Hermann Kretz (1860-1931)

Name

Kretz, Hermann

Personal Information

Birth/Death:      b. 5/20/1860; d. 5/10/1931
Occupation:    American architect
Location (state):    MN

AIA Affiliation

Not a member of the AIA.

Biographical Sources

Biographical Information:
Contributed by Northwest Architectural Archives, University of Minnesota Libraries, Minneapolis
      Hermann Kretz was born in Essen, Germany on May 20, 1860. At the age of 19, Kretz went to work for his uncle as an architect, after completing his education at the University of Essen and the Technical School at Holzminden. In about 1880 he immigrated to the United States and worked in New York City, Chicago, Winnipeg, and various other western cities before settling in St. Paul in 1886. Kretz became wealthy not only from his successful architectural practice but from investments in real estate, including the Commerce Building in downtown St. Paul, which he designed and built in 1912. Hermann Kretz died in St. Paul on May 10, 1931.

Related Records

Archival Holdings

Northwest Architectural Archives, University of Minnesota Libraries, Minneapolis
      Hermann Kretz collection (N 22)
      Collection includes one microfilm reel of blueprint plans and photographs of buildings designed by Hermann Kretz.
For more information https://www.lib.umn.edu/naa

Publications