Born in Varde, Denmark in 1888, Henry Christian Bertelsen came to Spokane as a toddler around 1890. His father, a brick mason, found ample employment in the growing community of Spokane. Like many architects of his day, Bertelsen gained his architectural education through hands on-training. At the age of 18, he began his career as apprentice with local architect Howard Hals (1906), and then took a job as a draftsman for local architect Alfred Jones (1907). Seeking further experience he moved to Omaha, Nebraska and took a job as a draftsman for J.H. Craddocck. Then in 1910 Bertelsen moved back to Spokane and at the age of 22 began working as a draftsman for the prominent architectural firm of Cutter & Malmgren. His skills in delineation were quickly recognized and eventually he became responsible for managing the firm’s drafting room, reportedly completed many of their final architectural drawings. Upon the death of Karl Malmgren in 1921, Cutter continued to employ Bertelsen as his assistant, but was unable to sustain paying his wages due to Spokane’s declining economy. When Cutter finally decided to leave Spokane for Santa Barbara in 1923, in lieu of back wages, Bertelsen, along with Cutter’s secretary, were left the contents of Cutter’s office.
As the air apparent to the Cutter & Malmgren firm, Bertelsen had no trouble finding work. As such, shortly after Cutter left, Bertelsen took on a partner, William A. Wells. He remained in partnership with the older and more experienced, Wells for about five years and received his Washington State architectural license (L16) in January of 1924. Reportedly over his career, Bertelsen designed more than 100 commercial and residential buildings in and around the Spokane area.
His designs range from small stores and auto dealerships, to large civic structures. His skill in working with terra cotta was particularly well recognized. Notable designs include the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children (1924); Waitsburg High School (1927); National Guard Headquarters at Felts Field (1927); the United Hillyard Bank (1929); Lincoln School (1930); Mt. Spokane’s Vista House (1933); the Spokane Coliseum (1954); the Inland Automobile Association Building (1963); and several buildings at Gonzaga University.
Bertelsen’s romantic Tudor design for the William & Margaret Solby House at the base of Spokane’s south hill, received both local and nationwide press. Constructed as a model home, the house was showcased with a multi-page spread in the May 1927 issue of Good Housekeeping Magazine.
Like many architects of the day, Bertelsen was active in variety of social and civic groups. Among them was the Rotary Club, the Spokane Club, Associated Engineers, the American Institute of Architects, the Press Club, the Athletic Round Table, American Legion, the Sons of Norway and the Inland Empire Automobile Association. He also served on the Salvation Army Advisory Board and the Fairmount Cemetery Board of Trustees. Bertelsen passed away in Spokane in August 23, 1963 at the age of 75. Many of his drawings and papers are housed at the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture (MAC) in Spokane. The Bertelsen Collection includes 5 linear feet of materials from 1906 to 1968 including 150 sets of architectural drawings.
