Albert Weiblen
Encyclopedia
Albert Weiblen was a German-born American
architect
and sculptor. His company, the Albert Weiblen Marble & Granite Company, was based in New Orleans and specialized in monuments and burial structures
.
, though his place of birth is sometimes noted as Menzingen
, Switzerland
. He immigrated to New Orleans in 1885 and went to work as a sculptor for Kursheedt and Bienvenu, buying the company in 1887 and renaming it the Albert Weiblen
Marble & Granite Company.
The Weiblen company operated a large quarry in Stone Mountain, Georgia. Day-to-day work at the quarry was initially overseen by Weiblen himself, though he later hired Italian sculptor Theodore Bottinelli. The firm served New Orleans patrons primarily, as well as many other parts of the South. Weiblen operated a showroom in New Orleans at 116 City Park Avenue. Most of Weiblen's monuments were of Amphiprostyle
design.
After Weiblen's death at the age of 100, his daughter in law (mother of British triathlete Catriona Morrison
) Norma Merritt Weiblen took up company operations. In 1969, Weiblen Marble & Granite was sold to Stewart Enterprises
. The Weiblen company papers are now held within the collections of the Southeastern Architectural Archive at Tulane University
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
and sculptor. His company, the Albert Weiblen Marble & Granite Company, was based in New Orleans and specialized in monuments and burial structures
Tomb
A tomb is a repository for the remains of the dead. It is generally any structurally enclosed interment space or burial chamber, of varying sizes...
.
Life and career
Weiblen was born in WürttembergWürttemberg
Württemberg , formerly known as Wirtemberg or Wurtemberg, is an area and a former state in southwestern Germany, including parts of the regions Swabia and Franconia....
, though his place of birth is sometimes noted as Menzingen
Menzingen
Menzingen is a municipality in the canton of Zug in Switzerland.-Geography:Menzingen has an area, , of . Of this area, 62.5% is used for agricultural purposes, while 28.3% is forested...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. He immigrated to New Orleans in 1885 and went to work as a sculptor for Kursheedt and Bienvenu, buying the company in 1887 and renaming it the Albert Weiblen
Marble & Granite Company.
The Weiblen company operated a large quarry in Stone Mountain, Georgia. Day-to-day work at the quarry was initially overseen by Weiblen himself, though he later hired Italian sculptor Theodore Bottinelli. The firm served New Orleans patrons primarily, as well as many other parts of the South. Weiblen operated a showroom in New Orleans at 116 City Park Avenue. Most of Weiblen's monuments were of Amphiprostyle
Amphiprostyle
In classical architecture, Amphiprostyle denotes a temple with a portico both at the front and the rear. This never exceeded the use of four columns in the front, and four in the rear. The best-known example is the tetrastyle small Temple of Athena Nike at Athens.See also the Temple of Venus and...
design.
After Weiblen's death at the age of 100, his daughter in law (mother of British triathlete Catriona Morrison
Catriona Morrison
Catriona Morrison is a British triathlete and duathlete of Scottish origin.In 2005 she won the silver medal at the ITU Duathlon World Championships. In 2006 she followed this up with gold and took another silver medal at the Long Distance Duathlon World Championships...
) Norma Merritt Weiblen took up company operations. In 1969, Weiblen Marble & Granite was sold to Stewart Enterprises
Stewart Enterprises
Stewart Enterprises, Inc. is the second largest provider of funeral and cemetery services in the United States. The company is headquartered in Jefferson, Louisiana and employs nearly 5,400 people in 218 funeral homes and 140 cemeteries in 24 states and Puerto Rico. The company is publicly traded...
. The Weiblen company papers are now held within the collections of the Southeastern Architectural Archive at Tulane University
Tulane University
Tulane University is a private, nonsectarian research university located in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States...
.
Famous works
- Tomb of Lodge No.30 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of ElksBenevolent and Protective Order of ElksThe Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is an American fraternal order and social club founded in 1868...
, Greenwood CemeteryGreenwood Cemetery, New OrleansGreenwood Cemetery is a cemetery in New Orleans, Louisiana.The cemetery was opened in 1852, and is located on City Park Avenue in the Navarre neighborhood.The cemetery has a number of impressive monuments and sculptures...
, New Orleans, 1912 - William G. Helis mausoleum, Metairie CemeteryMetairie CemeteryMetairie Cemetery is a cemetery in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. The name has caused some people to mistakenly presume that the cemetery is located in Metairie, Louisiana, but it is located within the New Orleans city limits, on Metairie Road .-History:This site was previously a horse...
, New Orleans, nd - Tomb of Josie ArlingtonJosie ArlingtonJosie Arlington was a brothel madam in the Storyville district of New Orleans, Louisiana.-Early life:Arlington was born Mary Deubler in New Orleans to German parents. Though very attractive and shrewd, Arlington was known to be short-tempered and violent...
, Metairie CemeteryMetairie CemeteryMetairie Cemetery is a cemetery in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. The name has caused some people to mistakenly presume that the cemetery is located in Metairie, Louisiana, but it is located within the New Orleans city limits, on Metairie Road .-History:This site was previously a horse...
, New Orleans, 1914 - Thomas Egleston Monument, Atlanta, 1918
- Tombs of Joseph and Lucca Vaccaro, Metairie Cemetery, New Orleans, 1920's
- Downman Tomb, Metairie Cemetery, New Orleans, 1920