The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1896-08-08
CAPTURED THE THIRD PRIZE
Los Angeles to the Front IN the Montana
Cspitol Competition
Building Superintendent Charles L. Strange
Is Third on the List, Carrying OIL q
Thousand Dollars

Charles L. Strange, building superin-
tendent of the city. has added a large
sized leaf to his reputation as an archi-
tect while incidentally giving to Los
Angeles an advertisement of more than
unusual magnitude.
The new state of Montana is about to
construct a state capitol building the
cost of which will be, when completed,
over one million dollars. The structure
is to stand at Helena. The capitol COM
mission of the state, of which Governor
Richards is at the head, some months
ago advertised for competitive plans
and specifications inviting the archi-
tects of the world to submit samples of
their skill so that the commission might
make no mistake in its selection.
1t was purely by accident that Super
intendent Strange saw copy of this adj
vertisement in the columns of an east
ern architectural publication. 1t was
rather daring thing to do so far as any
hope of ultimate success might be con-
cerned, but Strange determined to enter
the competition.
He consulted Thomas Stent, who in
his day had been one of the leading ar
chitects in this or any other country, he
having constructed the parliament
buildings at Melbourne, Australia, OF
taWa, Canada, and other structures OF
equal Importance.
Stent is not in active practice now,
having retired several years ago on a
competency, the result of his successful
professional labors.
The old gentleman willingly entered
into Strange's determination to at once
shy his castor into the ring, and between
hoO 70 Ia hnr n
bring if possible the building of the pro-
posed Montana capitol to brains from
Los Angeles.
Strange did his portion of the work on
the plans during vacation granted him
by the city council, employing substi-
tute the while at his own expense to look
after his official duties
| Forty-nine plans were altogether sub
mitted by architects from all over the
United States to the Montana authori'
ties. The competition was opened at
Helena. There was the usual pulling,
hauling and wire working incidental to
| all such competition, upon those who
were to pass final judgment. This re-
| suited in innumerable adjournments of
| the capitol commission, the members of
| which were apparently unable to arrive
| at any conclusion.
Thursday morning telegram reached
| this city informing Strange that his
| competition. There were altogether
| four awards in the big struggle, the first
| prize making the successful winner the
superintendent of construction on the
proposed building at a compensation of
five per cent of it's total cost of one mill
| ion. The second prize won the sum of
| $500 in cash; the third won $1,000, and
! the fourth $500. The first prize was car
red off by st. Louis architect the sec
| ond by one from st. Paul, and the third
by Charles L. Strange, the building su :
perintendent of Los Angeles.
All of the leading architects in the
country submitted plans, seeking to win
either the big award in the first prize,
or one of the other three, the securing of
any of which gives to the successful
competitor national fame. San Fran
cisco was largely represented in the
competition which has just ended, as
We're also New York. Chicago, Boston,
| Philadelphia and st. Louis.
| Strange has been busy since Thurs
| day receiving the congratulations of his
| friends and brother architects of the
| city.