Edward Bassford

Who was Edward Bassford?

Edward Payson Bassford was an architect who practiced in St. Paul, Minnesota in the late 19th century. Born in Calais Maine on June 7, 1837, he moved to St. Paul in 1866. He worked in the office of Abraham Radcliffe for a time, then founded his own architectural firm. By the 1870s, Bassford was the busiest architect in St. Paul, working on designs for houses, schools, and many commercial buildings. His firm also employed architects who later were famous in their own right, such as Cass Gilbert, Augustus Gauger, Edward J. Donohue, Silas Jacobson, and Charles Bassford. He died in Osakis, Minnesota on July 20, 1912.

Several of his designs are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These include:

John M. Armstrong House, 225 Eagle Parkway, St. Paul, MN

Frederic A. Donahower House 1873, Minnesota Avenue and Locust Street, St. Peter, MN

The Murray-Lanpher House in Irvine Park Historic District, St. Paul, MN

Merchants National Bank, 366-368 Jackson Street, St. Paul, MN

Nicollet County Courthouse and Jail, 501 S, Minnesota Ave., St. Peter, MN

Nicollet House Hotel, Minnesota Ave. at Park Row, St. Peter, MN

Old Main at Gustavus Adolphus College, Gustavus Adolphus College campus, St. Peter, MN