Architects of Little Rock: 1833-1950

Wittenberg and Delony, Architects

GEORGE HYDE WITTENBERG George Wittenberg was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, the son of Frank T. and Ruth Hyde Wittenberg, on September 5, 1892. In 1914, he married Minnie Greenfield. Their children were George Jr., Gordon, and Kathryn. Wittenberg served on the Little Rock Planning Commission, devoting his time to help with the orderly planning of the growth of the city as it became a large metropolitan area. One of Wittenberg’s proudest accomplishments was the success of his years of work to develop the Arkansas Architectural Act, passed by the state legislature in 1941. Before that time, there was no licensing, and no qualifications were required to practice architecture in Arkansas, although doctors, lawyers, and most other professionals were required to be licensed. For many years, this was not a major problem . But as technology advanced and plumbing, sanitary sewers, electricity, telephones, central heating and air-conditioning, and the use of steel and concrete developed, the need to have carefully trained and experienced architects became imperative to safeguard life, health, and property. Wittenberg felt it was extremely important that the practice of architecture in the state be regulated. After the act was passed, he was appointed the first president of the Arkansas Architects Licensing Board, and he was issued license #1. Wittenberg died December 29, 1953. LAWSON L. DELONY Like George Wittenberg, Lawson Delony was also born in Little Rock, though a bit earlier, on March 4, 1890. His parents were W. L. and Cypert Delony. In 1920, Lawson Delony married Joyce Manning; their children were Irene Joyce and Lawson L. Jr. Delony served his profession and community in many ways: he was president of the Arkansas chapter WITTENBERG AND DELONY, ARCHITECTS ◆ 79 Wittenberg and Delony, Architects Little Rock Central High School at 1500 S. Park Street. Constructed in 1927 in the Collegiate Gothic style and hailed as the most beautiful high school in America, it was designed by Mann and Stern, Architects; John Parks Almand, Architect; and Wittenberg and Delony, Architects. Courtesy of Janet Warlick/CameraWork. of the American Institute of Architects, a vestry member at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, president of Lakeside Country Club, director of the Florence Crittenden Home, president of Pin Oak Duck Club, and a member of Trinity Masonic Lodge 694, the Arkansas Consistory, and Scimitar Shrine Temple. One of the activities he considered most important was his membership on the Little Rock Waterworks Commission, where he served continuously from 1949 to 1972. He felt that the commission ’s greatest accomplishment during that time was the creation of Lake Maumelle. He died November 20, 1976. WITTENBERG AND DELONY, ARCHITECTS George Wittenberg and Lawson Delony were friends from early childhood. Both developed an early interest in architecture, influenced by the excellent work of Little Rock architects of the period—George Mann, Charles Thompson, and Thomas Harding Sr. They worked (usually for no pay) for local architects after school and during summer vacation. After high school, both young men enrolled in the School of Architecture at the University of Illinois. Their choice was influenced by Theo Sanders, a rising young Little Rock architect who had graduated from there in 1902. Along with Sanders, they were among the first native-born Little Rock architects to receive a college-level education in architecture . After finishing at Illinois, Wittenberg went to work for an architect in Peoria, Illinois, and Delony went to New York for a year at Columbia and worked part time for the famous architect George B. Post. By 1918, Wittenberg had returned to Little Rock and gone to work as a draftsman for Thomas Harding Sr. By this time, Delony had finished his World War I service, wherein he had been sent to France, and he, too, returned to Little Rock. In 1919, they formed the firm of Wittenberg and Delony, Architects. The first office was in room 408 in the Southern Trust Building (now Pyramid Place) on the corner of Second and Center Streets. Their description was “two drawing boards, two stools, one waste basket, and no secretary.” They had very little 80 ◆ WITTENBERG AND DELONY, ARCHITECTS Robinson Auditorium on Markham and Broadway Streets, Little Rock, Arkansas. Constructed in 1939 in the Neoclassical Revival style, it was designed by Wittenberg and Delony, Architects, and E. J. Stern, Architect. Project rendering by George Trapp. Wittenberg, Delony, and Davidson’s archives. startup money. To produce income, Wittenberg arranged a part-time...