Who designed Lakewood Cemetery Chapel, the Washburn Water Tower and Butler Square? Harry Wild Jones was a contemporary -- and occasional rival -- of St. Paul architects Cass Gilbert, who designed the Minnesota State Capitol, and Clarence Johnston, the official state architect. Their careers have enjoyed a recent revival, thanks to a number of books. Now Jones gets his turn, with Elizabeth Vandam's engaging "Harry Wild Jones: American Architect."
Vandam's book is more personal biography than scholarly tome. She paints an intimate portrait of Jones as a devoted family man, world traveler and park advocate. The black-and-white photos, lovely architectural sketches and catalog of Jones designs add to the narrative, which traces his life from a New England upbringing to his 52-year career in Minneapolis.
His memorable buildings include the 1890 Minnetonka Yacht Clubhouse, a confection of shingled conical forms, two pavilions for Lake Harriet, the charming Superintendent's Cottage that still graces Loring Park, the fortress-like 1908 Butler Brothers Warehouse and the 1912 Nicollet Baseball Park. The Lakewood Cemetery Chapel, with its Byzantine-style dome and interior mosaic tile laid by Venetian artisans, is his crowning achievement. As Jones' wife, Bertha, said, "Its stunning beauty lessens the sting of inexpressible grief."
Jones was laid to rest there in 1935. Vandam's book illuminates his impressive legacy.
LINDA MACK
