James M. Creighton

James Miller Creighton (September 14, 1856 – November 25, 1946) was an American architect who practiced in Phoenix, Arizona from the 1880s to the 1920s. He is considered to be one of Arizona's first architects.

Creighton was born in Newcastle, New Brunswick, now Miramichi, in 1856. At the age of 13, Creighton began working as an apprentice, to learn carpentry and building. He remained in his native Canada until 1879, when he emigrated to Denver, Colorado. He worked for a local builder, and studied architecture at night school. Interested in opportunities in Arizona, he moved, this time to Tucson. There, he formed a partnership with J. M. Henderson. in 1882 he moved on to Phoenix, hoping to get a job on the construction of the new Maricopa County Courthouse. Unsuccessful, he formed a partnership, Patton & Creighton, with Samuel E. Patton. Patton had been the successful bidder on the courthouse's carpentry.

Gradually, he focused more and more on design and less on building, and opened an office for the practice of architecture in late 1887, after obtaining the commission for City Hall. He practiced alone until the mid-1890s, when he added Denslow W. Millard, formerly of Minnesota, as a partner. The firm of Creighton & Millard only lasted until 1897, When Millard went on to establish his own practice. Circa 1898, he partnered with C. Schenstrom as Creighton & Schenstrom, and ended the partnership in 1899.

Around the turn of the century, Creighton moved to Birmingham, Alabama, in the face of a severe drought that limited opportunities. However, he soon returned to Phoenix. In 1905 he again partnered with Millard, this time as Millard & Creighton. The partnership lasted until 1907. That year, Creighton associated with Henry C. Trost of El Paso. The resulting firm, Trost & Creighton, was organized to supervise Trost's Arizona work. They dissolved partnership in 1908, when Trost established Trost & Trost. Creighton practiced alone until 1915, establishing Creighton & McDonald, but soon returned to private practice. He continued to practice under his own name until the mid-1920s.

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