Glen H. Thomas (July 9, 1889 – November 19, 1962) was an American architect in practice in Wichita, Kansas from 1919 until his death in 1962. The firm Thomas founded in 1919 celebrated its hundreth anniversary in 2019 and now (2024) is known as TESSERE.

Life and career Glen Herbert Thomas was born July 9, 1889, in Waterville, Kansas to Courtney Glendure Thomas and Alice Elizabeth Thomas, née Farwell. He was educated at the University of Illinois, but did not earn a degree. In 1916 he moved to Wichita, where he joined the office of Lorentz Schmidt . He served briefly in the army during World War I but otherwise remained with Schmidt until 1919, when he opened an independent office.William E. Connelley, "Glen Herbert Thomas" in History of Kansas: State and People 4 (Chicago and New York: American Historical Society, 1928): 1758-1759.

In 1944 he formed the partnership of Thomas & Harris with Arthur B. Harris , an employee since 1920."Harris, Arthur B." in American Architects Directory (New York: R. R. Bowker Company, 1956): 229. In 1953 the partnership was reorganized as Thomas–Harris–Calvin & Associates to reflect the addition of Roy E. Calvin Jr. , an employee since 1946."Calvin, Roy E., Jr." in American Architects Directory (New York: R. R. Bowker Company, 1956): 80. Harris died in 1957, and the partnership was expanded to include electrical engineer Glen C. Thomas and architect Robert B. Harris , sons of Thomas and Harris. Thomas was senior partner of the firm until his death in 1962."Thomas, Glen Herbert" in Who Was Who in America (Chicago: Marquis Who's Who, 1976): 936.

Thomas was a member of the Wichita City Planning Commission from 1927 to 1938 and from 1940 to 1945 and was chair of the Sedgwick County Planning Commission from 1951 to 1958. He joined the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in 1929 as a member of the Kansas chapter and was elected a Fellow in 1957 is recognition of his public service and for his service to the AIA."Newly Elected Fellows, 1957" in AIA Journal 28, no. 2 (June, 1957): 123-126.

Legacy After his death, Thomas' firm was continued by his partners. With more partnership changes, the firm was changed to Thomas, Harris & Ash in 1964 and to Thomas, Harris, Ash & Mason in 1968. In 1978 it was incorporated as Thomas Harris Ash & Mason PA, which was changed to THAM Associates PA in 1983. In 1988 it merged with Planning Development Services Inc. to form Oblinger, Mason, McCluggage & Van Sickle. This changed to McCluggage, Van Sickle & Perry in 1994, which merged in 2010 with Gossen Livingston Associates to form GLMV Architecture Inc. The combined firm considers Thomas to be its founder and celebrated its hundreth anniversary in 2019. In 2024 the name was changed again to TESSERE."Over 100 Years of Design Excellence," TESSERE, no date. Accessed July 3, 2024.

At least eight buildings designed by Thomas and his partners have been listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places.

Personal life Thomas was married in 1919 to Onus Pearl Deichman. They had two children, Glen Courtney and Jane Louise. Thomas died November 19, 1962 at the age of 73.

Architectural works Glen H. Thomas, 1919–1944 1923 – Hotel Broadview, 110 W 6th Ave, Emporis, Kansas 1923 – Western Newspaper Union Building, 201 S St Francis Ave, Wichita, Kansas 1929 – Stackman Court Apartments, 1207 Franklin Ave, Wichita, KansasStackman Court Apartments NRHP Registration Form (1991) 1929 – Wichita North High School, 1437 N Rochester St, Wichita, KansasDavid H. Sachs and George Ehrlich, Guide to Kansas Architecture (Lawrence: University Press of Kansas, 1996): 245. 1930 – Allen's Market, 2938 E. Douglas Ave, Wichita, KansasAllen's Market NRHP Registration Form (2006) 1931 – Field Kindley High School, 1110 W 8th St, Coffeyville, Kansas"Thomas, Glen H(erbert)" in American Architects Directory (New York: R. R. Bowker Company, 1956): 555. 1935 – Eugene Ware Elementary School, 900 E. 3rd St, Fort Scott, KansasEugene Ware Elementary School NRHP Registration Form (2005) 1935 – Wichita Municipal Airport terminal (former), Wichita, KansasDavid H. Sachs and George Ehrlich, Guide to Kansas Architecture (Lawrence: University Press of Kansas, 1996): 253. 1937 – Ashland Elementary School, 210 W. 7th St, Ashland, KansasAshland Grade School NRHP Registration Form (2005) 1938 – Dighton High School, 200 S. Wichita Ave, Dighton, KansasLane County Community High School NRHP Registration Form (2005)

Thomas & Harris, 1944–1953 1949 – St. Patrick Catholic Church, 2007 N Arkansas Ave, Wichita, Kansas 1951 – Clark County Courthouse, 913 Highland St, Ashland, KansasDavid H. Sachs and George Ehrlich, Guide to Kansas Architecture (Lawrence: University Press of Kansas, 1996): 300. 1953 – Kansas Gas & Electric Company Building, 120 E 1st St N, Wichita, KansasDavid H. Sachs and George Ehrlich, Guide to Kansas Architecture (Lawrence: University Press of Kansas, 1996): 242. 1953 – Wichita West High School, 820 S Osage St Wichita, Kansas

Thomas–Harris–Calvin & Associates, 1953–1964 1954 – Smoky Valley High School, 1 Viking Blvd, Lindsborg, Kansas 1954 – Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport terminal, Wichita, Kansas 1955 – Nemaha County Courthouse, 607 Nemaha St, Seneca, KansasDavid H. Sachs and George Ehrlich, Guide to Kansas Architecture (Lawrence: University Press of Kansas, 1996): 187. 1956 – Sedgwick County Courthouse, 525 N Main St, Wichita, KansasDavid H. Sachs and George Ehrlich, Guide to Kansas Architecture (Lawrence: University Press of Kansas, 1996): 244. 1958 – Fourth National Bank Building, 100–110 N Market St, Wichita, KansasFourth National Bank Building NRHP Registration Form (2013)

Notes

References