PROJECT UPDATE!

 Walter J Keith was born on August 17,1867 in Minneapolis Minnesota.  Walter was the son to Dr. Goarge Hacket Keith and Henrietta Pearson Jewett.  Walter had three siblings, Maybel Cahill Keith, Max Leroy Keith and Goarge Herbert Keith Sr.  Walter's education took place in the public schools of Minneapolis.  He began an active career as the Minneapolis post office clerk, later becoming the United States Customs inspector, department entered in 1889.  Walter was the president of Keith's co. Architects.  He was also the president and co-owner of the Plaza in Minneapolis which was established in 1903.  Walter was the founder of Keith's Magazine on Home Building.  And was also the author of the Historic Architecture for Home Builder.

                                         A little bit about what Walter did

Keith's Magazine on Home Builder was very popular for the American Craftsman Design era, it was published from the centered through the 1930s.  Keith's was an authority for architecture, interior design and techniques to help with building, which helped popularize the Bungalow Style.  Walter's architectural firm sold house plans, they provided blueprint drawings with detailed material lists to Facilitate building.  Keith's plans marketed across the country through magazines and books.  They advertised in popular magazine such as the Lady's Home Journal.  

                                             Model 1070 By Walter J Keith

The 1070 eye catching model appeared in many ads.  And was ionic of Keith's Co. offered two story and a half story plans.  But Walter used the photograph of a smaller home through.  There are windows in the bed chambers of the second floor.  This version came from Walter's portfolio of practical homes from the 1920s.  This plan was very similar to the Sears Roebucks floor model No. 124 home kit, which was sold in 1911-1918.  Sears bought popular architect plans of the day, but so far they found no documenting or relationship evidence between the firms.