Fredrick E. Westcott received his early training as a draftsman and designer for the architectural firm of Cutter & Malmgren and later for the architect Albert Held, but it is unclear as to where he received his formal architectural schooling. Westcott’s first official partnership began with W.W. Hyslop around 1910. In 1912, the two produced a widely distributed plan book, “The Inland Architect”, which featured many Arts & Crafts and Period Revival homes. In 1918 Westcott started his own firm in the Rookery Building. The following year he received his architectural license from the state of Washington (#138). In 1921 he formed a short-lived partnership with Spokane native Howard L. Gifford.
Little is known about the early life of Howard L. Gifford. His architectural training is unknown and the partnership is known to have produced just a handful of designs. Among them is Hartline School (1922), alterations to the Ritz Theater (1924), and an annex for Hillyard High School (1922) in Spokane. For reasons unknown, Gifford left the firm in 1923-24 and moved to Portland, Oregon.
Fredrick E. Westcott returned to private practice in Spokane, Washington, until his death in 1946. Over his career he was responsible for designing many homes and buildings in Spokane, such as the Hillyard High School (1922), Whitehead’s Dancing Palace (1919), the Ritz Theatre (1924), the Codd House (1916), the Gibbs House (1913), the Ratz House (1925) and the Old Garden Dance Hall (1919).
Adapted from the Hartline School NR Nomination - Tanner Dotzauer
