Walter F. Fontaine


Walter F. Fontaine was an American architect of French Heritage from Woonsocket, Rhode Island.

Early life

Fontaine was born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts in 1871 to parents that had moved there from Woonsocket. When he was a young child, his family moved back to Woonsocket, where his father, John B. Fontaine was a prominent building contractor.
He was educated in the local schools, and began his architectural training in 1887 in the office of Willard Kent, a local architect.

Career

After additional training in Europe in 1893, he worked for the Providence firm of Stone, Carpenter & Willson. Near the end of his time there, he was responsible for the construction supervision of that firm's Providence Public Library and Union Trust Co. Building.
In 1901 he returned to Woonsocket where he opened his own office. Beginning in 1903, he worked with Elmer H. Kinnicutt as Fontaine & Kinnicutt. This association ended upon Kinnicutt's death in January 1910. In 1921, his two sons, Oliver W. and Paul N. Fontaine began working for him. By this time Joseph M. Mosher was also associated with the office. In 1935, both sons became partners in the newly reorganized firm of Walter F. Fontaine & Sons. It remained as such until the elder Fontaine's death.
Fontaine was a member of the AIA and served for a time as Vice President of the Rhode Island chapter. He was also a member of the Rhode Island State Planning Board.

Legacy

After their father's death, his sons reorganized the firm as Walter F. Fontaine, Inc. It remained as such until 1942, when Paul left to participate in the war effort. In his brother's absence, Oliver opened his own office, which remained active into the 1970s. Several of his buildings have been included in the National Register of Historic Places.

Personal life

Fontaine and his wife, Obeline Lucier Fontaine, died during the Hurricane of 1938 at their summer home in Charlestown, Rhode Island.

Architectural works

While in private practice, 1901-1903:
Fontaine & Kinnicutt, 1903-1910:
  • St. Mary R. C. Church, 46 Valley St., Willimantic, CT - This church suffered a major fire in May 2013, but expects to rebuild.
  • St. Aloysius R. C. Church, 2 Beck St., Newburyport, MA
  • Malcolm Campbell House, 129 Lyman St., Woonsocket, RI
  • Our Lady of Good Help R. C. Church, 1063 Victory Hwy., Mapleville, RI
  • Our Lady of Lourdes R. C. School, 211 Carleton St., Providence, RI
  • French Worsted Mills, 153 Hamlet Ave., Woonsocket, RI - Demolished 2012.
  • Ervin Dunn House, 168 Woodland Rd., Woonsocket, RI
  • St. Lawrence R. C. Church, 624 Woonasquatucket Ave., Centerdale, RI
  • St. Matthew R. C. School, 909 Lonsdale Ave., Central Falls, RI
  • First M. E. Church, 17 Federal St., Woonsocket, RI
  • Notre Dame R. C. High School, 62 Fales St., Central Falls, RI
  • St. Casimir R. C. Church, 228 Child St., Warren, RI - Demolished.
  • Elisha D. Clarke House, 144 Woodland Rd., Woonsocket, RI
  • Holy Family R. C. Church, 414 S. Main St. Woonsocket, RI
  • Pothier School, 1044 Social St., Woonsocket, RI
Private practice, 1910-1935:
Walter F. Fontaine & Sons, 1935-1938:
  • Nurses' Home, Rhode Island State Sanitarium, Pascoag, RI
  • Our Lady of Victories R. C. Church, 130 Prospect St., Woonsocket, RI
  • Slatersville School, 83 Greene St., Slatersville, RI
  • St. John R. C. Church, 20 Washington St., Arctic, RI
  • St. Luke R. C. Church, 108 Washington Rd., Barrington, RI - Altered beyond recognition.
  • St. Joseph R. C. Church, 1200 Mendon Rd., Woonsocket, RI - The last building Fontaine designed before his death.