John Hudson Thomas: Letter From Friend Of The Family

A letter to BAHA April 7, 1974 to: Berkeley Architectural Heritage Committee P.O. Box 766 Landscape Station Berkeley, California I knew John Hudson Thomas during his active years in architecture and Berkeley. He was the son-in-law of Professor Wixon of the Department of Horticulture at U.C. Berkeley, later to become editor of the Pacific Rural Press of San Francisco. Prof. Wixon lived in a large house on the northeast corner of College Avenue and Bancroft Way, surrounded by a large garden and fruit trees. During the years 1913, 1914, and 1915 John Hudson Thomas designed and supervised the construction of several homes in various parts of Berkeley. He emphasized the use of redwood beams exposed on the interior and exterior, large features influenced by the Gothic in a style that is distinctly his own. His office was in the First National Bank building on the corner of Shattuck Avenue and Center Street. One notable example of the architecture of Jonathan Thomas is the residence of the late Mr. and Mrs. Duncan at 41 Oak Ave., Claremont Park, Berkeley in which Thomas was given a free hand to express his art. This building stands in the north fork of Temescal Creek which winds completely under the house. Yours trul, Edmund Matignon 50 Hazel Rd. Berkeley 94705 (handwritten note on Xerox: “died 1976”)