John P. Gaynor facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Plant Gaynor
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| Born | circa 1826 |
| Died | June 9, 1888 |
| Nationality | Irish American |
| Occupation | Architect |
| Buildings | E. V. Haughwout Building; Palace Hotel |
John P. Gaynor (born around 1826, died 1888) was an important architect from Ireland. He worked in the United States during the 1800s, designing many famous buildings in New York City and San Francisco.
Contents
Life and Career of John P. Gaynor
Early Life and Training
John Plant Gaynor was born around 1826 in Dublin, Ireland. His father was a surveyor, which is someone who measures and maps land. John probably learned about architecture at a special school in Dublin.
Moving to America
In 1849, John Gaynor moved to the United States. He started working as an architect in New York City and Brooklyn in 1851. In New York, he became well-known for designing the E. V. Haughwout Building. This building was finished in 1857 and had a special front made of cast iron.
Work in San Francisco
In 1863, Gaynor moved to San Francisco. There, he designed many large hotels and office buildings. His most famous design in San Francisco was the original Palace Hotel. It was completed in 1875 but was later destroyed in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Some of his clients were rich businessmen like William C. Ralston and Asbury Harpending. John Gaynor stopped working in the mid-1880s and moved to his home in Oakland. He passed away there on June 9, 1888.
John P. Gaynor's Architectural Legacy
John Gaynor often used cast-iron parts in his buildings, both in New York and San Francisco. Cast iron was a new and exciting material for buildings back then.
His E. V. Haughwout Building in New York City was finished in 1857. A person who works to protect old buildings, named Margot Gayle, called it "The most celebrated of the cast-iron buildings still standing in New York City." Gaynor also designed the first buildings in San Francisco that used cast iron.
Even though many of his buildings have been destroyed over time, some of his remaining works are listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places. This means they are important historical places that should be protected.
Buildings Designed by John P. Gaynor
Here are some of the buildings John P. Gaynor designed:
- Halsey (Arbuckle) Building, Brooklyn, New York (1856, later taken down)
- E. V. Haughwout Building, New York, New York (1856–57, still standing and important)
- "Belmont" for William C. Ralston, Belmont, California (1865–68, still standing and important)
- Oriental Block, San Francisco, California (1867, later taken down)
- Harpending Block, San Francisco, California (1869, burned and rebuilt in 1871, then destroyed in 1906)
- Grand Hotel, San Francisco, California (1870, destroyed in 1906)
- Palace Hotel, San Francisco, California (1873–75, destroyed in 1906)
- Savings and Loan Society Building, San Francisco, California (1873–74, destroyed in 1906)
- Conservatory of Flowers, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California (1878, still standing and important)
- Phelan Building, San Francisco, California (1881, destroyed in 1906)
- Sharon Row, San Francisco, California (1884)
Images for kids
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E. V. Haughwout Building, New York, New York, 1856-57.
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Belmont, Belmont, California, 1865-68.
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Palace Hotel, San Francisco, California, 1873-75.
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Grand Court of the Palace Hotel, San Francisco, California, 1873-75.
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Savings and Loan Society Building, San Francisco, California, 1873-74.
