Early life and education Born
Frederic Joseph DeLonchamps in
Reno, Nevada on January 2, 1882, the son of Felix DeLongchamps and Exilda Gibeau. He was raised in Washoe County, graduating from
Reno High School in 1900, then the
University of Nevada in 1904 with a degree in
mining engineering.
Career DeLongchamps was employed as a
mining engineer and
draftsman in
Inyo County, California before he embarked on a career in
architecture. He spent a short time in
San Francisco where he may have apprenticed, but he returned to Nevada in 1907 and formed a partnership with
Ira W. Tesch. From 1909 to 1938, DeLongchamps maintained his own firm and became one of Nevada's most prolific architects. He designed both private and public buildings including nine county
courthouses in Nevada and California. He was awarded the contract to design the Nevada Buildings for the
Panama-Pacific International Exposition (1915), winning a silver medal for his work. DeLongchamps was appointed Nevada State Architect in 1919 and was the only person to hold the position, which was abolished in 1926. During this time, he designed many state buildings. In 1939,
George L. F. O'Brien joined DeLongchamps in partnership in Reno, and
Hewitt Wells added his name to the association in 1962. The architectural firm of DeLongchamps, O'Brien and Wells continued to design buildings, mainly in the Reno area, into the 1960s.
Legacy DeLongchamps died in Reno, Nevada on February 11, 1969. He was survived by his son, Galen (08 Aug 1916-22 Jul 2001). He was the father-in-law of the noted poet and artist
Joanne de Longchamps (that is how she spelled the name), who married DeLongchamps's adopted son Galen.
Russell Mills is one who worked as a draftsman for DeLongchamps and went on to have a career as an independent architect. Many of DeLongchamps' works have been listed on the National Register. ==Works==