W. C. Kruger Architectural Drawings
Collection
Identifier: SWA-Kruger-Drawings
Scope and Content
This collection contains 183 drawers. Each drawer houses between 20 and 800 drawings and related materials, such as negatives, photographs, paintings, topographical maps and scrapbooks.
This extensive collection documents the career of architect W.C. Kruger and his impact on the architectural heritage of New Mexico. In 1986, W.C. Kruger and Associates, one of New Mexico’s oldest architectural firms, donated architectural drawings, perspectives, photographs and records to the John Gaw Meem Collection of Southwestern Architecture. Spanning five decades, the collection starts in 1937 and includes the Carrie Tingley Hospital in Truth or Consequences, the state capitol complex in Santa Fe, the New Mexico State Penitentiary, the master plan for the City of Los Alamos--then a secret research laboratory known as the Manhattan District Corps of Engineers Facility, Santa Fe Downs Racetrack, UNM’s Humanities Building, T-VI in Albuquerque, The Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute (SIPI), private residences (some for fellow architects) and scores of military installations and hospitals.
This extensive collection documents the career of architect W.C. Kruger and his impact on the architectural heritage of New Mexico. In 1986, W.C. Kruger and Associates, one of New Mexico’s oldest architectural firms, donated architectural drawings, perspectives, photographs and records to the John Gaw Meem Collection of Southwestern Architecture. Spanning five decades, the collection starts in 1937 and includes the Carrie Tingley Hospital in Truth or Consequences, the state capitol complex in Santa Fe, the New Mexico State Penitentiary, the master plan for the City of Los Alamos--then a secret research laboratory known as the Manhattan District Corps of Engineers Facility, Santa Fe Downs Racetrack, UNM’s Humanities Building, T-VI in Albuquerque, The Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute (SIPI), private residences (some for fellow architects) and scores of military installations and hospitals.
Dates
- circa 1930-1989
Access Restrictions
The collection is available for research. However, due to security concerns, some access is limited. There are documents in this collection that can only be viewed with written permission from the particular institution. These institutions include the New Mexico State Penitentiary and other correctional facilities; military establishments, such as Kirtland Air Force Base; and banks.
Copy Restrictions
Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publication or distribution.
Biographical Information
W. C. Kruger was born on July 28, 1910, and grew up in Raton, New Mexico. In 1934, he obtained his degree from Oklahoma A. and M. College. After graduation, he joined the State Planning Board of New Mexico (1934-1936), and served as New Mexico state architect from 1936-1937. He began his private architectural practice by establishing the firm of Kruger and Clark (1937-1942), practiced alone (1942-1945), and then opened W.C. Kruger and Associates (1946-1986), with offices in Santa Fe, Albuquerque and Los Angeles at the height of his commissions. In addition to New Mexico, Kruger became a licensed architect in Texas, Colorado, Washington, Idaho and California. He served on the New Mexico Board of Examiners for architects (1937-1951). From 1949 until his death, Kruger maintained his membership in the American Institute of Architects (AIA). Over the years, Kruger’s firm hired a list of distinguished associates, including Kenneth Clark, Marion C. Smith, J.W. Savage, J.W. Keeran, D.W. Tinkham, Norman Meckliem and Rembert C. Alley. During his fist partnership, Kruger and Clark accepted numerous commissions from the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in the late 30s and early 40s.
As an architect, Kruger’s name is well known for creating the laboratory where the first atomic bomb was developed in Los Alamos. Kruger died in June of 1984, at the age of seventy four. He left an impressive legacy by directing one of the largest and most successful architectural/engineering firms ever assembled in New Mexico.
As an architect, Kruger’s name is well known for creating the laboratory where the first atomic bomb was developed in Los Alamos. Kruger died in June of 1984, at the age of seventy four. He left an impressive legacy by directing one of the largest and most successful architectural/engineering firms ever assembled in New Mexico.
Extent
183 drawers
Language of Materials
English
Processing Information
The collection is unprocessed.
- Title
- W. C. Kruger Architectural Drawings, circa 1930-1989
- Status
- Completed
- Date
- © 2010
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is in English
Revision Statements
- Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.
Repository Details
Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository
Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
cswrref@unm.edu
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
cswrref@unm.edu