Elmer George Withers 1881–1938
Elmer George Withers, Fort Worth architect, was born in Caddo Peak, Texas, in 1881. Withers evidently learned the practice of architecture as an apprentice or through correspondence courses because there is no record that he received a formal education in the field. He moved to Fort Worth from Stamford, Texas, in 1910 and established a practice there. His early works included the Jones County Courthouse (1910–11) in Anson, the Marion County Courthouse (1912) in Jefferson, and the Armstrong County Courthouse (1912) in Claude.
During the 1910s and 1920s Withers traveled to small communities throughout the state in search of jobs. The tactic proved to be a successful one, and he was able to land numerous commissions for schools, civic buildings, stores, and service stations.
In 1928 Withers founded his own firm, the Elmer G. Withers Architectural Company, Incorporated.
As was the common practice at the time, Withers designed his works in a wide variety of historical revival styles: Neo-classical, Spanish Renaissance, and Italian Renaissance. During the 1930s he also produced a number of buildings in the Moderne or art deco idiom.
In the late 1930s Withers also designed two additional courthouses, the Ector County Courthouse (1938) in Odessa and the Upshur County Courthouse (1938) in Gilmer, both of them in a spare, streamlined Moderne style.
Christopher Long, "WITHERS, ELMER GEORGE," Handbook of Texas Online
During the 1910s and 1920s Withers traveled to small communities throughout the state in search of jobs. The tactic proved to be a successful one, and he was able to land numerous commissions for schools, civic buildings, stores, and service stations.
In 1928 Withers founded his own firm, the Elmer G. Withers Architectural Company, Incorporated.
As was the common practice at the time, Withers designed his works in a wide variety of historical revival styles: Neo-classical, Spanish Renaissance, and Italian Renaissance. During the 1930s he also produced a number of buildings in the Moderne or art deco idiom.
In the late 1930s Withers also designed two additional courthouses, the Ector County Courthouse (1938) in Odessa and the Upshur County Courthouse (1938) in Gilmer, both of them in a spare, streamlined Moderne style.
Christopher Long, "WITHERS, ELMER GEORGE," Handbook of Texas Online