Cameron, Ralph, 1892-1970

Hide Profile

Ralph Cameron (1892-1970) practiced both commercial and residential architecture in San Antonio and was instrumental in establishing the Texas Society of Architects.

From the description of Ralph Cameron papers, 1914-1970. (University of Texas Libraries). WorldCat record id: 29017261

Born in San Antonio in 1892, Ralph Cameron worked in the office of Alfred Giles at age 13 and later, at age 14, worked for Adams and Adams. In 1914 he established his own office in San Antonio but his career was interrupted by the advent of World War I where Cameron served in the U.S. Army. While recuperating from a war injury in France, Cameron attended the Ecole des Beaux-Arts at Fontainbleau. He returned to San Antonio in 1919.

Cameron worked in the popular revival styles of the early 20th century. Among his buildings were designs for the Medical Arts Building in San Antonio (1925-26), the competition winning Grace Lutheran Church (1928) and the United States Post Office and Courthouse in San Antonio (1934-37) for which he served as associate architect with Paul Philippe Cret. Cameron also worked extensively in South Texas designing such buildings as the McAllen High School (1928), the A.Y. Baker House in Edinburg (1930) and the Hidalgo State Bank in Mercedes (1929).

Cameron is best known for his residential design in San Antonio and, in 1920, he was appointed to the board of directors of the San Antonio Development Co. which developed the historic Monte Vista neighborhood. Cameron's work spanned the entire range of revival styles popular in the early decades of the 20th century, including the Italianate home of Dr. Oscar H. Judkin (1920), the Georgian Revival Hornaday House (1929), and the Colonial Revivial Spencer-Noble House (1929).

Cameron was again called to serve his country in World War II, serving with the Army Corps of Engineers in North Africa, Italy, France, Germany and Austria. He continued to serve in the Army Reserve Corps until his retirement in 1952.

Cameron was involved in professional affairs and served as the first president for the Texas Society of Architects, as well as the West Texas Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. He was elected to Fellowship in the American Institute of Architects in 1937.

-Lila Knight

From the guide to the Ralph Cameron (1892-1970) Drawings and architectural records, San Antonio, South and Central Texas Accession number(s): 1979003; 1979004; 1982009; 1990003., 1914-1970, (Alexander Architectural Archive, University of Texas Libraries, The University of Texas at Austin.)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Ralph Cameron (1892-1970) Drawings and architectural records, San Antonio, South and Central Texas Accession number(s): 1979003; 1979004; 1982009; 1990003., 1914-1970 Alexander Architectural Archive, University of Texas Libraries, The University of Texas at Austin.
creatorOf Cameron, Ralph, 1892-1970. Ralph Cameron papers, 1914-1970. University of Texas Libraries
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Adams and Adams. corporateBody
associatedWith Adams and Adams (consulting architects). corporateBody
associatedWith Atlee Ayres. person
associatedWith Birdsall P. Briscoe. person
associatedWith Cret, Paul Philippe, 1876-1945 person
associatedWith Gesecke and Harris? corporateBody
associatedWith Giesecke and Harris? corporateBody
associatedWith Hornaday Residence (San Antonio, Tex.) corporateBody
associatedWith J. Clyde Williams - Architect. corporateBody
associatedWith Medical Arts Building (San Antonio, Tex.) corporateBody
associatedWith Paul Cret, consulting. person
associatedWith Paul Cret (consulting architect). person
associatedWith Paul Cret, consulting, W. E. Simpson Co., structural engineers, R. F. Taylor, mechanical engineer. person
associatedWith Ralph H. Cameron. person
associatedWith R. Newell Waters. corporateBody
associatedWith Simpson (consulting engineer). corporateBody
associatedWith Spencer-Noble Residence (San Antonio, Tex.) corporateBody
associatedWith United States Courthouse (San Antonio, Tex.) corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
San Antonio (Tex.)
Texas--San Antonio
Texas
Subject
Architecture, Domestic
Architecture, Domestic
Beaux
Colonial Revival
Commercial buildings
Commercial buildings
Design development drawings
Georgian Revival
Public buildings
Public buildings
San Antonio (Tex.)
Schematic drawings
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1892

Death 1970

Related Descriptions
Information

Permalink: http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6201kmx

Ark ID: w6201kmx

SNAC ID: 48884922