Kurke & Associates Architectural Records

Collection

Identifier: Mss 196

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Kurke & Associates architectural records include the following four series: Print Material, Blueprint, Drawing, and Photographs. The Print Material Series is arranged chronologically by date. The Blueprint Series is arranged alphabetically by state, then city. Within each city the blueprints are arranged chronologically by the project date. The Drawing Series is arranged alphabetically by building, if known..

The Print Material Series spans the years 1935 to 1962. The Series consists of one box of print material, including mostly specifications and historical and biographical information. The Print Material Series is located in Mss 196.

The Blueprint Series spans the years 1915 to 1963. The Series consists of nine drawers of blueprints. The buildings within the blueprints are predominantly located in North Dakota, with a few in South Dakota and Minnesota, and also in Michigan. Each building is referenced by its project name and date indicated on the blueprint. Beneath each project name is/was the address for the building (if in the address is a possible address). Buildings of interest include the Liberty Memorial Bldg. in Bismarck, N.D.; the First National Bank Bldg., the L.B. Hanna Residence, Union Storage and Transfer, all in Fargo, N.D.; and several buildings at the State Hospital in Jamestown, N.D.

The Drawing Series contains presentation drawings from various projects around North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota. The drawings span the years from 1954 to 1960, with numerous drawings being undated. Some drawings remain in the Blueprint Series because they contain informational blueprints on the same page. Likewise, there are some blueprints that possess artistic qualities, but if they had more informational value they were left in the Blueprint Series. Presentation drawings of interest include a large number from the Minot Air Force Base, Minot, N.D. The Drawing Series contains 66 individual drawings.

Dates

1915-1963.

Creator

Kurke Associates (Fargo, N.D.) (Organization)

Access

The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the NDSU Archives.

Copyrights

The NDSU Archives does not own the copyrights.

History

The architectural firm Kurke & Associates was the largest architectural office in Fargo for several years. With its roots in Fargo dating from 1913, it became one of the most influential architectural firms in Fargo, and perhaps in all of North Dakota.

William F. Kurke was born on December 9, 1889, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Kurke attended high school at North High School in Minneapolis, serving as a quarterback for the football team. He later attended the University of Minnesota and the University of Pennsylvania. Throughout his schooling he worked in various architectural offices, giving him both the schooling and the practical experience needed to be an architect. Kurke entered the architecture profession in 1913, and was married in the same year to Elise Pomerleau on November 27, in Fargo.

During World War I, Kurke served locally as a Minuteman, giving speeches at public gatherings to sell bonds in support of the American war effort. During World War II he served on the fuel oil rationing board in Fargo.

Throughout his architectural career, William F. Kurke designed many landmarks in North Dakota, many of which are on the National Register of Historic Places. In Fargo, Kurke designed the First National Bank Bldg., the Ivers Apartments and Funeral Home, the top two floors of the Powers Hotel, the Graver Hotel, Fargo Food Products Company, the Stone, Ordean & Wells Bldg., the Pioneer Mutual Life Insurance Bldg., and the L.B. Hanna residence. Kurke is to date the single largest contributing architect on the campus of North Dakota State University in Fargo. He designed Morrill Hall, Churchill Hall, Dolve Hall, Dinan Hall, Memorial Union, the Presidents House, the Library, Stockbridge Hall, the former North Stadium, the former Van Es Hall, and the second and third additions to Minard Hall. In Bismarck Kurke designed St. Mary’s Procathedral, the Liberty Memorial Bldg., and was one of the participating architects who designed the state Capitol.

On January 17, 1965, William F. Kurke died. Kurke was a member of the Elks, Eagles, and Knights of Columbus Clubs, as well as the last remaining charter member of the Rotary Club. Kurke was also a member and a former president of the North Dakota Architects Association, and served as a director of the First National Bank in Fargo. He was interested in outdoor activities, loved hunting and fishing, and was a great football fan. Elise Kurke died February 23, 1998.

Mr. and Mrs. Kurke had two sons, Robert W. and John M; and one daughter, Donna Reed. In 1946, John M. Kurke joined his father as a partner in the family firm, and in 1958 he took over management of the firm when his father retired. John M. Kurke began working with the firm part time while he attended North Dakota Agricultural College, graduating with his degree in architecture in 1942. During World War II he was employed by the Boeing Aircraft Corporation in Seattle, Washington. With Boeing, John M. Kurke was assigned to the educational branch as a staff architect aiding in the development of the B-17 Flying Fortress, and later with the B-29 Superfortress.

In 1979 an exhibit was put on display at North Dakota State University honoring William F. Kurke. The exhibit was scheduled for the spring meeting of the North Dakota Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, and in thanks of a scholarship established by Mrs. Kurke to aid second year architecture students.