Indiana Historical Society - Manuscripts & Archives
User information
Historical sketch
Scope and Content note
Box and folder listing
Floor plans by R. P. Daggett
Cataloguing information
Processed by
Charles Latham
13 March 1991
5 April 1993
VOLUME OF COLLECTION: 8 manuscript boxes, 2 oversize boxes (7 linear feet)
COLLECTION DATES: 1869-1977
PROVENANCE: Mrs. Robert Frost Daggett, Jr., 4904 Washington Boulevard, Indianapolis, Indiana, 3 March 1991; Lizette Daggett Bennett, 728 Nottingham Court, Indianapolis Indiana, 12 May 1992
RESTRICTIONS: None
COPYRIGHT: Held by Indiana Historical Society
ALTERNATE FORMATS: None
RELATED HOLDINGS: At Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana
ACCESSION NUMBER: 91.0265, 92.0497
The Daggett architectural firm of Indianapolis was headed by three generations of the Daggett family, and its work spanned over a century of distinguished work in Indianapolis and the surrounding area. The firm operated under several different names during this long period.
The founder of the firm was Robert Platt Daggett (1837-1915). Born in New Haven, Connecticut, he moved to Indianapolis to found the firm in 1868. He designed well over a hundred residences in Indianapolis and in other cities in Indiana and Illinois, and also business blocks, churches, college buildings, and schools. Among his firm's larger projects were the original Lilly laboratory, the E. C. Atkins saw works and Burford Printing Co., Dean Brothers Pump Works, Park Theater, and Indianapolis High School. The elder Daggett continued in the firm until 1912, when he retired to California.
Robert Frost Daggett (1875-1955), the second generation, was born in Indianapolis. He graduated from Indianapolis High School in 1893, from University of Pennsylvania School of Architecture in 1896, and from the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris in 1901. He then joined his father's firm until his work was interrupted by the first World War. Assigned first to the 472nd Aero Squadron, he was then transferred to the Engineers, and was responsible for building many field and base hospitals in France. Returning home, he became the architect for Indiana, Purdue, and DePauw Universities, and designed Jordan Hall at Butler University. He designed several buildings for the Indiana University School of Medicine, as well as Long and Riley Hospitals. His work also included several buildings for Eli Lilly and Co., the Consolidated and Chamber of Commerce Buildings, the Indianapolis Athletic Club, and Tabernacle Presbyterian Church. Though he did comparatively little residential work, he designed the J. K. Lilly and Eli Lilly homes on Sunset Lane.
Robert Frost Daggett, Jr., (1912-1985), the third generation of the firm, graduated from Yale University in 1934, and served in the U. S. Navy in World War II. As he and
F. Harold Naegele joined the firm about 1948, its name changed, first to Robert Frost Daggett and Associates, then to Daggett, Naegele and Daggett, and finally to Daggett, Naegele and Associates. During these later years, the firm continued to do work for the Lilly company and Indiana University. They did several public schools in Indianapolis, notably Westlane Junior High School; LaRue Carter and Community Hospitals and several other hospitals around the state; the Greyhound bus terminal; the Otis Elevator plant in Bloomington; several churches; and several buildings for the Peter Paul Company. The firm was dissolved when the younger Daggett retired in 1977.
Sources: Materials in collection
Nostalgia News #20, Fall 1985, p. 32
Indiana Biographical Series vol.45 p.67, vol.94 p.117
Indianapolis Men of Affairs p.143
This collection, filling eight manuscript boxes and two oversize boxes, contains correspondence, essays, company records and ledgers, architectural specifications and plans, photographs, brochures and scrapbooks. It covers the period 1869-1977, through three generations of the Daggett firm. It is arranged chronologically by family member, and then by category.
Robert Platt Daggett is represented by the material in Box 1. Folder 1 contains material about the firm, notably a small printed brochure listing buildings designed by the firm, and a typed transcript of an article about the firm. Folders 2-3 contain correspondence and specifications from the firm. In Folder 4 is an 1886 patent for stovepipe flanges and hinges. In Folders 5 and 6 are small floor plans on linen for 181 houses and cottages, in Indianapolis and elsewhere in Indiana and Illnois, most of them dated and identified by owner. Many of these are in addition to the list given in the printed brochure. An alphabetical list of these houses is appended to this collection description. It should be noted that in some cases plans are listed for the same person on different dates. This may indicate a revised plan; in some cases it may mean a second dwelling built for rental; this is particularly likely in the case of several double houses. Almost all of the plans are dated in January and February, presumably so that construction could begin in the spring. One cottage is marked "Not built." In OMB 49 are the front and side elevations of one house, marked "built 1881," and the front elevation of a factory. Also in OMB 49 is a ledger giving a record of jobs done by the Daggett form between 1880 and 1910, most with summary costs. In Folder 9 of Box 1 is a scrapbook with records of the Indiana chapter of the American Institute of Architects, 1889-1897.
Robert Frost Daggett is represented by materials in Boxes 2 and 6. In Box 2, Folders 1-5 contain correspondence, mainly letters of recommendation from satisfied clients. Folders 6-9 contain Daggett's remarks at the dedication of four buildings he had designed. Folders 10-23 contain papers, lectures, or talks given by Daggett on various occasions. Most of these have to do with architecture and design, and give an unusual insight into an architect's view of his craft. There are also a tribute to Daggett and two clippings.
In Folders 28-29 are summaries of work done by the firm, beginning in 1923. Photographs of work done by the firm, Folders 31-37, are stored in Visual Collections. Ledgers 1911-1933 are in Box 6.
Robert Frost Daggett, Jr. is represented by the material in Boxes 3-5 and 7-8. In Box 3 are his notes on architectural courses taken at the University of Illinois in 1948; a few personal papers; pages from a scrapbook; and photographs of buildings designed by the firm (stored in Visual Collections). In Box 4 are legal papers for the firm; minutes 1951-1977; and material dealing with the purchase and later the sale of their building at 567 Westfield Boulevard in Indianapolis.
Box 5 contains agreements with clients, 1948-1976. In Boxes 7-8 are ledgers 1933-1974. Some pages (Folders 2-14 of Box 8) are numbered by job (e.g. 7502, the second job in 1975). Folders 15-23 of Box 8 contain yearly audits for the firm by accountants.
When the firm was dissolved in 1977, most of its papers were given to the Drawing and Documents Archive at the College of Architecture and Planning at Ball State University in Muncie. A guide to this collection was prepared by Andrew R. Seager in July 1989 (Architectural Projects by the Daggett firm of Indianapolis, ca. 1868-1976-- NA 737 .D24 Ib S42 1989). The collection at Indiana Historical Society may help to amplify the Ball State collection in three ways: by adding to, and dating, the list of houses and other buildings designed by Robert Platt Daggett; by giving an idea of Robert Frost Daggett's views on architecture; and by giving much more material about the last three decades of the firm.
BOX 1: Robert Platt Daggett
FOLDER
1 Materials about firm
2 Correspondence
3 Specifications
4 Patent 1886
5 Floor plans, 1880s
6 Floor plans, 1890s
7 (OMB 49) Elevations-- house, 1881, factory
8 (OMB 49) Summary of jobs, 1880-1910
9 Records of Indiana branch AIA, 1889-1897
BOX 2: Robert Frost Daggett
FOLDER
1 Correspondence-- 1916-1924
2 Correspondence-- 1925-1926
3 Correspondence-- 1927-1928
4 Correspondence-- 1931-1937
5 Correspondence-- 1940-1943
6 Dedications-- Tabernacle Presb. Church
7 Dedications-- Jordan Hall
8 Dedications-- I. U. gymnasium
9 Dedications-- I. U. music school
10 Papers and talks-- Student life in Paris
11 Earliest form of Indiana architecture (log cabins) Portfolio 1914
12 Origin and growth of architecture
13 [Beauty in design]
14 Planning and construction of the house
15 A good plan
16 Building outlook with special reference to larger buildings and their costs
17 The present industrial situation
18 A modern low-priced dwelling and equipment
19 Force and significance of color in the room
20 Architecture and Masonry--Oriental Lodge
21 The Daggett firm of architecture--Kiwanis
22 Vocational education-- Delta Tau Omega
23 Anti-aircraft artillery-- Literary Club 1937
24 Tribute to RFD by Marshall Abrams [1955]
25 Obituary and will
26 Clipping
27 (OMB 49) Lilly folder with photo of RFD
28 Summaries by job 1923-1940
29 Summaries by job 1940-1967
30 Indac 1924-- opening of IAC Bldg.
31(VC) View book-- mainly IAC
32 (VC) View book ca 1925
33 (VC) Photos from notebook "Schools by RFD"--schools and high schools
34 (VC) "Schools by RFD"-- colleges and universities
35 (VC) Photos-- Indianapolis Athletic Club
BOX 3: Robert Frost Daggett, Jr.
FOLDER
1 Notes on Arch. 31
2 Notes on Arch. 32
3 Notes on Arch. 33-34
4 Notes on Arch. 43
5 Notes on Arch. 44
6 Will of Alice Stuart (aunt) 1962-1964
7 Will of Allan Smith 1963-1964
8 Will of C. Etta Smith 1955
9 Office portfolio I
10 Office portfolio II
11 Scrapbook I
12 Scrapbook II
13 (VC) Photos-- Butler University
14 (VC) Photos -- Butler Pharmacy Building
15 (VC) Photos -- Community Hospital
16 (VC) Photos -- Community Hospital (oversize)
17 (VC) Photos -- Eli Lilly & Co.
18 (VC) Photos -- Estate of. C. E. Hughes, Florida
19 (VC) Photos -- Indiana State Fairgrounds (oversize)
20 (VC) Photos -- Indiana Univ. School of Music (oversize)
21 (VC) Photos -- Indiana Univ. Gymnasium
22 (VC) Photos -- Indiana Women's Prison
23 (VC) Photos -- LaRue Carter Hospital
24 (VC) Photos -- Otis Elevator Co., Bloomington
25 (VC) Photos -- Peter Paul plant, Frankfort
26 (VC) Photos -- Third Church of Christ, Scientist
27 (VC) Photos -- Wabash County Hospital
28 (VC) Photos -- Interior-- unidentified hospital
29 (VC) Photos -- Interiors-- unidentified
30 (VC) Photos -- Exteriors-- unidentified
BOX 4: Corporate papers
FOLDER
1 Documents-- formation of RFD & Associates 1951
2 Stock certificates-- Daggett Naegele & Daggett
3 Brochure-- Daggett, Naegele & Associates
4 Corporate minutes-- 1951-1955
5 Corporate minutes -- 1956-1960
6 Corporate minutes -- 1961-1965
7 Corporate minutes -- 1966-1970
8 Corporate minutes -- 1971-1977
9 Pension plan, 1957
10 Pension plan
11 Purchase of Bremerman property, 1954
12 Appraisal of property
13 Deed to property
14 Abstract on property
15 Appraisal
16 Insurance on property
17 Mortgage on property
18 Correspondence between RFD Jr. and F. Harold Naegele about sale of building, 1978
19 Special meeting to consider sale of building
20 Sale of building, 1982
21 Clippings
22 "Best Top Ten Plants of 1967"
23 Indiana Architects roster, 1974
BOX 5: Agreements with clients
FOLDER
1 I. U. Dentistry Bldg 1948
2 State of Indiana research bldg 1949
3 IU Medical Center-- Cancer Research Bldg 1952
4 IU Medical Science Bldg 1954
5 Riley Hospital remodeling 1955
6 IU Medical Center-- Clinical Bldg addn 1955
7 Division of Mental Health 1955
8 IU Medical Center-- Dentistry Bldg 1956
9 IU Music Bldg 1956
10 Wabash County Hospital 1957-1960
11 IU Chemistry Bldg addn 1958
12 Professional Arts Bldg 1958
13 IU Biology Bldg 1958
14 Howard County Hospital 1958
15 Fayette Memorial Hospital, Connersville 1961
16 Jasper County Hospital 1961
17 Howard County Hospital 1963-1968
18 Shortridge High School addition 1964
19 IU Kokomo Center 1964
20 Investment Corporation of America 1964
21 Tau Kappa Epsilon, IU 1964
22 Apollo Medical Bldg, Kokomo 2965
23 William R. Hughett
24 IU Chemistry Bldg addition 1965
25 Hendricks County Hospital
26 Miscellaneous, 1965-1970
27 Tudor Hall dormitory 1966
28 IU Dental addition 1966
29 Venice (Florida) Hospital 1967
30 Trinity Church-- St. Richard's addn 1967
31 Peter Paul 1967
32 INB, 3810 East 38th St. 1968
33 IU Dental addition II 1969
34 New Castle State Hospital 1969
35 IUPUI School of Nursing 1969
36 Wabash County Hospital 1969
37 Indiana School for the Deaf 1969
38 Indun Corp., Marion 1969, 1971
39 Putnam County Hospital 1970-1973
40 IU Medical Science Bldg 1971
41 Jasper County Hospital 1971, 1973
42 Wabash County Hospital 1973
43 Indiana School for the Deaf 1973
44 Ransburg Corp. 1974
45 Hendricks County Hospital 1975
46 East 38th St. Christian Church 1976
47 Material on Christian Church 1976
BOX 6: Ledgers 1911-1933
Folder
1 1911-1916
2 1915-1916 by job
3 1915-1925 by job
4 1916
5 1921-1933
BOX 7: Ledgers 1933-1974
FOLDER
1 1933-1962
2 1945-1955
3 Checks 1963-1972
4 1958-1963
5 by job-- 1956-1961
6 by job -- 1961-1965
7 by job -- 1966-1970
8 by job -- 1971-1972
9 by account 1971-1973
10 (OMB 49) 1967-1975
11 (OMB 49) 1967-1968
12 (OMB 49) 1970-1975
13 (OMB 49) 1967
14 (OMB 49) 1968-1969
15 (OMB 49) 1970-1971
16 (OMB 49) 1972-1974
BOX 8: Ledgers 1963-1973; Audits 1948-1972
FOLDER
1 1963-1971
2 Ledger, by job; index -- 6507
3 Ledger, by job; index -- 6703
4 Ledger, by job; index -- 6705
5 Ledger, by job; index -- 6806
6 Ledger, by job; index -- 6903
7 Ledger, by job; index -- 7001
8 Ledger, by job; index -- 7005-7006
9 Ledger, by job; index -- 7102, 7103, 7105
10 Ledger, by job; index -- 7202, 7204
11 Ledger, by job; index -- 7306, 7307, 7601
12 Ledger, by job; index -- 6500s
13 Ledger, by job; index -- 6600s
14 Ledger, by job; index -- 6700-7000
15 Audits-- 1948-1950
16 Audits -- 1951-1953
17 Audits -- 1954-1956
18 Audits -- 1957-1959
19 Audits -- 1960-1962
20 Audits -- 1963-1965
21 Audits -- 1966-1968
22 Audits -- 1969-1971
23 Audits -- 1972-1976
OVERSIZE (OMB 49)
BOX 1
FOLDER
1 R. P. Daggett-- elevations
2 Lilly leaflet with picture of R. F. Daggett
3 R. P. Daggett-- summary of jobs 1880-1910
4 Ledger 1961-1973
5 Ledger 1961-1973
6 Ledger 1963-1966
7 Ledger 1964-1967
BOX 2
FOLDER
1 Ledger-- 1967-1975
2 Ledger -- 1967-1968
3 Ledger -- 1970-1975
4 Ledger -- 1967
5 Ledger -- 1968-1969
6 Ledger -- 1970-1971
7 Ledger -- 1972-1974
RESIDENCES-- INDIANAPOLIS
Applegate, L. B. 1-10-1895
Bahr, Prof. Paul 1-4-1886
Barth, J. W. 2-19-?
Bassett, W. B. 1-13-1890
Bergundthal, D. C. 1-10-1890
Blyth, Jas. G. 2-12-1883
Boothby, Arthur 1-20-1894
Brown, L. M. 1-13-1887
Brown, Wm. T. 1-4-1889
Budenz, Henry 2-19-?
Budenz, John T. 2-2-1890
Byrkit, A. F. 2-19-1886
Carter, Frank H. 4-11-1896
Coburn, H. 1891
Coburn, Henry P. 1899
Coleman, Wm. H. n.d.
Conduitt, A. B., farm house 1-2-1896
Cook, Wm. H. 2-13-1896
Cooper, L. W. 2-20-1887
Dean, E. H., N. Meridian St. 1893
Dean, John C. 2-13-1888, 2-4-1891
Dell, Wm. H. A. 2-19-1885
Dickson, Geo. A 2-8-1884; double house 1-14-1888
Dietz, E. 2-5-1889
Donnan, Miss E., N. Capitol Ave. 1894
Edgington, J. F. 2-14-1891
Efroymson, Mr., double house n.d.
Elliott, Jos. T. 1-18-1889
Elliott, Robert [1899?] (2)
Ellis, Mrs. S. A. 1-14-1887
Ernst, Jos. 2-6-1889
Evans, Geo. T. 1-10-1886
Fahnley, Fred, double house 1-14-1883
Fatout, D. H. 2-6-1890
Fishback, Mrs. S. E. 1-7-1885
Fletcher, Dr. C. I. 1894, 1-2-1895
Fletcher, Mrs. E. 1-15-1895
Frommeyer, Henry 2-18-1891
Gordon, John S., N. Illinois St. 1-3-1890
Gordon, Mrs. S. C., double house 1-10-1896
Hadley, Joel W. 1-7-1885
Hamilton, H. D. 2-12-1888
Hamilton, Margaret 1-14-1884
Hanson, J. A. 1-11-1889
Harris, A[ddison] C. 2-3-1892
Harrison, Nich. M. 1-15-1897
Hart, T. J. 1-2-1882
Harvey, Judge L. 4-2-?
Heckmann, Christopher, double house 1-14-1888
Hendricks, V. K. 2-14-1891
Holliday, Frank 2-18-1882
Holliday, J. H., farm house [Cold Spring Road] 2-7-1892
Jacobsen, C. P. 1894
Johnson, W. A. 2-7-1889
Johnston, W. P. 1-19-1889
Kappes, Wm. E. 2-6-1889
Kenney, E. T. 1-4-1890
Koepper, Christian 2-19-1883, 1-17-1884
Koerner, Val. 2-19-1889
Kopp, Albert 1-7-1887
Kraas, Wm., double house n.d.
Kahn, A. M. 1-17-1892, 2-3-1892
Langbein, A. 1-13-1890
Laurie, Wm. 1-3-1895
Long, H. C. 1-4-1882
Lovett, D. W. 2-3-1890
Lyons, A. I. 2-14-1885
Maas, Louis 2-15-1888
Madden, Thomas 1-14-1882
Martin, Ella 1-7-1885
Maus, Frank n.d. [1890s]
McBride, Chas. S. 2-2-1892
McCrea, Wm. W. 1-14-1886
McFarland, M. S. 1-2-1885
McKee, Edw. L. n.d.
McWorkman, W. 2-20-1889
Meier, Wm. H. 1-3-1889
Mella, Gustav 2-19-1888
Meyer, Chas. F. 2-18-1885
Milnor, John E. 2-2-1893
Montani Bros. 2-11-1893
Monninger, Dan. 1-10-1887
Moorhead, Thos. W. 2-10-1888
Mummenhoff, Frank 1-3-1885
Munson, E. A. 2-18-1889
Newberry, Mrs. L. 2-19-?
Newby, A. C. 1-10-1896
Paine, Mrs. Wm. H. 1894
Peck, C. L. 2-12-1883
Penn, Jos. 1-17-1884
Piel, Chas. F., cottages 4-9-1892
Piel, Henry W. 1-1-1884
Piel, Wm. F., Jr. 1-18-1883, 1-14-1887
Pohlmann, Mrs. John n..
Reagan, John, Central Ave. near 8th St. 1893
Reeves, Frank J. 2-1-1893
Rehm, G. H. 1-19-1888
Robertson, Mrs. A. M. 2-9-1884, 1-19-1889, 1893
Ruckle, Col. N. R. 1-8-1886
Runnels, O. S. 1-20-1888
Sayles, Chas. F. 2-12-1889 (2) sketch; 1892
Schindler, O. O. 2-2-1889
Schleicher, Adolph 4-18-1893
Schmitt, Mrs. M., N. Meridian near 32 1893
Sherman, W. G. 1-18-1888
Shideler, J. E. 2-19-1885
Short, W. N., double house 2-8-1891
Smith, Henry, double house 2-6-1897
Snow, A. H. 1890
Stanbery, J. V. n.d.
Staub, Jos. 1-8-1889, 1-5-1892
Stevenson, Mrs. H. W. 3-2-?
Talbott, H. M. 1-11-1892
Test, Chas. E. 2-6-1888; farm house, not built, 2-8-1897
Thomas, Alb. D. 2-3-1888, 1894, 1898
Traub, Mrs. A. E. 2-11-1893 (2)
Umphrey, L. 1891
Vail, Willis n.d.
Wachstetter, Jac. 2-14-1895
Wagner, Dr. Theodore, cottage 1-20-1896
Webb, Mrs. B. L. 1894
Weisenberger, L. 2-8-1890
Wetsell, Mrs. Mary 1-14-1889
Wheeler, Wm. A. 2-9-1891
Wood, J. B. 1-13-1889
Zumpfe, Prof. Emil 2-12-1889
RESIDENCES-- OTHER CITIES
Anderson IN
McCullough, C. H. 1-6-1889
Crawfordsville IN
Dice, Francis M. 1-2-1885
Jackson, D. H. 1-6-1890
Edinburg IN
Deming, Mrs. H. A. 2-8-1889
Greencastle IN
Allen, Albert 1894
Lueteke, Charles 3-9-1893
Kokomo IN
Pickett, J. C. 1-15-1882
Lafayette IN
Diver, A. H. 1-6-1890
Emerson, H. W. 1-8-1888
Highland Park Land Co. 2-11-1892
Hull, G. H. 1-15-1885
Moore, Saml. 2-11-1892
Ross, D. L. 1-6-1890
Ross, Miss E. 1-17-1882
Logansport IN
Hauk, D. A. 1-1-1890
Taber, G. C. 3-9-1893
Monticello IN
McLean, Wm. E. 1-2-1887
Muncie IN
Maring, G. W. 1-18-1890
Morgan, Thos. 1-1-1891
Noblesville IN
Hare, E. M. 1-12-1889
Heylmann, J. G. 1-4-1893
Joseph, J. 2-4-1892
Lowther, W. E. 1-13-1890
Springer, G. E. 2-17-1889
Pendleton IN
Taylor, A. B. 2-9-1893
Peru IN
Brownell, Chas H. 2-1-1883
Deibert 1-1-1886
Huff, W. A. 1-1-1891
Strouse, H. W. 1-1-1886
Portland IN
McGriff, E. E. 2-15-1889, 1-17-1893
Rochester IN
Robbins, Dr. A. H. 1-2-1882
Shelbyville IN
Adams, Ed. K. 2-17-1885, 4-4-1895
Davis, R. W. 1-6-1896
Gorgas, A. J. 1-3-1885
McConnell, Geo. C. 1-1-1887
McFadden, Dr. J. B. 2-5-1882
Morris, S. B. 1-9-1889
Parsonage 4-19-1895
Randall, J. B. 1-9-1889
Robbins, N. D. 1-9-1882
Senour, Geo. W. 2-5-1882
Weiz, Miss E. 1-10-1895
Wells, Dr. E. F. 1-9-1886
Terre Haute IN
Kidder, E. Willard 1-3-1890
Warsaw IN
Widaman, J. D. 2-4-1886
Worthington IN
Miller, J. E. 1-12-1886
Shaw, H. C. 1-6-1887
Chicago IL
Boyle, C. 2-12-1886
Danville IL
English, C. L. 2-8-1895
Mattoon IL
Shrader, J. W. 1-8-1890
MAIN ENTRY: Daggett, Robert Frost, 1912-1985
Daggett Family Architectural Firm Records, 1869-1977
SUBJECT ENTRIES: American Institute of Architects. Indianapolis Chapter
Architects--Indiana--Indianapolis
Architectural firms--Indiana--Indianapolis
Architecture--Indiana
Architecture, Domestic--Indiana--Designs and plans
Architecture, Industrial--Indiana--Indianapolis
Building--Prices--Indiana
House construction--Indiana--Costs
Commerical buildings--Indiana--Costs
Blueprints--Indiana
Architectural contracts--Indiana--Indianapolis
Business records--Indiana--Indianapolis
Scrapbooks--Indiana--Indianapolis
Indianapolis (Ind.)--Buildings, structures, etc.
ADDED ENTRIES: Daggett, Robert Platt, 1837-1915
Daggett, Robert Frost, 1875-1955
Daggett, Robert Frost, 1912-1985
END