User:Frankie Rae/Test S

Not at all correct experiment test only Completed works
William LaBarthe Steele (May 2, 1875 — March 4, 1949) was an important architect of the Prairie School during the first third of the twentieth century. Best known for his Prairie School designs, Steele worked in a wide range of architectural styles, and over his career designed over 250 built commercial buildings, churches, synagogues, homes, schools, and government buildings in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Minnesota.

Architectural background
A graduate of the University of Illinois (1892—1896), Steele worked briefly for Solon S. Beman in Chicago (1896). Steele next worked in the office of renowned architect Louis Sullivan in Chicago, Illinois (1897—1900), including working on the famous Carson, Pirie, Scott Building (originally Schlesinger & Mayer, Chicago, 1899). After Sullivan, Steele relocated to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to gain additional experience with three other architectural firms. With Thomas Rodd, Steele worked primarily on plans for a major British Westinghouse factory in Trafford Park, Manchester, England (1900—1901). With Alden and Harlow, Steele focused on the Carnegie Institute expansion plans, working closely with chief draftsman Howard K. Jones (1901—1902). Finally, Steele worked with Sidney F. Heckert, a fellow Catholic who specialized in ecclesiastical and educational architecture (1902–1904).

Partnerships
Steele settled in Sioux City, Iowa in 1904 and did most of his work there. He first worked for Wilfred Warren (W.W.) Beach (1904—1905), and then Beach and Steele briefly worked in partnership (1905—1906). They dissolved their partnership in 1906 when Beach left Sioux City for a time, and Steele conducted a solo practice (1906—1925). On January 1, 1926, Steele took on George B. Hilgers as a partner (1926—1930). Hilgers had worked for Steele since 1911, eventually serving as chief draftsman. Although they completed their last joint commission in 1930, it appears that Steele and Hilgers did not legally dissolve their partnership, perhaps with the idea of doing later work that did not materialize. 

In 1928 Steele formed a partnership with Thomas Rogers Kimball, an established Omaha-based architect with a national reputation, and little known Josiah Dow Sandham. Steele relocated to Omaha in 1929 to fully participate in the new partnership (1928—1946). Although Steele presumably foresaw increasing opportunities due to the larger market of Omaha and his association with a prestigious established architect, these hopes were not realized. Most architects found it hard to secure commissions during the Great Depression that began soon after his move, and Steele was no exception. In fact, Kimball was ruined financially. Kimball's declining health meant that Steele played an increasingly central role with what work the firm was able to garner, but in hindsight it's clear that his years in Sioux City were actually Steele's most productive.

Although Kimball died September 7, 1934, Steele and Sandham continued to operate under Kimball, Steele & Sandham until 1946. Steele formed his final partnership in 1946, when he and Sandham added son William L. Steele, Jr. to form Steele, Sandham, and Steele (1946–1962). Steele's own deteriorating health forced him to curtail his involvement in the firm's work as the practice was picking up after World War II. Steele died on March 4, 1949, but the firm continued to operate under that name until 1962, when Alex Weinstein became a partner and the name changed to Steele, Sandham, and Weinstein.

Partnership designations
Beach & Steele (1905—1906) partnership of Wilfred Warren (W.W.) Beach (1872—1937) with Steele

Steele & Hilgers (1926—1930) partnership of Steele with George B. Hilgers (1888?—19??)

Kimball, Steele & Sandham (1928—1946) partnership of Thomas Rogers Kimball (1872—1934), Steele, and Josiah Dow Sandham (1880—1969)

Steele, Sandham & Steele (1946—1962) partnership of Steele and Sandham with Steele's son William L. Steele Jr. (19**—19**)

Status designations
Demolished or destroyed (also noted in "Other Information")

Regularly open to the public

Disputed authorship (uncertainty whether it's a Steele design)