Deaton, Charles, 1921-1996

The noted architect, Charles Deaton was born in Clayton, N.M. on January 1, 1921. Largely self-taught, he developed an interest in design in high school and became a commercial artist before the start of World War II. During the war, Deaton worked at a Lockheed defense plant in Calif. where he became acquainted with aircraft engineering and aerodynamic design. These experiences stood him in good stead after the war when he worked as an industrial designer creating the designs for modular furniture, bank vault doors and security systems. As an architect, some of the notable structures he was responsible for include: Wyoming National Bank of Caspar (1961-1964); Englewood (Colo.) Savings and Loan Association (1965); and the Jackson County Sports Complex (Arrowhead Stadium), Kansas City, Mo. (1968). He began construction on his most famous and often photographed design for the Sculptured House a.k.a. Sleeper House (used by Woody Allen in his 1973 motion picture) in 1963, but was unable to complete the project due to financial reversals in 1969 after the exterior had been finished. The Sculpture House was eventually completed and enlarged in 2003. The work was based on architectural plans created by Deaton with his associate, Nick Antonopolous in 1992. The house has since been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Deaton was also noted for creating and patenting the board games: Gusher (1940), Magnetic Minesweeper (1941) and Country Road (1978). He died in Morrison, Colo. on December 18, 1996.