Established around 1881 by Edward P. Hazlehurst, recently of the firm of Frank Furness, and Samuel Huckel, Jr., an alumnus of the firm of Benjamin D. Price, this firm operated a general practice, including a strong showing in country houses (J. F. Sinnott residence, 1889, Rosemont, PA, now part of Rosemont College), churches (Church of the Messiah, 1888, Broad Street and Montgomery Avenue), and the Manufacturers Club (1409 Walnut Street, Philadelphia), a commission which they won in an 1887 competition. In both the Sinnott residence and the Manufacturers Club, detail similar to that seen in T. P. Chandler's residential design can be observed, testifying to the impact of that architect on the young Hazlehurst. In later years the firm also expanded into bank design (Wilkes-Barre Safe & Deposit Co., Wilkes-Barre, PA, 1898) as well as several structures for the City of Philadelphia. However, in 1900 the partners disbursed after Huckel gained the commission to remodel Grand Central Station in New York City and re-located to that city. Although Huckel would soon return to Philadelphia, the partners did not reconstitute their office; and Huckel went on to establish a new partnership with church architect Frank R. Watson (Watson & Huckel) while Hazlehurst worked independently.

Fortunately for researchers, the partners published two compilations of their work in Architecture through a Camera in 1894 and 1896. Further, Philadelphia and Popular Philadelphians (1895) included a biography of the firm as well as a list of commissions, including some prices for the work. As the Popular Philadelphians editors stated, "The firm has acquired a high reputation for the beauty and reliability of its plans, and has successfully executed some of the most important undertakings in this city and vicinity."

Written by Sandra L. Tatman.

Born: 12/29/1853, Died: 1/12/1915

The son of John and Elizabeth Dunlap (Blithe) Hazlehurst, Edward P. Hazlehurst was born near Brandenburg, Meade Co., KY, where his mother's family maintained a plantation. After graduating from the Faires' Classical Institute in Philadelphia, young Hazlehurst entered the University of Pennsylvania, Towne Scientific School, in the Class of 1876 but left the college at the close of the first term of his junior year, lured away by work in the offices of such eminent Philadelphia architects as T. P. Chandler (1874-1876?) and Frank Furness (1876-1881). By 1881 he and Samuel Huckel, Jr. had established Hazlehurst & Huckel. A successful residential design firm, Hazlehurst & Huckel endured until 1900, when Huckel received the commission to remodel Grand Central Station in New York City; and the partnership dissolved. Although Huckel returned to Philadelphia in 1901/02, the partners did not reunite; and Hazlehurst pursued an independent career until his death in Media, PA, in 1915. Divested of Huckel, Hazlehurst's later career included considerable academic work, among the commissions four buildings at Pennsylvania State College from 1902 to 1915. Hazlehurst joined the Philadelphia Chapter of the AIA in 1875 as a junior member, becoming a full member in 1879. He joined the national AIA in 1881 and in the 1883/84 academic year served as judge of the annual architectural drawing competition held at Spring Garden Institute.

Written by Sandra L. Tatman.

Born: 1858, Died: 4/18/1917

Samuel Huckel, Jr., was born in the Frankford section of Philadelphia. He was the son of William S. Huckel, treasurer of Baugh & Sons, and Ruth A. Huckel. After graduating from Central High School in 1879 and spending several months studying with painter William E. Winner (according to the American Art Annual, v. 5), the young Huckel entered the office of Benjamin D. Price, church architect and purveyor of imitation stained glass. He appears to have remained with Price at least until 1881, then establishing a partnership with Edward Hazelhurst under the name Hazelhurst & Huckel. This arrangement endured until Huckel won the competition to remodel the old Grand Central Station in New York City and relocated to New York. When Huckel returned to Philadelphia in 1901, the partnership did not resume; and instead Huckel established a new office with church architect Frank R. Watson (Watson & Huckel). It is possible that Huckel had concentrated on church design during his relationship with Hazelhurst; but with Watson he cemented those ties to ecclesiastical architecture; and Watson & Huckel continued until Huckel's death in 1917. Not surprisingly, the firm achieved a considerable reputation for church design and included among their work the Muhlenberg College Chapel in Allentown, PA, and St. Marks Church in the Frankford neighborhood, where both partners had been born. Huckel joined the Philadelphia Chapter of the AIA in 1879 and the national AIA in 1881. He traveled extensively in Europe. Following his death, an architectural prize was established in his memory at the University of Pennsylvania.

Written by Sandra L. Tatman.