The architectural firm of Braunton & Liebert began practice in Vancouver, B.C., before they moved to Washington State in 1915. Finding work in Seattle was rough, however, and after designing only 2 structures in the northwest, they relocated to El Paso, Texas. In the Sun City, the firm, comprised of Hugh Braunton and John Grant Liebert, was very successful and drew up a number of iconic El Paso buildings, including the Martin and Lanier buildings downtown. Shortly before 1930, Braunton entered into a partnership with Percy McGhee, and although a brief relationship (1928 to 1931) they designed what is arguably Braunton's signature work in El Paso: the 1930 Austin High School. Associate architect for this building was Guy Fraser.
The school was built in two stages; 1930 saw the completion of the wing that runs west to east, then the north-south wing was added in 1932. The contractor for the project was R.E.McKee, who, according to the Wikipedia article on the school, aided financially when the City ran out of construction funds. Additionally, McKee may have added design elements to the west facade of the 1932 addition, which differs from the north, but that remains speculative. It was more likely done by associate Architect Guy L. Fraser, as the firm of Braunton & McGhee had ceased to exist by 1932. The stadium is named Robert E. McKee Stadium in honor of the contractor's financial contribution.
The school was completed in September 1930, with its public open house scheduled for Saturday evening, September 13.
The school is designed in a striking Spanish Renaissance style, and is defined by a spectacular entryway with a flanking 103 foot tower. The corner entryway inside the "L", the area called the Quad, is equally spectacular.
Recently I dropped by and took some fresh pictures of the school, and it is handsome. There are renovations and additions afoot, so kindly excuse the construction equipment in some of the pictures.
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Text, modern photography and research provided to Sketchclub.net by Mark Stone, citing newspaper articles and advertisements accessed through newspapers.com. Also citing:
-- Biographical Dictionary of Architects in Canada 1800-1950, staff, http://dictionaryofarchitectsincanada.org/node/1194
-- Wikipedia, Austin High School (El Paso, Texas), contributors, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austin_High_School_(El_Paso,_Texas)
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| Photograph taken by Mark Stone November 2020 |
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| Photograph taken by Mark Stone November 2020 |
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| Photograph taken by Mark Stone November 2020 |
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| Photograph of the 1954 Yearbook cover courtesy of Classmates dot com at https://www.classmates.com/yearbooks/Austin-High-School/151116?page=1 |
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| Photograph courtesy of the El Paso Independent School District |
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| Photograph taken by Mark Stone November 2020 |
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| Photograph taken by Mark Stone November 2020 |
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| Photograph taken by Mark Stone November 2020 |
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| Photograph taken by Mark Stone November 2020 |
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| Clipping from the 10/13/1930 El Paso Times via newspapers.com |
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| Clipping from the 10/13/1930 El Paso Times via newspapers.com |
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| Photograph taken by Mark Stone November 2020 |
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| Photograph taken by Mark Stone November 2020 |
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| Photograph taken by Mark Stone November 2020 |
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| Photograph taken by Mark Stone November 2020 |
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| Photograph taken by Mark Stone November 2020 |
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| Photograph taken by Mark Stone November 2020 |
