Leon Arnal papers

Leon Arnal was born in Mouret, France on June 14, 1881. He received a classical education in architecture at the École des Beaux Arts, Marseilles, graduating July 16, 1899, and the École des Beaux Arts, Paris, graduating June 20, 1910. Four years of his education at Paris were funded through a scholarship from the city of Marseilles. From 1911 to 1914 he taught at the University of Pennsylvania School of Architecture as an assistant to Paul Phillippe Cret. Arnal served in the French army during World War I and was awarded the British Military Cross for his service as a liaison officer with the British forces.

After the war, Arnal returned to the U.S. and joined the firm of Magney & Tusler in Minneapolis, where he was the chief designer until 1935. He also taught in the University of Minnesota School of Architecture from 1919 until his retirement in 1948. Among the buildings in Minneapolis he designed for Magney & Tusler were the Women's Club Building (1927), U.S. Post Office (1934) and Foshay Tower (1928-1929); all have since been designated landmark structures by the Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission. Arnal also assisted local architects Roy Childs Jones and Clarence Johnston in the design of Memorial Stadium at the University of Minnesota (1921-1923). He died in Minneapolis on February 23, 1963.