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.