Oliver W. Fontaine (born 1900) was an American architect from Woonsocket, Rhode Island.
Biography Oliver Fontaine was born in late 1900 in Woonsocket, Rhode Island to local architect Walter F. Fontaine,American Architects Directory. New York: R. R. Bowker, 1955. then at the beginning of his successful career. He attended the Lowell Textile School,American Architects Directory. New York: R. R. Bowker, 1970. and entered the Fontaine office in 1921, along with his brother, Paul N. Fontaine. In 1935 they were admitted to the firm as partners, as Walter F. Fontaine & Sons. The partnership remained until 1938, when Walter Fontaine died when the Hurricane of 1938 destroyed the family summer home. The firm, now Walter F. Fontaine, Inc., existed until 1942, when Paul joined the war effort.
Upon his brother's departure, Oliver Fontaine established his own Woonsocket office. He practiced alone until 1967, when he added Charles Seavor as partner. Seavor had been a designer in the office since at least 1963,Hope Village Historic District NRHP Nomination. 1995. and would lead the office in the 1970s.
Architect Joseph M. Mosher also worked for the Fontaine office in the 1930s and 1940s.
Architectural works Walter F. Fontaine, Inc., 1938–1942 1939 – St. Antoine Hospice, 10 Rhodes Ave, North Smithfield, Rhode IslandBridgemen's Magazine 1937: 283.Bridgemen's Magazine 1939: 406. Demolished. 1940 – Morin Heights, Woonsocket, Rhode IslandBridgemen's Magazine 1940: 209. 1941 – Convent for St. Aloysius R. C. Church, 323 Rathbun St, Woonsocket, Rhode IslandBridgemen's Magazine 1941: 211. 1942 – Bristol Worsted Mills, 345 Thames St, Bristol, Rhode IslandBridgemen's Magazine 1942: 415.
Oliver W. Fontaine, 1942–1967 1948 – Barry Memorial Field, 44 Smithfield Rd, Woonsocket, Rhode IslandEngineering News-Record April 15, 1948: 168. New York. 1950 – Woonsocket High School Gymnasium, 357 Park Pl, Woonsocket, Rhode IslandEngineering News-Record November 16, 1950: 85. New York. 1952 – Ste Jeanne d'Arc School, 68 Dracut St, Lowell, Massachusetts 1955 – St. Louis de France R. C. Church, 221 W 6th St, Lowell, Massachusetts 1955 – St. Mary's R. C. School, 30 Broad St, Marlborough, Massachusetts 1959 – St. James R. C. School, 57 Division St, Manville, Rhode IslandAmerican Architects Directory. New York: R. R. Bowker, 1962. 1960 – St. Joseph's R. C. School, 1210 Mendon Rd, Woonsocket, Rhode Island 1961 – St. Blaise R. C. Church, 1158 S Main St, Bellingham, Massachusetts 1961 – St. Frances Xavier Cabrini R. C. Church, 27 Hood Rd, North Scituate, Massachusetts 1962 – St. Anne R. C. School, 20 Como Rd, Hyde Park, Massachusetts 1963 – Hope Library, 374 North Rd, Hope, Rhode Island 1964 – St. Vincent de Paul R. C. School, 6 St Vincent de Paul St, Anthony, Rhode Island 1964 – Ste. Chretienne Academy (Former), 11 Harrison Rd, Salem, Massachusetts Now part of the south campus of Salem State University. 1966 – Convent for St. Joseph's R. C. Church, 22 Lyman St, Waltham, Massachusetts Demolished.
Oliver W. Fontaine Associates, from 1967 1969 – Joseph L. McCourt Middle School, 45 Highland Ave, Cumberland, Rhode Island
Seavor Associates 1974 – Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs, R. C. Church, 1409 Park Ave, Woonsocket, Rhode Island 1974 – Marquette Credit Union Building, 191 Social St, Woonsocket, Rhode IslandEngineering News-Record Feb. 1974: 133. To this day, this is the tallest building in Woonsocket.
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