naa087 LeRoy Gaarder papers Archives Staff University of Minnesota Libraries undated
University of Minnesota Libraries Minneapolis, MN 55455
EAD encoding by Karen Spilman, May 2005 English Gaarder, LeRoy, 1891- LeRoy Gaarder papers 1922-1972 University of Minnesota Libraries. Northwest Architectural Archives, Manuscripts Division 35 cubic feet Collection contains tracings, blueprints and building and detail photographs of numerous churches designed by architect LeRoy Gaarder. N 87 English Mezzanine; High Bay Administrative Information Restrictions on Access

Available for use in the Manuscripts Division reading room. Advance notice is requested.

 Restrictions on Use

There are no restrictions on the use of materials in this collection. Copies can be requested if the condition of the originals warrants it.

Preferred Citation

LeRoy Gaarder papers (N 87), Northwest Architectural Archives, University of Minnesota Libraries, Minneapolis.

 Acquisition

The collection was donated to the Northwest Architectural Archives by LeRoy Gaarder.

Arrangement

The collection is organized alphabetically by commission name into the following series:

Working Drawings Photographs Foldered materials Biographical Note

LeRoy Gaarder was born in Highland, WI on June 10, 1891. He attended schools there and in Dodgeville, WI, and entered St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, for one year (1912-1913). He attended night school at the University of Minnesota from 1913 to 1917 while working in the offices of Minneapolis architects Cecil Chapman (1913), Mather & Boerner (1914), Howard Parsons (1915), and Purcell & Elmslie (1916-1917). Gaarder moved back to Dodgeville and opened his own architectural practice (1917-1918), then entered the U.S. Army for a year. In 1920, he moved to Albert Lea, MN and opened a private office. During the Depression, Gaarder was appointed consulting designing architect on the staff of the Public Buildings Administration in Washington, DC. He later became a project planner for the regional office of the PBA in Seattle (1943-1944). Except for these breaks, Gaarder practiced in Albert Lea until well into the 1960s. He died in Albert Lea on January 27, 1982.

Gaarder's first commissions were for the Farmers First National Bank (Rake, IA, 1920) and Salem Lutheran Church (Albert Lea, 1922). These were followed by St. Paul's Lutheran Church (1925-1926) and Queen of Angels Church (1937), both in Austin, MN. Gaarder received an appointment for life from Bishop Kelly of the Winona (MN) Diocese to plan Queen of Angels Church and Parish Building, a project that lasted 27 years.

 Scope and Content Note

The collection contains original tracings, blueprints, and building and detail photographs of numerous churches, including Queen of Angels (1937-1962) and Christ Episcopal Churches (1950-1951), both in Austin, MN; St. Luke's English Evangelical Lutheran Church (Waukesha, WI, 1925-1926); Danish Baptist Church (1925) and Zion Lutheran Church (1947, 1966, 1972), both in Albert Lea.

 Additional Finding Aid

An unpublished finding aid with detailed contents is available in the Manuscripts Division.

 Related Material in the Northwest Architectural Archives

William G. Purcell papers (N 3)

 Index Terms

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the University of Minnesota Libraries. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.

Gaarder, LeRoy, 1891- -- Archives Church architecture -- Middle West -- Designs and plans Detailed Contents

The following section contains a detailed list of the materials in the collection.

Working Drawings Albert Lea 1929

City Hall Alterations

Leroy Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN.

Pencil on paper

Albert Lea Board of Education 1932

Leroy Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN

Pencil on paper

Albert Lea High School 1929

School Building Alterations and Additions

Leroy Gaarder

Albert lea, MN.

Blueprint

Albert Lea High School n.d.

Gymnasium Addition

Leroy Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN.

Pencil on paper, ink on paper

Alden MN Grade School 1924

School Building Alteration

Leroy Gaarder

Alden, MN.

Blackline

Alden, MN 1923

High School

Gaarder and Gaarder

Alden, MN.

Ink on linen

All Saints n.d.

Parish

Leroy Gaarder

New Richland, MN.

Pencil on paper

Barlow,Mr. Frank 1923

Business Block

Gaarder and Gaarder

n.l.

Ink on paper

Beck,Mr. R.N. 1939-1940

Residence

Leroy Gaarder

Atchison, KS.

Pencil on paper

Berglund, John 1940

Garage Building Alterations

Leroy Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN.

Pencil on paper

Blacklin,Mrs. Martain 1926

Store and Apartment Building

Gaarder and Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN.

Pencil on paper

Blue Earth n.d.

Garage

Leroy Gaarder

n.l.

Pencil on paper

Blue Earth Canning Co. 1926

Unidentified

Blue Earth, MN.

Ink on paper

Blunt, Dr. F. 1936

Garage Alterations and Additions

Leroy Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN.

Pencil on paper

Borland,G.R. 1941

Residence Alterations

Leroy Gaarder

n.l.

Pencil on paper

Burns, Mrs. H.D. 1941

Flower Stands

Leroy Gaarder

n.l.

Blueprint

Car,Mr. Joe 1920-1921

Bungalow

Gaarder and Gaarder

Ink on paper

Ink on paper

Christ Episcopal 1950-1951

Church

Leroy Gaarder

Austin, MN.

Pencil on paper

Church of the Ressurection n.d.

Leroy Gaarder

n.l.

Blueline

Clifford Larson Monument 1939

Shop

Leroy Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN..

Pencil on paper

Consolidated Schools 1941, 1922-1923

Leroy Gaarder

Freeborn, MN.

Pencil on paper

Court House n.d.

Clock Tower Renovation

Gaarder and Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN.

Ink on paper

Danish Baptist 1925

Church

Gaarder and Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN.

Ink on paper

Dr.'s Palmer, Palmer and Kaasa 1935

Leroy Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN.

Pencil on paper

Earlandson Implement Co. 1945

Farm Machinery Warehouse

Leroy Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN.

Pencil on paper

Edwards Manufacturing Co. 1923

Gaarder and Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN.

Blueprint

Einar M. Demund and Gulbrandson 1927

Store and Office Building

Leroy Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN.

Blueprint

Elks Club 1946

Club Room Alterations

Gaarder and Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN.

Pencil on paper

Emmons High School 1935

Gymnasium and Additions

Leroy Gaarder

Emmons, MN.

Blacklines on paper

English Eveang. Lutheran Church of the Resurrection 1924

Gaarder and Gaarder

Milwaukee, WI.

Ink on Linen

Farmers First National 1920

Bank

Gaarder and Gaarder

Rake, IA.

Ink on Linen

Feiligh,Dr. W.P. 1929

Residence Alterations

Leroy Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN.

Pencil on paper

First English Ev. Lutheran 1928

Church

Leroy Gaarder

Platteville, WI.

Ink on paper

First Lutheran 1932-1934

Church

Leroy Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN.

Pencil on paper

First Lutheran 1950

Parish House

Leroy Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN.

Pencil on paper

First National bank 1941

Cooling System

Leroy Gaarder

Kiester, MN.

Pencil on paper

First Presbyterian 1929

Church

Leroy Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN.

Ink on paper

Ford Garage 1940

Building

Leroy Gaarder

n.l.

Pencil on paper

Freeborn County 1934

Court House Alterations

Leroy Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN.

Pencil on paper

Gaarder, Leroy n.d.

Office and Residence

Leroy Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN.

Pencil on paper

Gaarder,Jerome 1947

Student Desk

Leroy Gaarder

n.l.

Blueline

Geneva MN 1926

School Building Alterations

Gaarder and Gaarder

Geneva, MN.

Pencil on paper

Glenville 1966

Elementary School Addition

Leroy Gaarder

Glenville, MN.

Pencil on paper

Grace Lutheran 1953-1966

Church

Leroy Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN.

Pencil on paper, Blueline

Grace lutheran n.d.

Church

Leroy Gaarder

Dodgeville, WI.

Blueprint

Grand Meadow 1940

Church

Leroy Gaarder

Grand Meadow, MN.

Pencil on paper

Gullixon,Dr. A 1921

Residence

Gaarder and Gaarder

n.l.

Ink on Linen

Hollandale 1927

Grade School New Addition

Leroy Gaarder

Hollandale, MN.

Blueprint

Hollandale 1927

School New Addition

Dist. No. 142

Leroy Gaarder

Hollandale, MN.

Pencil on paper

Hollendale Reform 1926

Church

Gaarder and Gaarder

Hollandale, MN.

Ink on paper

Home Investment n.d.

Building

Leroy Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN.

Blueprint

Hotel Albert 1936

Hotel

Leroy Gaarder

n.l.

Pencil on paper

Issac Watson League 1938

Fair Building

Leroy Gaarder

Owatonna, MN..

Pencil on paper, Blueprint

J.G. Mehl Plumbing 1925

Shop

Gaarder and Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN.

Pencil on Paper

J.O. n.d.

Residence

Leroy Gaarder

n.l.

Pencil on paper

Jorgenson, Mrs. Charles n.d.

Residence

312 Grove Avenue

Gaarder and Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN.

Ink on paper

Klemme,Mr. J.P. 1927

Residence Alterations

Leroy Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN.

Pencil on paper

Korfhage, Earl W. 1946

Shop and Garage Building

Leroy Gaarder

Austin, MN.

Pencil on paper

Lyle 1946

Chapel

Leroy Gaarder

Lyle, MN.

Pencil on paper

Manual Train. 1924

Building

Gaarder and Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN.

Ink on paper

Maple Island 1927

Grade School New Addition; Dist. 142

Leroy Gaarder

Hollandale, MN.

Pencil on paper

Marpe, Arthur n.d.

Residence

Leroy Gaarder

n.l.

Pencil on paper

Martin, Walter 1924

Residence

Gaarder and Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN.

Pencil on paper

McKellar, Dr. A. 1924

Business Building

Leroy Gaarder

Blanchville, WI.

Blackline on paper

Meighen, Mrs. John F.D. 1924

Model House

Gaarder and Gaarder

Shoreland Heights, MN.

Ink on paper

Meir Wolf and Sons 1936

Furniture Store Addition

Leroy Gaarder

Austin, MN.

Pencil on paper

Motor Inn Company 1927

Garage Alterations and apartment

Leroy Gaarder

Blue Earth, MN.

Pencil on paper

Motor Inn Company 1927

Garage

Leroy Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN.

Ink on paper

Mower County 1940

Court House Alteration Plans

Leroy Gaarder

Austin, MN.

Pencil on paper

Murtaugh 1928

School

Dist.no. 54

Leroy Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN.

Pencil on paper

N.J. Whitney's Restaurant 1940

Building

Leroy Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN.

Pencil on paper

Naeve Hospital 1939

Laundry Building

Leroy Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN.

Pencil on paper

Nelson, Lyman 1941

Residence

Leroy Gaarder

n.l.

Pencil on paper

Nelson, Mr. Clarence 1936

Residence

Leroy Gaarder

Geneva, MN.

Pencil on paper

New Richland 1927

High School Gymnasium

Leroy Gaarder

New Richland, MN.

Ink on paper

North Broadway Park 1933

Band Stand

Leroy Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN.

Pencil on paper

Norwegian Lutheran 1931

Church

Leroy Gaarder

Manchester, MN.

Ink on paper

Olson, Walford 1952

Residence

Leroy Gaarder

Kasson, MN.

Pencil on paper

Otis, Andy, Bernie and Burt 1926

Log Cabin

Leroy Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN.

Pencil on paper

Our Lady of Loretto n.d.

Church

Leroy Gaarder

Brownsdale, MN.

Pencil on paper

Palmer, Dr. C.F. 1936

Residence Addition

Leroy Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN.

Pencil on paper

Park Veiw Lutheran 1942

Church

Leroy Gaarder

Austin, MN.

Pencil on paper

Peterson, Dave 1926

Residence

Gaarder and Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN.

Ink on paper

Peterson, Judge Norman 1928

Residence

Shorland Heights

Leroy Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN.

Ink on paper

Peterson, Mr. Earl 1936

Residence

Kenwood Avenue

Leroy Gaarder

Austin, MN.

Ink on paper

Presbyterian Church 1961

Church Addition and Alterations

Leroy Gaarder

Hayfield, MN..

Pencil on paper

Produce State Bank 1926

Bank

Gaarder and Gaarder

Hollandale, MN.

Pencil on paper

Queen of Angels 1955

Church

Leroy Gaarder

Austin, MN.

Pencil on paper

Queen of Angels 1937

Church School and Auditorium

Leroy Gaarder

Austin, MN.

Blueprint

Queen of Angels 1945

Church School Addition

Leroy Gaarder

Austin, MN.

Pencil on paper

Queen of Angels 1956-1959

Church School Addition

Leroy Gaarder

Austin, MN.

Pencil on paper

Queen of Angels 1951,1972

Convent

Leroy Gaarder

Austin, MN.

Pencil on paper

Queen of Angels 1960, 1962, 1956, 1959

Church

Leroy Gaarder

Austin, MN.

Pencil on paper

Queen of Angels 1954, 1956

Church

Leroy Gaarder

Austin, MN.

Pencil on paper

Queen of Angels n.d.

Church

Leroy Gaarder

Austin, MN.

Pencil on paper

Queen of Angels 1961

Church Kitchen Alterations and Addition

Leroy Gaarder

Austin, MN.

Pencil on paper

Ramsey 1927

Grade School Addition

Leroy Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN.

Ink on paper

Rasmussen, Duane 1960

Residence

Leroy Gaarder

Austin, MN.

Pencil on paper

Reese, Mr. W.S. n.d.

Fireplace Design

Leroy Gaarder

n.l.

Blackline on paper

Rotegarde, B.C. 1933

Residence

Leroy Gaarder

New Richland, MN.

Pencil on paper

Salem Lutheran 1922

Church

Gaarder and Gaarder

n.l.

Ink on paper

Sanborn Lumber Co. 1925

Gaarder and Gaarder

n.l.

Ink on paper

St. Agustine 1941

High School Addition

Leroy Gaarder

n.l.

Blueprint

St. Augustine 1941

Church

Leroy Gaarder

n.l.

Pencil on paper

St. Joseph's Church 1939

Church

Leroy Gaarder

Milford, IA.

Pencil on paper

St. Luke's English Ev. Lutheran 1925-1926

Church

Gaarder and Gaarder

Milwaukee, WI.

Ink on paper

St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran 1942, 1965-66

Church

Leroy Gaarder

Austin, MN.

Pencil on paper

St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran 1976

Church

Leroy Gaarder

Austin, MN.

Pencil on paper

State Bank of Hayward MN 1925

Gaarder and Gaarder

Hayward, MN.

Ink on paper

Strong Insurance Co. 1931

Office Building

Leroy Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN.

Ink on paper

Struck, Edward 1946

Residence

Leroy Gaarder

Austin, MN.

Pencil on paper

Sturtz, Wm.P. 1955

Residence

Leroy Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN.

Pencil on paper

Sullevin, Ray 1929

Residence Alterations

Leroy Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN.

Pencil on paper

Talle, B.A. 1942

Leroy Gaarder

Kiester, MN.

Pencil on paper

Tracing Study n.d.

Leroy Gaarder

n.l.

Pencil on paper

Trinity Lutheran 1958

Church

Leroy Gaarder

Owatonna, MN.

Pencil on paper

Tyrholm, Albert 1940

Residence

Leroy Gaarder

Owatonna, MN.

Pencil on Paper

Tyrholme 1924

Residence

Gaarder and Gaarder

New Richmond, MN.

Pencil on paper

U.S. Post Office 1934-1935

Treasury Department

Unidentified

Albert Lea, MN.

Brownlines

Unidentified n.d.

Proposed High School

Leroy Gaarder

Mt. Morris, IL.

Ink and pencil on paper

Unidentified 1941

Village Hall and Fire Station

Leroy Gaarder

Kiester, MN.

Pencil on paper

Unidentified n.d.

School (?)

Leroy Gaarder

n.l.

Ink and pencil on paper

Unidentified 1940

Theater Building

Leroy Gaarder

Kiester, MN.

Ink on paper

Unidentified 1941

Village Water Pumping Station House

Leroy Gaarder

Kiester, MN.

Pencil on paper

Unidentified n.d.

Proposed Junior High

Leroy Gaarder

Albert lea, MN.

Water colors, ink on paper

Unidentified Sketches n.d.

Leroy Gaarder

n.l.

n/a

Upin 1948

Building

Leroy Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN

Pencil on paper

Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Post 447 1947, 1926

Club Building Alterations

Leroy Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN.

Pencil on paper

Watland, Dr. A.O. 1926

Alterations to Residence

Gaarder and Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN.

Pencil on paper

Watland, Dr. Clarence 1933, 1926

Residence

Gaarder and Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN.

Pencil on paper

Watland, Judith 1933

Chair

Leroy Gaarder

n.l.

Pencil on paper

Webber, Paul V. 1938

Funeral Home

Leroy Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN.

Pencil on paper

Wedge, Mr. Robert n.d.

Residence

Leroy Gaarder

n.l.

Pencil on paper

Wilhelmsen, Rev. W.O. n.d.

Porch Design

Leroy Gaarder

n.l.

Blackline on paper

Wykoff high School 1939

Gymnasium and Addition

Leroy Gaarder

Wykoff, MN.

Pencil on paper

Zion Lutheran 1959, 1964, 1966, 1972

Chuch

Leroy Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN.

Pencil on paper

Zion Lutheran 1947

Church

Leroy Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN.

Blueprint

Photographs

Note: Photographs are also contained in the series: Foldered material

 Church Furniture n.d. 4

Furniture design

n/a

n.d.

8x10 BW (quantity not noted)

Communion table, Pulpit, Lectern, Portions of Reredos

 English Evangelical Church of the Resurrection n.d. 1

Church

Gaarder and Gaarder

Milwaukee, WI.

8x10 BW (quantity not noted)

Interior and exterior

 First English Lutheran n.d. 2

Church

Leroy Gaarder

Platteville, WI.

4- 8x10 BW

Interior and exterior

 First Presbyterian n.d. 2

Church

Leroy Gaarder

Hayfield, MN.

2- 8x10 BW

Interior and exterior

 Grace Church n.d. loose

Church

Leroy Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN.

1- 8x10 BW

Chapel Interior

 Presbyterian Church n.d. 3A

Church

Leroy Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN.

8x10 BW (3), 4x6 BW (3)

Second floor plan, First floor plan, Basement plan, Eastside Elevation, Front elevation, Cross Section

 Presbyterian Church n.d. 3

Church

Leroy Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN.

4x6 BW (2), 8x10 BW (4)

Front Elevation and Cross section, Interior and exterior, first floor plan

 Presbyterian Church n.d. 2A

Church

Leroy Gaarder

Hayfield, MN.

6- 4x6 BW

East elevation, Basement plan, Cross section, North elevation, West elevation and First floor plan

 Queen of Angels n.d. loose

Church

Leroy Gaarder

Austin, MN.

2- 8x10 BW

Exterior views, Front views

 Salem Lutheran n.d. 1

Church

Gaarder and Gaarder

Albert Lea, MN.

2- 8x10 BW

Interior and exterior

 Foldered material

Note: Photographs are also contained in the series: Photographs

 Court Room Judges Bench n.d.

8x10 BW

First Lutheran Parish House and Chapel Addition n.d.

Dedication booklet, Building plan booklet, pencil rendering of perspective, pencil rendering of elevation

First Presbyterian Church n.d.

Building plan booklet

Grace Lutheran Church n.d.

Reredos plan, reredos 8x10

8x10 reredos

Hawthorn School n.d.

Northwest view of North Side Grade School pencil

Misc. Letters n.d.

Letters

Northwest Architect Proposed n.d.

Article by Leroy Gaarder

Presbyterian Church, Albert Lea, MN. n.d.

Tracery Window 8x10 BW, Photo Chance Reredos and Window

8x10 BW

Queen of Angels 1947, 1957,1939

Pencil drawing "Fantasy" cover design, Pastor's Jubilee Booklet (1947), Dedication booklet (1957), Dedication booklet (1939)

Ramsey School Addition n.d.

Pencil perspective

St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, Austin, MN. n.d.

Future plan booklet

Trinity Lutheran Church, Owatonna, MN. n.d.

Prospectus booklet

U.S. Post Office, Albert Lea, MN. n.d.

Pencil elevation (2) 8.5 x14

Unidentified Photos n.d.

Real wrought iron cross BW, cross BW, front elevation BW 11x17

11x17 BW

Zion Church n.d.

Lamb and Seven Seals Photo

8x10 BW