April 15, 1924, Volume 5, Number 7

Smith Memorial Hall

So Long Brother Ricker
The bulk of this issue focuses on the passing of Brother and Master Architect Dr. Nathan Clifford Ricker. Great detail is given to his personal biography, as well as professional biography. To be honest, I have read a lot about the man over the years, but I would venture to say that this may be the most heavily detailed account of his life that I have ever read.
Brother Ricker died at age 81, after being stricken by a "sudden attack of apoplexy," which is an old timey broad term that generally means that someone went unconsious and died shortly soonafter. Later, on page 5, it is noted that he, more specifically, suffered a stroke.
There is an account of his memorial serivce, which was held at the Smith Memorial Hall on the University of Illinois Campus. The service was lead by the local Masonic Lodge. In addition, an honor guard from the Knight Templars was also present for the festivities. In tribute to his service to the University of Illinois, Dean K. C. Babcock had many kind words about Brother Ricker's professional life.
Letters of condolence were sent to the Archi by founding brother Leo M. Bauer, and former Grand Council Member Arthur E. Benson.

Welcome Polyklitos!
The final column of page 8 heralds the arrival of another new chapter. The ninth new chapter, to be named Polyklitus is forming at the Carnegie Institute in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. We have Iktinos Brother Alfred E. Naser to thank for assisting in forming this chapter.

Prohibition

I can't believe it took this long for it to occur to me that the past few issues of the Archi have been during the Prohibition era of our country! Prohibition took place from 1920-1933 in the United States. It makes sense that the fraternity would make no mention of alcohol, one way or the other, in its national publication. However, on page 2, Mnesicles brother George Dahl writes from London to say:

My best wishes to all our brothers of our dear old fraternity and may they all
prosper. I drink to their health (remember i am not in dry territory.)

Well, Brother Dahl, from this end of time and space, I drink a toast to you as well.

April 1922, Vol. 3, No. 1, Part 1

If you ever wondered how our fraternity dealt with the way architectural education shifted from a 4 year program to a more solidified professional degree, look no further than the article by Rexford Newcomb, called "Tendencies in the Architectural Education World. At first blush, it looks like a boring article about education, but don't be fooled. It is focused directly on Alpha Rho Chi. And what i find interesting is that the questions that he posed are questions we are still asking ourselves today: Who Are We? What are Allied Arts? How do we deal with some chapters having a 5 year program, while others have a 4-2 program? Quoting him:

"The Fraternity may find itself face to face with the difficulty of reconciling a double-headed condition, we may find ourselves eventually with chapters in which the men remain four years, other chapters in which they remain six years, and still others in which the period of study covers six years with the later four only given over to what may be called professional work."

Just this past weekend, at the summer meeting, we held a pretty tense discussion how to classify graduate students in a 4-2 program; does the member become an alumnus before or after the M.Arch?

For an Honorary Member, Brother Newcomb took a lot of care when writing this paper. It's inspiring whenever I see a faculty member develop a passion for this fraternity.

The majority of this Archi is dedicated to the 7th National Convention held January 2-3 in Champaign, Illinois.

This is the convention where Kallikrates AND Andronicus join the fray. Kallikrates sent two members (who we would today call colonists) where it appears they were promptly given their pledge pins (in ceremonious fashion, of course), and given a seat at the convention table. Later, they were incorporated into the Anthemios pledge class and made brothers. It is indicated that they would go back to UVA and with the help of the Grand Lecturer, initiate the rest of the members of the Kallikrates Club.

The Andronicus Club was approved to become a chapter. This decision was endorsed by Rexford Newcomb, as it was revealed that he taught at USC before coming to teach at the University of Illinois. (This little parallel between Rex and myself, I admit, has filled me with glee.)

This is also the convention where the distinction was made between Faculty Brother and Honorary Brother, and Cass Gilbert was approved to become a Master Architect.. Take note that this approval took place prior to the death of Nathan Clifford Ricker, which happens in 1924.

It is also reported that Dave, the father of Anthemians Dave & G.R. Postle, was initiated as an Honorary member. It didn't take that long for us to get some legacies, did it?

The Formal Banquet took place at the Beardsley Hotel, which was located on Neil Street, just north of Main. Apparently, it was the nicest hotel in town at the time. Photo provided above, thanks to the University of Illinois Archives.

February 1, 1923 Vol. 4 No. 4 Part 2

View Larger Map

There's a lovely Letter from Myron Dassett of Mnesicles who is studying at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris. He remarks that he has been visited by 2 brothers, Ed Loye & Galen Oman, and enjoys his letters from Howard Gilman. Notably, he is also visited by Professor S. Chatwood Burton - The same sculptor who created the bust of Dr. Ricker.
During his visit, the two of them dined with the "famous mural painter from St. Paul." It sounds like it might have been an unforgettable evening for young Brother Dassett. A brief google search did not result in any signifcant hits on Mr. Lalonde.

It's noted that he lives at "No. 1 rue de l'Albaye. I was unable to find that address in a google search, and according to my Par Arrondisment book that street does not exist in paris. But could it be rue de l'Abbaye? I sure hope so. It's an adorable place on the left bank, walking distance to the Louvre, the Tuileries and Notre Dame Cathedral.

Another Famous Sculptor is making waves, as Mr. Lorado Taft is noted as "giving a series of lectures at the University [of Illinois]. Mr Taft is well known by our Anthemian Brethren as the sculptor of University of Illinois' beloved sculpture "The Alma Mater."

The inscription on that sculpture reads: "To thy happy children of the future, those of the past send greetings."

Fitting, no?

January 1st, 1923 - Vol IV, No. 3

I did intend to start at the very beginning, and work my way forward. But because I haven't completely unpacked my luggage from the summer meeting, the 1st four available issues which I printed to share with my brothers during that meeting, are still tucked away.

However, as an Anthemian, I found it to be only fitting that I inaugurate this project with an Archi issue that bears the portrait of Dr. Nathan Clifford Ricker on the cover. Hello Doctor Nathan Clifford Ricker, Sir!

This issue does talk a lot about the chapter houses of our chapters at the time. Theres a nice rendering of the proposed home for Mnesicles. There is a picture of a house for Anthemios that doesn't look like the house I thought they lived in prior to their current place at 1108. It is stunning.

There is a detailed article about Howard Dwight Smith, who is an Honorary Brother at Demetrios. It appears he used to work for John Russell Pope.

I never knew that the Memorial bust of Dr. Ricker was sculpted by a professor from University of Minnesota. (Not a Brother)

I have a feeling I will like the correspondence recaps the most.
For example.. Brother Christen (Chapter as of yet unknown), suggest that the archi start some sort of "Lonely Hearts" section:

"I wonder if i could make use of the Archi as a 'fusser' bureau? I have a couple of very fine young lady friends in Los Angeles, and should like to find out if any of the Andronicus brothers would be interested to meet them. They are both "good lookers" and mighty good scouts."

He continues:

"In fact, one of them was my sweetheart back in the days when I was in school. If Carl Juline Anthemios is in L.A. he might be interested."

Oh Carl.. you must have really made an impression on Brother Christen.

Note to self: research what it means to be a "good scout."