{{Short description|American architect}} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2019}} {{about|the Michigan architect|the cornetist|Claire Allen (musician)}}
{{Infobox person | name = Claire Allen | image = <!-- filename only, no "File:" or "Image:" prefix, and no enclosing brackets --> | alt = <!-- descriptive text for use by speech synthesis (text-to-speech) software --> | caption = | birth_name = <!-- only use if different from name --> | birth_date = {{Birth date|1853|07|29|df=yes}} | birth_place = Pontiac, Michigan, United States | death_date = {{Death date and age|1942|12|22|1853|07|29|df=yes}} | death_place = Jackson, Michigan, United States | nationality = | other_names = | occupation = Architect | years_active = | known_for = | notable_works = }}
[[Image:Pawpawcourthouse.jpg|thumb|190px|Van Buren County Courthouse in Paw Paw, Michigan. [http://sites.google.com/site/claireallenarchitect/ More Images]]]
[[Image:Lee County Savings Bank.jpg|thumb|190px|Lee County Savings Bank in Fort Madison, Iowa [http://sites.google.com/site/claireallenarchitect/. More Images]]]
'''Claire Allen''' (July 29, 1853 – December 22, 1942) was an American architect prominent in southern Michigan in the early twentieth century, and best known for designing several county courthouses. He was considered a "master regional architect".<ref name="allen">{{cite web|url=https://www.planning.org/events/activity/4184290/ |title=Claire Allen: A Regional Architect Master Based in Jackson, Michigan|publisher=Michigan Historic Preservation Network|date=May 15, 2014| access-date=March 10, 2019}}</ref>
Allen moved to Jackson as a young man, and practiced architecture there for 52 years. He established the architectural firm of Claire Allen & Sons. Some 100 structures are attributed to him.<ref name="allen"/> His firm designed numerous examples of American neoclassical architecture and Colonial Revival buildings in Michigan and Iowa, but had a range that encompassed Beaux-Arts Classical and Jacobean Revival styles as well.<ref name="allen"/>
==Works== Some buildings designed by Allen include:
{|class="wikitable sortable" |- ! style="width:24%;" | Work ! style="width:10%;" | Image ! style="width:13%;" | Place ! style="width:7%;" | Year ! style="width:15%;" | Historic ! style="width:6%;" | Map ! style="width:24%;" class="unsortable"| Notes |- | [http://www.smithgroup.com/articles/761/media/550.jpg '''The Post Office'''] | | Jackson, Michigan | 1932 | | [https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=102100429034320296001.00045fc80901facb7d486&z=15 Map] | Now Consumers Energy's headquarters - [http://blog.mlive.com/citpat_history/2007/12/jacksons_mail_has_come_a_long.html Post Office History] |- | [https://web.archive.org/web/20111006145344/http://aagallery.aadl.org/gallery/d/26670-2/hhaa086.gif ''' Glazier Office Building'''] | | Ann Arbor, Michigan | | | [https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=102100429034320296001.0004612cf0cc6ab09fe03&ll=42.57279,-84.515558&spn=2.839709,4.735107&z=8 Map] | |- | [http://www.iaalpena.com/images/ann_arbor_armory.jpg'''The Armory Building'''] | | Ann Arbor, Michigan | 1911 | | [https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=102100429034320296001.0004612cf0cc6ab09fe03&ll=42.57279,-84.515558&spn=2.839709,4.735107&z=8 Map] | |- | '''Clock Tower Building''' | | Chelsea, Michigan | 1907 | [https://web.archive.org/web/20120304024446/http://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/hso/sites/44408.htm State Registered] | [https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=102100429034320296001.000462695cf8f54b43c43&z=17 Map] | |- | '''Glazier, George P., Memorial Building''' | | Chelsea, Michigan | 1901-1902 | [https://web.archive.org/web/20120304024208/http://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/hso/sites/15053.htm State Registered] | [https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=102100429034320296001.000462695cf8f54b43c43&z=17 Map] | Constructed to house the Chelsea Savings Bank |- | '''Methodist Episcopal Church''' | | Chelsea, Michigan | 1899 | | [https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=102100429034320296001.000462695cf8f54b43c43&z=17 Map] | First United Methodist Church - [http://www.chelseaumc.org/about-us/our-church-history/ Church History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106013806/http://www.chelseaumc.org/about-us/our-church-history/ |date=January 6, 2009 }} |- | '''Welfare Building''' | | Chelsea, Michigan | 1906 | [https://web.archive.org/web/20120304024442/http://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/hso/sites/15066.htm State Registered] | [https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=102100429034320296001.000462695cf8f54b43c43&z=17 Map] | |- | [https://web.archive.org/web/20110716213608/http://www.hal.state.mi.us/argusimages/Z000/z00008/z0000868.jpg '''First National Bank'''] | | Corunna, Michigan | 1903 | [https://web.archive.org/web/20110606145123/http://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/hso/sites/13631.htm State Registered] | [https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=102100429034320296001.0004612cf0cc6ab09fe03&ll=42.57279,-84.515558&spn=2.839709,4.735107&z=8 Map] | Now called the Surbeck Building |- | [https://web.archive.org/web/20070811010355/http://woodlands.lib.mi.us/hudson/hudson.html '''Hudson Public Library'''] | | Hudson, Michigan | | | [https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=102100429034320296001.0004612cf0cc6ab09fe03&ll=42.57279,-84.515558&spn=2.839709,4.735107&z=8 Map] | |- | [https://web.archive.org/web/20110818192148/http://jackson.mi.us/images/manorh.jpg '''Cascades Manor House'''] | | Jackson, Michigan | 1929 | | [https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=102100429034320296001.00045fc80901facb7d486&z=15 Map] | [https://web.archive.org/web/20081201171213/http://jackson.mi.us/Parks/manor.asp Cascades Manor House History] |- | [https://web.archive.org/web/20120220091708/http://www.jacksonfriendlyhome.com/pictures/JFHPictures%20352.jpg '''Jackson Friendly Home'''] | | Jackson, Michigan | 1908 | | [https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=102100429034320296001.00045fc80901facb7d486&z=15 Map] | [https://web.archive.org/web/20090107025834/http://www.jacksonfriendlyhome.com/JFH%20History.html Jackson Friendly Home History] |- | [http://www.cardcow.com/images/set35/card00164_fr.jpg '''Jackson Masonic Temple'''] | | Jackson, Michigan | 1908 | City of Jackson Registered | [https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=102100429034320296001.00045fc80901facb7d486&z=15 Map] | Currently being renovated for the Jackson School of the Arts - [http://www.mastermason.com/michiganlodge50/ Masonic Temple History] |- | '''The Ida Stiles Memorial Church''' | | Jackson, Michigan | 1895 | | | [http://blog.mlive.com/citpat_history/2008/12/church_developed_along_lansing.html The Ida Stiles Memorial Church Article] |- | [https://web.archive.org/web/20110716213559/http://www.hal.state.mi.us/argusimages/Z000/z00013/z0001384.jpg '''Avon School District No. 5 Schoolhouse'''] | | Rochester, Michigan | 1889 | [https://web.archive.org/web/20110606145042/http://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/hso/sites/11023.htm State Registered] | [https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=102100429034320296001.0004612cf0cc6ab09fe03&ll=42.57279,-84.515558&spn=2.839709,4.735107&z=8 Map] | |- | [https://web.archive.org/web/20110716213639/http://www.hal.state.mi.us/argusimages/series9/933fb71b.jpg '''Hillsdale County Courthouse'''] | | Hillsdale County, Michigan | 1898-1899 | [https://web.archive.org/web/20120304024329/http://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/hso/sites/5734.htm National and State Registered] | [https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=102100429034320296001.0004612cf0cc6ab09fe03&ll=42.57279,-84.515558&spn=2.839709,4.735107&z=8 Map] | |- | [https://web.archive.org/web/20110716213938/http://www.hal.state.mi.us/argusimages/series9/936783bb.jpg '''Gratiot County Courthouse'''] | | Gratiot County, Michigan | 1902 | [https://web.archive.org/web/20120304024337/http://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/hso/sites/5657.htm National and State Registered] | [https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=102100429034320296001.0004612cf0cc6ab09fe03&ll=42.57279,-84.515558&spn=2.839709,4.735107&z=8 Map] | |- | [https://web.archive.org/web/20110716213803/http://www.hal.state.mi.us/argusimages/series9/93a6834b.jpg '''Ionia County Courthouse'''] | | Ionia County, Michigan | 1885 | [https://web.archive.org/web/20110606145822/http://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/hso/sites/6826.htm National and State Registered] | [https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=102100429034320296001.0004612cf0cc6ab09fe03&ll=42.57279,-84.515558&spn=2.839709,4.735107&z=8 Map] | Claire Allen was the contractor on this building |- | [https://web.archive.org/web/20110607103756/http://www.co.jackson.mi.us/images/facilities/courthouse.jpg '''Jackson County Courthouse'''] | | Jackson County, Michigan | 1927-1928 | City of Jackson Registered | [https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=102100429034320296001.00045fc80901facb7d486&z=15 Map] | [https://web.archive.org/web/20051201172359/http://www.co.jackson.mi.us/departments/facilities/courthouse.asp Courthouse History] |- | [https://web.archive.org/web/20110716213348/http://www.hal.state.mi.us/argusimages/series10/950b3b8b.jpg '''Shiawassee County Courthouse'''] | | Shiawassee County, Michigan | 1903-1906 | [https://web.archive.org/web/20120304024421/http://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/hso/sites/13655.htm National and State Registered] | [https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=102100429034320296001.0004612cf0cc6ab09fe03&ll=42.57279,-84.515558&spn=2.839709,4.735107&z=8 Map] | |- | '''Van Buren County Courthouse''' | thumb|100px | Van Buren County, Michigan | 1901 | [https://web.archive.org/web/20131103231456/http://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/hso/sites/14402.htm National and State Registered] | [https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=102100429034320296001.0004612cf0cc6ab09fe03&ll=42.57279,-84.515558&spn=2.839709,4.735107&z=8 Map] | |- | [http://img.groundspeak.com/waymarking/large/068bd057-71f2-49d1-b332-ca24ebca8146.jpg '''Paw Paw Library'''] | | Paw Paw, Michigan | 1920 | [http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMEHB State Registered] | [https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=102100429034320296001.0004612cf0cc6ab09fe03&ll=42.57279,-84.515558&spn=2.839709,4.735107&z=8 Map] | |- | [https://web.archive.org/web/20110716213812/http://www.hal.state.mi.us/argusimages/Z000/z00007/z0000785.jpg '''Mendon Township Library'''] | | St. Joseph County, Michigan | 1905 | [https://web.archive.org/web/20110606145505/http://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/hso/sites/13415.htm State Registered] | [https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=102100429034320296001.0004612cf0cc6ab09fe03&ll=42.57279,-84.515558&spn=2.839709,4.735107&z=8 Map] | |- | [https://web.archive.org/web/20110716213836/http://www.hal.state.mi.us/argusimages/Z000/z00007/z0000769.jpg '''Berthold Rummler House'''] | | Jackson, Michigan | 1904 | [https://web.archive.org/web/20110606145602/http://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/hso/sites/24498.htm State Registered] | [https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=102100429034320296001.00045fc80901facb7d486&z=15 Map] | |- | [https://web.archive.org/web/20110716213932/http://www.hal.state.mi.us/argusimages/Z000/z00016/z0001638.jpg '''Lake Odessa Depot'''] | | Ionia County, Michigan | 1889 | [https://web.archive.org/web/20110606145626/http://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/hso/sites/6909.htm State Registered] | [https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=102100429034320296001.0004612cf0cc6ab09fe03&ll=42.57279,-84.515558&spn=2.839709,4.735107&z=8 Map] | Also known as Detroit, Lansing and Northern Railway Depot |- | [https://web.archive.org/web/20110716213958/http://www.hal.state.mi.us/argusimages/series3/5d19df7b.jpg '''The Rickman Hotel'''] | | Kalamazoo, Michigan | 1907-1908 | [https://web.archive.org/web/20110606150229/http://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/hso/sites/18772.htm National Registered] | [https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=102100429034320296001.0004612cf0cc6ab09fe03&ll=42.57279,-84.515558&spn=2.839709,4.735107&z=8 Map] | |- | '''Lee County Savings Bank''' | thumb|100px | Fort Madison, Iowa | | | [https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=41.137296,-92.774048&spn=3.102732,5.657959&z=8&msid=102100429034320296001.000463467fe539fcee80d Map] | Fort Madison Downtown Commercial Historic District |- | '''Clinton County Courthouse''' <ref name=wonderous>[https://openlibrary.org/b/OL485525M The wondrous works of Claire Allen, architect]</ref> | thumb|100px | Clinton, Iowa | 1892-1897 | | [https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=41.137296,-92.774048&spn=3.102732,5.657959&z=8&msid=102100429034320296001.000463467fe539fcee80d Map] | [https://web.archive.org/web/20080112191354/http://www.clintoncountyiowa.com/history.htm History] |}
==Maps== *[https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=102100429034320296001.000462695cf8f54b43c43&z=17 Claire Allen Buildings in Chelsea, Michigan]<ref name="wonderous"/> *[https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=102100429034320296001.00045fc80901facb7d486&z=15 Claire Allen Buildings in Jackson, Michigan]<ref name="wonderous"/> *[https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=102100429034320296001.0004612cf0cc6ab09fe03&ll=42.57279,-84.515558&spn=2.839709,4.735107&z=8 Claire Allen Buildings in Michigan]<ref name="wonderous"/> *[https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=41.137296,-92.774048&spn=3.102732,5.657959&z=8&msid=102100429034320296001.000463467fe539fcee80d Claire Allen Buildings in Iowa]<ref name="wonderous"/>
==External links== Photos *[http://sites.google.com/site/claireallenarchitect/ Photos] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100622041503/http://sites.google.com/site/claireallenarchitect/ |date=June 22, 2010 }}
Books *[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/33879420?tab=holdings#tabs Buildings in Jackson] *[https://www.amazon.com/dp/0195093798 Buildings of Michigan] *[https://books.google.com/books?id=pfoBfEoLRrgC&dq=belding+%22claire+allen%22&pg=PA239 Ionia County, Michigan] *[http://www.worldcat.org/wcpa/oclc/33879650 Illustrations of a few public and private buildings, the work of Claire Allen, architect.] *[https://www.amazon.com/dp/1585360007 Our Hometown: America's History, As Seen Through the Eyes of a Midwestern Village] *[https://books.google.com/books?id=CKX8VIZj4xMC&dq=%22claire+allen%22+architect&pg=PA107 Lansing] *[https://books.google.com/books?id=Xd-mh9r0zEkC Traveling Through Time] *[https://openlibrary.org/b/OL485525M The wondrous works of Claire Allen, architect]
Web Articles *[http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/b/o/y/Lee-Boyer/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-0007.html Information about Claire Allen] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20071027115203/http://www.cityofjackson.org/departments/communitydevelopment/pdfs/hdc/DowntownSurveyText.pdf Jackson Downtown Survey - pdf] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20080828134057/http://gdledgehistsoc.org/history-school.html Grand Ledge History]
==References== {{reflist|2}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Allen, Claire}} Category:1853 births Category:1942 deaths Category:Architects from Michigan Category:People from Pontiac, Michigan Category:19th-century American architects Category:20th-century American architects