Weihe, Frick & Kruse

Historical Note

The firm of Weihe, Frick & Kruse was established in San Francisco in 1941. Ernest Weihe and Edward Frick were already established San Francisco architects, both having worked for John Bakewell and Arthur Brown Jr. in the firm of Bakewell & Brown (1905-1927). After the breakup of that firm Weihe partnered with Bakewell to form Bakewell & Weihe (1927-1941).

Large projects completed by Weihe, Frick & Kruse include the completion of Grace Cathedral (begun by Lewis P. Hobart), the San Francisco Hall of Justice, Stanford University's Encina Hall remodel, the Lake Merced Sports Center, the de Young Museum's Kress Collection addition, buildings for Humboldt State College, and several buildings for the UC Berkeley campus. Military projects include facilities at the Monterey Presidio, Castle Air Force Base, Fort Ord, and Hamilton Air Force Base (all in California). The firm also designed a national memorial of the Pacific in Hawaii.

Ernest Weihe (1893-1968) received his architecture degree from the Ecole des Beaux Arts in 1923. He went to work as an associate for Bakewell & Brown, and after the breakup of that firm in 1927, established Bakewell & Weihe with John Bakewell. The partnership ended in 1941, when Weihe established Weihe, Frick & Kruse with Edward Frick and Lawrence Kruse.

Edward Frick was born in 1891 and went to the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris in 1913 after winning a scholarship from the Architectural League of the Pacific Coast. When the school closed due to World War I, Frick returned to San Francisco to work for Bakewell & Brown. He enlisted in the military in a detachment of engineers and architects and was sent to France. When the war ended, he finished his studies at the Ecole and received his degree in 1922.

Lawrence Kruse was born in 1874 and received his architectural training at the Harvard School of Architecture, graduating in 1921.

William Fox (1911-1977) graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in architecture in 1939, and joined Weihe, Frick & Kruse in 1954. When the firm dissolved in 1965, Fox established his own firm and retained several Weihe, Frick & Kruse clients. After 1970, Fox worked for the United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, inspecting hospitals and government buildings for their adherence to fire and health safety codes. He also worked on home designs for builder Hal Rafael and engineers Wagner & Martinez.

From the guide to the Weihe, Frick & Kruse Collection, 1917-1976, (Environmental Design Archives.)