sketchclub.net: The El Paso Sketch Club: 1922 Hughes Apartments

Located at 1414 N. Piedras, just up the hill from 5 Points, is a building nearly a century old and full of grace. Built by Frank Hughes and opened on August 1, 1922, the building is designed in a Colonial style, a red brick structure on a rock foundation. When opened, it had 12 apartments with all the amenities. Erection cost was initially planned to be $50.000, however actually totaled $65,000 for the Ponsford & Sons built structure.

Frank Hughes, a former El Paso resident, was moving back to the Sun City after three years in Philadelphia. In addition to building this property, he also opened a Auto Parts store and purchased another unspecified apartment structure.

The introductory article, published in the May 17, 1922 El Paso Herald, describes the units: "The building is of Colonial architecture in design. The halls are spacious and continue the Colonial spirit. They are homelike and attractive, being furnished with deep pyle rugs, Colonial furniture and artistically lighted. Six of these apartments will contain four rooms and a bath and six have five rooms and a bath. Each apartment is equipped with a portable bed (in a bed closet), and will have stoves with firefly lighters and Lorraine oven heat regulator and ice box with outside icing doors, obviating necessity of having the iceman enter the apartment. There is also a delivery door for packages. The closets are numerous and spacious."

Part of the design for the building provided for exterior pergolas including garden seats and a large goldfish pool.

Interestingly, although the architect's drawing of the building is published in a period newspaper and the design is discussed endlessly, we are not able to find the name of the architect. The building was probably designed by S.E. Patton, who has designed a number of interesting similar buildings and was one of El Paso's most creative early architects. We have featured some of his work at the Trost Society, including his landmark First Baptist Church (please see https://www.facebook.com/TrostSociety/posts/3006115879506458) and the Delevan Court (at https://www.facebook.com/TrostSociety/posts/3102688863182492). Again, the identity of the architect is not documented, however our money is on S.E. Patton.

***************

Text, research and modern photography provided to sketchclub.net by Mark Stone, citing period newspaper articles accessed at newspapers.com