William H. Willcox

William H. Willcox (Brooklyn, 26 May 1832 — Yountville, California, 1 February 1929) was an American architect and surveyor who practised in Brooklyn and New York (1850s-70), Chicago, Illinois (1871-ca. 1879), Nebraska (1879–82), St. Paul, Minnesota (1882–91), Seattle, Washington (1891–95), Los Angeles (1895–98) and San Francisco (1898-1912?).

Willcox's first appearance is as the designer of a "Suburban Octagonal Cottage" illustrated in plan and elevation in John Bullock, The American Cottage Builder: A Series of Designs, Plans, and Specifications (New York: Stringer & Townshend) 1854:239f; the design, which could be well executed in wood for about $1500, was described at length in Willcox's own words. In later life Willcox claimed to have been the uncredited architect of Grammar School 51 at 519 West 44th Street, New York City, built in 1858.

He served in the American Civil War with the 95th New York Infantry, December 1861 to September 1863, as a topographical engineer who prepared the well-known map of the battle of Antietam for Brig. Gen. Abner Doubleday, and reaching the rank of lieutenant before he was released after Gettysburg. After his release from service, in partnership with the well-known New York architect Gamaliel King, he assisted in constructing the Kings County Savings Bank in Williamsburgh, Brooklyn, built 1860-67.

Willcox relocated to Chicago by 1871, where he was briefly employed by Dankmar Adler. He opened his own office in Chicago by 1872, practicing in the city until 1879; from 1875 to 1877 he was a partner in the Chicago firm Willcox and Miller. After 1879 Willcox moved to Nebraska, where he remained through 1881. Willcox was architect of the Nebraska State Capitol building (1879-1882, destroyed), as well as several other institutional structures in Nebraska.

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