Otis Wheelock

=Otis Leonard Wheelock=

(b.Aug21-1816; d.Jan23-1893)

The Woodruff House(left) and The Paddock Building and Arcade(right), two of Wheelock's more well known buildings.

Otis Wheelock was a Watertown architect who is distinguished for the many structures he designed after the Great Fire of 1849. He was the only architect living in Watertown at the time, he therefore left an indelible mark on the architectural landscape of the city.

In 1856, Wheelock moved to Chicago, Illinois, where he designed some of that city's well known landmarks after the Chicago Fire of 1871. He died in San Jose, California.



One of the distinguishing features of many of Wheelock's buildings was the arched entryway. The photos above are the entrances to (from left) The American Building, The Crowner Hotel, The Paddock Arcade, The Woodruff House and Washington Hall.



Very few of Wheelock's creations remain standing today, but his architectural influence can still be felt in Watertown down to the present day. Architects of the Woodruff Professional Building (left) used elements of Wheelock's design of the Woodruff House in the planning and construction of the 1996 office building.

Partial list and photo gallery of Wheelock's creations.
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 * Building: First Baptist Church

Location: Public Square

Year Built: 1846

Status: Demolished(1890)


 * Building: Paddock Arcade

Location: Public Square

Year Built: 1850

Status: Still Standing


 * Building: Paddock Building

Location: Public Square

Year Built: 1850

Status: Still Standing, Partially demolished(1921)


 * Building: American Building

Location: Public Square

Year Built: 1850

Status: Demolished(1919) *


 * Building: Iron Block

Location: Public Square

Year Built: 1850

Status: Still Standing, Partially demolished(2005)


 * Building: Safford Block

Location: Court Street

Year Built: 1850

Status: Still Standing, Partially demolished(1940)


 * Building: Woodruff House

Location: Public Square

Year Built: 1851

Status: Demolished(1976)


 * Building: Universalist Church

Location: Public Square

Year Built: 1851

Status: Demolished(1907)


 * Building: First Presbyterian Church

Location: Washington Street

Year Built: 1851

Status: Still Standing


 * Building: Crowner House

Location: Court Street

Year Built: 1853

Status: Demolished(1966)


 * Building: Washington Hall

Location: Pub Sq/Washington St.

Year Built: 1853

Status: Demolished(1913) * Building: Hardiman Hotel

Location: Court Street

Year Built: 1853

Status: Demolished(1966)

Reference
Otis Leonard Wheelock, Architect