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Exhibits

Alfred Eichler Collection

Item set

Title
Alfred Eichler Collection
Description
The digitized architectural drawings and paintings presented are drawn from the Alfred Eichler Collection, within the Architecture Division of the Department of Public Works records housed at the California State Archives. Featured are public project designs created by Eichler from 1925 to 1962, such as San Quentin and Folsom Prisons, Sacramento’s Tower Bridge, state fairgrounds, Stockton and Napa state hospitals, School for the Deaf in Berkeley, state universities, Benicia State Capitol restoration, the Yountville Veterans Home, and others. Eichler utilized a variety of styles and art media to create these pieces. Each one is an example of the Golden State’s efforts to address the needs of a diverse and growing population through public projects.
Alfred William Eichler was born on August 7, 1895, in Shadyside, Missouri. The following year, his parents, Dr. Alfred Eichler Sr. and Laura Eichler, moved the family to San Francisco, where Alfred and his siblings grew up. When Alfred was around thirteen, he contracted spinal meningitis, leaving him deaf but not sidelined in his ambitions. Eichler attended St. Ignatius College Preparatory in San Francisco before studying at Columbia University and the Beaux Arts Institute of Design in New York. After a stint as a civilian architect for the U.S. Navy during World War I, he worked for private architectural firms in Washington D.C., New York, and San Francisco. In 1925, Eichler married Virginia Parks, the same year he was hired as a Senior Architectural Designer for the Division of Architecture of California’s Department of Public Works. Promoted to Supervisory Architect in 1949, Eichler oversaw the Design Section of the Division until his retirement on November 8, 1963. Upon retiring, Eichler had expressed his desire to travel abroad with his wife, but these plans were never realized, as, tragically, Virginia died the very next day. Eichler devoted much of his remaining years to his art, specifically sketching and painting scenes of historic California structures. He died in Sacramento on November 27, 1977.
Date
1925-1962
Identifier
Collection ID# F3274
Contributor
Department of Public Works, Architecture Division, Design Section
Creator
Alfred Eichler, Supervisory Architect
Publisher
California State Archives, a division of the California Secretary of State's Office
Rights
There are no known copyright restrictions associated with these digital images. We encourage the use of these images for personal, research, and educational purposes. For the use of any of these materials, please credit “The California State Archives, Alfred Eichler Collection, Identification # F3274 (+sub number).” Commercial use or distribution of the images or content is not permitted without prior written permission from the California State Archives. The California State Archives cannot be responsible for any use of these images, or any liability resulting from their use. For more information related to this collection or to request permission to use the images or content, please contact the California State Archives at Archivesweb@sos.ca.gov, or (916) 653-2246.
Format
400 dpi JPEG
Language
English
Subject
Eichler, Alfred W., 1895-1977
Architects -- California
Architecture -- California

Items

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  • eichler_f3274_415_7
    Caption: "Cordelia Crossing." Design study for Cordelia Overpass by Alfred Eichler. Project for Department of Public Works - Highways - Bridge Department.
  • eichler_f3274_415_1
    Caption: "Arroyo Seco Parkway, Hough Street Bridge. VII - LA - 205 - So. Pasa." Overpass study by Alfred Eichler. Negative. Project for Department of Public Works - Highways - Bridge Department.
  • eichler_f3274_414_10
    Caption: "Plan." Sketch of plan and elevation for Cordelia Overpass by Alfred Eichler. Project for Department of Public Works - Highways - Bridge Department.
  • eichler_f3274_414_7
    Plan and elevation for unidentified house by Alfred Eichler. Project for State Department of Public Works.
  • eichler_f3274_414_6
    Design and drawing of elevation for bridge in Twin Trees, Humboldt County, by Alfred Eichler. Project for Department of Public Works - Highways - Bridge Department.
  • eichler_f3274_414_5
    Design for unidentified bridge by Alfred Eichler. Project for Department of Public Works - Highways - Bridge Department.
  • eichler_f3274_414_4
    Design for unidentified bridge by Alfred Eichler. Project for Department of Public Works - Highways - Bridge Department.
  • eichler_f3274_414_3
    Design for unidentified bridge by Alfred Eichler. Project for Department of Public Works - Highways - Bridge Department.
  • eichler_f3274_413
    Caption: "South Portal Golden Gate Tunnel. Marin County approach to Golden Gate Bridge." Design and drawing by Alfred Eichler. Built. Project for Department of Public Works - Highways - Bridge Department.
  • eichler_f3274_412_1
    Design and drawing of elevations for Sixteenth Street Bridge by Alfred Eichler. Built. Project for Department of Public Works - Highways - Bridge Department.
  • eichler_f3274_411
    Design and drawing of Palisades Beach Road Tunnel by Alfred Eichler. Built. Project for Department of Public Works - Highways - Bridge Department.
  • eichler_f3274_410
    Caption: "Monterey Pass Overhead. VII - L.A. - 26- A." Design and drawing of Monterey Pass Overhead by Alfred Eichler. Built. Project for Department of Public Works - Highways - Bridge Department.
  • eichler_f3274_409
    Caption: "Cordelia Crossing." Architectural form and drawing of Cordelia Overpass by Alfred Eichler. Built. Handwritten notes on drawing: "State highway railroad overcrossing." Project for Department of Public Works - Highways - Bridge Department.
  • eichler_f3274_408
    Caption: "Award - Am. Inst. Steel Construction." Architectural form of steel bridge on Redwood Highway; drawing by Alfred Eichler. Award Winner, American Institute of Steel Construction. Constructed for beauty of design. Built. Project for Department of Public Works - Highways - Bridge Department.
  • eichler_f3274_407_14
    Design drawing of Tower Bridge by Alfred Eichler. Project for Department of Public Works - Highways - Bridge Department.
  • eichler_f3274_407_13
    Caption: "Tower Design No. 11. Adapted from No. 9." Design drawing of M Street Bridge tower by Alfred Eichler. The Tower Bridge replaced the M Street Bridge, which was removed in 1935. Project for Department of Public Works - Highways - Bridge Department.
  • eichler_f3274_407_11
    Design drawing of M Street Bridge by Alfred Eichler depicting upper part of lamp standard, April 2, 1934. The Tower Bridge replaced the M Street Bridge, which was removed in 1935. Project for Department of Public Works - Highways - Bridge Department.
  • eichler_f3274_407_10
    Design drawing of M Street Bridge tower by Alfred Eichler, April 18, 1934. The Tower Bridge replaced the M Street Bridge, which was removed in 1935. Project for Department of Public Works - Highways - Bridge Department.
  • eichler_f3274_407_9
    Drawing of lamp design for M Street Bridge by Alfred Eichler, February 15, 1934. The Tower Bridge replaced the M Street Bridge, which was removed in 1935. Project for Department of Public Works - Highways - Bridge Department.
  • eichler_f3274_407_7
    Preliminary design drawing by Alfred Eichler of M Street Bridge Machinery House; the drawing, dated February 9, 1934, is labeled "superseded." The Tower Bridge replaced the M Street Bridge, which was removed in 1935. Project for Department of Public Works - Highways - Bridge Department.
  • eichler_f3274_407_6
    Design drawing of M Street Bridge by Alfred Eichler depicting lower part of lamp standard, April 3, 1934. The Tower Bridge replaced the M Street Bridge, which was removed in 1935. Project for Department of Public Works - Highways - Bridge Department.
  • eichler_f3274_407_5
    Final design drawing of transverse and longitudinal elevations for tower, M Street Bridge, by Alfred Eichler. The Tower Bridge replaced the M Street Bridge, which was removed in 1935. Project for Department of Public Works - Highways - Bridge Department.
  • eichler_f3274_407_3
    Caption: "M Street Bridge, Watchman's Shelter. Division of Architecture." Design drawing by Alfred Eichler, March 28, 1934. The Tower Bridge replaced the M Street Bridge, which was removed in 1935. Project for Department of Public Works - Highways - Bridge Department.
  • eichler_f3274_407_2
    Design drawing of Tower Bridge concrete towers by Alfred Eichler. Project for Department of Public Works - Highways - Bridge Department.
  • eichler_f3274_403
    Caption: "Design No. 7." Pencil drawing of Tower Bridge concrete towers by Alfred Eichler. Note on drawing: "Tower subject to modification." Project for Department of Public Works - Highways - Bridge Department.
  • eichler_f3274_402
    Charcoal drawing of Tower Bridge concrete towers, including Sacramento view of Tower Bridge; drawing by Alfred Eichler. Project for Department of Public Works - Highways - Bridge Department.
  • eichler_f3274_401
    Aerial perspective of Tower Bridge concrete towers including views of Sacramento and portal to Tower Bridge showing Gate House. Design and drawing by Alfred Eichler. Project for Department of Public Works - Highways - Bridge Department.
  • eichler_f3274_400
    Pen and ink perspective drawing of a preliminary design for Tower Bridge concrete towers by Alfred Eichler. Note improvement of the towers in final design. Project for Department of Public Works - Highways - Bridge Department.
  • eichler_f3274_399
    Caption: "Bridge Across Sacramento River at Sacramento … General Plan," c. 1934. Engineering drawing of Tower Bridge concrete towers. Working drawing. Project for Department of Public Works - Highways - Bridge Department.
  • eichler_f3274_398
    Perspective drawing of Tower Bridge concrete towers by Alfred Eichler. Built in 1935-1936. Project for Department of Public Works - Highways - Bridge Department.
  • eichler_f3274_397
    Final design of Tower Bridge concrete towers; pen and ink drawing by Alfred Eichler. Built. Project for Department of Public Works - Highways - Bridge Department.
  • eichler_f3274_396
    Preliminary design study of Tower Bridge concrete towers by Alfred Eichler. Project for Department of Public Works - Highways - Bridge Department.
  • eichler_f3274_395
    Preliminary design study of Tower Bridge, Sacramento, by Alfred Eichler. Project for Department of Public Works - Highways - Bridge Department.
  • eichler_f3274_393A_3
    Drawing by Alfred Eichler of office building for Division of Highways. Project for Department of Public Works - Highways; district unidentified.
  • eichler_f3274_393
    Caption: "District X Office Bldg. Division of Highways Stockton, State Department of Public Works Division of Architecture." Design by W. E. Manhart; drawing by Alfred Eichler. Built. Project for Department of Public Works - Highways - District X - Stockton.
  • eichler_f3274_392
    Color rendering of office building by Alfred Eichler. Project for Department of Public Works - Highways - District XI - San Diego.
  • eichler_f3274_391
    Caption: "District XI Office Bldg. Division of Highways San Diego, State Department of Public Works Division of Architecture - Geo. B. McDougall State Architect." Design by H. S. Hazen; pencil drawing by Alfred Eichler, c. 1934. Built. Project for Department of Public Works - Highways - District XI - San Diego.
  • eichler_f3274_390
    Caption: "Highway Office Building San Diego." Color rendering by Alfred Eichler; design by H. S. Hazen. Built. Project for Department of Public Works - Highways - District XI - San Diego.
  • eichler_f3274_389
    Caption: "District XI Office Bldg. Division of Highways San Diego, State Department of Public Works Division of Architecture - Geo. B. McDougall State Architect." Design by H. S. Hazen; drawing by Alfred Eichler. Built. Project for Department of Public Works - Highways - District XI - San Diego.
  • eichler_f3274_388_1
    Caption: "Office District III Division of Highways." Design by H. S. Hazen; perspective drawing by Alfred Eichler. Built 1936. Project for Department of Public Works - Highways - District III - Marysville.
  • eichler_f3274_388
    Caption: "Office District III Division of Highways Marysville." Design by H. S. Hazen, drawing by Alfred Eichler, c. 1935. Built 1936. Project for Department of Public Works - Highways - District III - Marysville.
  • eichler_f3274_387
    Pencil drawing by Alfred Eichler of office building for the Division of Highways, Los Angeles. Not built like this. Project for Department of Public Works - Highways - District VII - Los Angeles.
  • eichler_f3274_385
    Pencil drawing by Alfred Eichler of office building for the Division of Highways, Los Angeles. Project for Department of Public Works - Highways - District VII - Los Angeles.
  • eichler_f3274_384
    Design of office building for the Division of Highways, Los Angeles, by Anson Boyd and R. D. Murray. Built. Project for Department of Public Works - Highways - District VII - Los Angeles.
  • eichler_f3274_383
    Caption: "Exhibit of Division of Architecture, Sketch for Painting on Exterior Northwest Wall of Booth." Sketch for painting by Alfred Eichler; executed and built. Mural by Dobelstein and assistant, 1931. Project for Department of Public Works - Architecture - Administration.
  • eichler_f3274_378
    Water color by Alfred Eichler depicting Sacramento Public Works and Motor Vehicles buildings. Built in 1937. Project for Department of Public Works - Administration.
  • eichler_f3274_377a
    Caption: "Public Works Bldg. Sacramento." Drawing by Alfred Eichler. This part owned by Division of Highways. Other addition owned by Department of Finance. Project for Department of Public Works - Administration.
  • eichler_f3274_377
    Preliminary design and drawing of Public Works Building, Sacramento, by Alfred Eichler. Project for Department of Public Works - Administration.
  • eichler_f3274_376
    Drawing of Sacramento Headquarters Office Building, Department of Public Works, by Alfred Eichler. Built in 1936. Design by H. S. Hazen. Project for Department of Public Works - Administration.
  • eichler_f3274_375
    Christmas party poster drawn by Alfred Eichler. Project for Department of Public Works.