William H. Ranlett
William H. Ranlett 'Sr.' was an American architect and author. He moved from the East Coast to San Francisco during the California Gold Rush and is thought to have brought Italianate-style architecture with him to the city. He was a partner in the architecture firm, "Homer, Ranlett and Morrison".
History
Ranlett published the periodical, The Architect.For two years between 1853 and 1854, Ranlett formed a partnership with Charles Homer, and Joseph H. Atkinson in order to design and build their own three houses in the Russian Hill neighborhood of San Francisco. It is thought that Ranlett had brought Italianate-style architecture to the city; and both the Atkinson House and Ranlett House were the first Italianate style buildings in San Francisco.
By 1857, Ranlett went bankrupt, and he had returned to the East Coast.
Some of Ranlett's architectural designs were published in Godey's Lady's Book, the influential fashion guide.
Works
- Tudor Hall, Bel Air, Maryland
- The Hermitage, Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey
- Cooleemee, Mocksville, North Carolina
- Colonel William Bratton House
- William H. Ranlett House, Castleton, Staten Island, New York City, New York
- Robert D. Baskerville House, Mecklenburg County, Virginia; also known as Eureka
- Myron Pardee House, 8 Montcalm Street, Oswego, New York; also known as Lakeside
- Charles Homer House, roughly at 40 Florence Street, San Francisco, California
- Joseph H. Atkinson House, 1032 Broadway, San Francisco, California
- William H. Ranlett House, 1637 Taylor Street, San Francisco, California; also known as “The House of Many Corners”
Publications
- William H. Ranlett, The Architect, Vol. I & II, New York: Dewitt & Davenport, 1847–1849. Reprint, New York: DaCapo Press, 1976.