Lyle Welles Underhill (1890-1983) Papers (KC136)

Relatively little information is available about the life and work of the Kansas City architect, Lyle W. Underhill. She was born Anna Lyle Welles, presumably in Kansas City, Missouri, graduated from Westport High School in 1909, and attended the Alabama Polytechnic Institute and University of Illinois - Chicago studying architectural design. It is likely that while in Chicago, Lyle met and married Harold W. Underhill, also a student of architecture at the University.

Sometime prior to World War I, the couple returned to Kansas City and were associated with the firms, White, Underhill and Dean, and also Underhill and Dean (April 1915?). However, by late 1915, they had established the office of H.W. Underhill and Company. By late 1917, Harold Underhill reportedly "retired from business during the duration of the War." Lyle Underhill continued to operate the company alone. There is no additional information concerning what became of Harold Underhill after this date. Lyle Underhill is know to have also been an architect associated with the Kansas City Southern Railroad Company and with A.O. Beattie, an architect in Hutchinson, Kansas; and as a designer with the Kansas City Show Case Works Company.

The papers contain architectural drawings, specifications, contracts, photographs, some correspondence, and related memorabilia concerning Lyle Welles Underhill's career and work. The largest group of architectural drawings pertain to school buildings in Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri, designed by Mrs. Underhill and her husband, H.W. Underhill, however, other types of buildings are also included. ca. 1911-ca 1959.

27 folders (MICROFORM)

© WHMC-KC, University of Missouri

updated: Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Western Historical Manuscript Collection-Kansas City
(816) 235-1543 WHMCKC@umkc.edu