McEnary, Krafft, Birch & Kilgore papers

Dale McEnarywas born in Minneapolis on July 13, 1890. He attended the public schools of that city and studied engineering and architecture at the University of Minnesota and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, respectively, graduating from the latter in 1914 with a B.S. in architecture. He worked for Charles Frost in his St. Paul and Chicago offices from 1914 to 1917, served in the U.S. Army from 1917 to 1919, then returned to Frost's office from 1919 to 1921. In the latter year, McEnary joined Frederick Mann's office in Minneapolis until 1925 when he associated with Walter Wheeler, an engineer. In 1928 he formed a partnership with Albert Larson, who left the firm in 1934 and was replaced by Edwin Krafft. McEnary died in Minneapolis in 1964.

Edwin Krafftwas born in Minneapolis on September 26, 1901, attended Dartmouth College and studied architecture at the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1924. He worked for a series of local architects including Magney & Tusler (1926-1931) before joining McEnary in partnership in 1934. Krafft retired from active practice in 1969 and died in Minneapolis in 1986.

Merrill Birchwas born in Minneapolis on April 17, 1919. He earned an architecture degree from the University of Minnesota in 1942. He joined the navy for four years, returning after war service to become a member of the firm and, in 1963, full partner.

Robert Kilgorewas born in 1928 and also attended the University of Minnesota School of Architecture, graduating in 1949. He joined the firm as a draftsman and was likewise elected partner in 1963.

Dale McEnary and Edwin Krafft formed their partnership in 1934 to design a large country house at Lake Minnetonka for Rufus Rand. This house today is the corporate headquarters of Cargill, Inc. Their pre-World War II practice continued to concentrate on prestigious residences and culminated in 1941 in the design for the modern Farmers and Mechanics Savings Bank in Minneapolis. After the war, the firm diversified into all types of architecture, concentrating on the design of traditional churches but also encompassing factories, retail stores, warehouses, apartment buildings, parking ramps, theaters, and schools.