Franklin J. Sawtelle (October 9, 1846 – March 9, 1911) was an American architect in practice in Providence, Rhode Island from 1880 until his death in 1911. Sawtelle had a varied practice but was best known for the design of single-family homes.
Life and career Sawtelle was born October 9, 1846 in Norridgewock, Maine to George Sawtelle and Sarah Herrick Sawtelle, nee Peet. He was educated in the local schools, and as a teenager began his architectural studies in the Portland office of Francis H. Fassett. In 1873 he relocated to Providence, taking a job with Stone & Carpenter. After seven years, in 1880, he opened his own office. He practiced independently for his entire career, except during 1901–1902, when he was senior member of the partnership of Sawtelle, Robertson & Shurrocks with Wayland T. Robertson and Alfred F. Shurrocks."Franklin J. Sawtelle, F. A. I. A.". American Institute of Architects Quarterly Bulletin 1911: 48. Sawtelle died in 1911, while engaged on the commission for the Wheeler School.Woodward, Wm. McKenzie. Providence: A Citywide Survey of Historic Resources. 1986. The school was completed by Sawtelle's associate, Frances E. Henley.
Sawtelle was actively involved in the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects. He joined in 1885, and between then and his death served in several different official capacities including as president from 1908 to 1910.
Personal life Sawtelle was married in 1873 to Delia Tappan of Norridgewock. They had no children. Sawtelle died March 9, 1911 in Providence at the age of 64."F. J. Sawtelle Dead; Veteran Architect," Providence Journal, March 10, 1911.
Architectural works Franklin J. Sawtelle, 1880–1901 and 1902–1911 1882 — James Street School, 75 James St, East Providence, Rhode IslandEast Providence, Rhode Island: Statewide Preservation Report P-EP-1. 1976. 1883 — Mary C. Wheeler house, 26 Cabot St, Providence, Rhode IslandSanitary Engineer 30 Aug. 1883: 308. 1884 — Horton Building, 19 Park St, Attleboro, MassachusettsAmerican Architect and Building News 5 Jan. 1884: 12. 1885 — Bates Block, 7 N Main St, Attleboro, MassachusettsSanitary Engineer 16 July 1885: 136. 1886 — Mary J. A. Grinnell house, 2 Brenton Ave, Providence, Rhode IslandOlney Street-Alumni Avenue Historic District NRHP Nomination. 1989. 1888 — Blackstone Park Chapel, 209 Wayland Ave, Providence, Rhode IslandHistorical Manual: Central Congregational Church, Providence, Rhode Island. 1902. 1889 — Hope Webbing Company Mill, 999-1005 Main St, Pawtucket, Rhode Island 1889 — Horatio A. Hunt House, 165 Waterman St, Providence, Rhode IslandEngineering and Building Record 29 Oct. 1889: 196. 1891 — Gregory Building, 1 Main St, Wickford, Rhode IslandNorth Kingstown, R. I.: Statewide Historical Preservation Report W-NK-1. 1979 1893 — Sophia F. Brown house, 192 Bowen St, Providence, Rhode IslandEngineering Record 17 June 1893: 49. 1893 — Central Congregational Church, 296 Angell St, Providence, Rhode Island 1893 — Central Congregational Church rectory, 20 Diman Pl, Providence, Rhode Island 1893 — Stephen W. Sessions house, 274 Olney St, Providence, Rhode Island 1894 — Miro O. Weeden house, 81 Brown St, Providence, Rhode IslandAmerican Architect and Building News 6 Oct. 1894: 6. 1895 — Edwin P. Anthony house, 180 Angell St, Providence, Rhode Island 1895 — Theodore H. Bliss house, 46 Cooke St, Providence, Rhode IslandJordy, William H. Buildings of Rhode Island. 2004. 1896 — Charles A. Calder house, 50 Humboldt Ave, Providence, Rhode IslandEngineering Record 12 Oct. 1895: x. 1896 — Francis W. Carpenter house, 276 Angell St, Providence, Rhode Island 1898 — North Kingstown Free Library (former), 55 Brown St, Wickford, Rhode Island 1904 — Taftville Congregational Church, 16 N B St, Taftville, ConnecticutReal Estate Record and Builders' Guide 17 Sept. 1904: 604. 1905 — Smith-Malmstead house, 77 Princeton Ave, Providence, Rhode Island Providence Festival of Historic Houses June 2–4, 1989 1906 — Sarah L. Herreshoff house, 11 Burton St, Bristol, Rhode IslandHistoric and Architectural Resources of Bristol, Rhode Island. 1990. 1909 — C. Abbott Phillips house, 150 Slater Ave, Providence, Rhode IslandBlackstone Boulevard-Cole Avenue-Grotto Avenue Historic District NRHP Nomination. 2009. 1911 — Church of Our Father (former), 222 High St, Pawtucket, Rhode Island"A Woman Architect And Her Achievements," Providence Journal, June 11, 1911, 8. 1913 — Wheeler School Hope Building, 216 Hope St, Providence, Rhode Island
Sawtelle, Robertson & Shurrocks, 1901–1902 1902 — U. S. Post Office, 652-656 Broadway, Olneyville, Providence, Rhode IslandAmerican Architect and Building News 15 Feb. 1902: xi. 1902 — Mary L. McCarthy duplex, 71-73 Barnes St, Providence, Rhode IslandProvidence Preservation Society Records for 71-73 Barnes Street. 1987. 1902 — Charles M. Mumford house, 315 Olney St, Providence, Rhode Island 1902 — Robert B. Parker house, 67 Manning St, Providence, Rhode Island 1902 — Simeon B. Tilley house, 353 Olney St, Providence, Rhode Island
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