Hilamon Spencer Laird (1834-1915) was a San Luis Obispo architect.

Laird was born in Utica, New York, 1 September, 1834.2, 27 No evidence has been found to suggest he held formal architectural training. 

By 1850, census records suggest Laird and his parents and siblings were living in Middlebury, Indiana as farmers, and newspapers suggest he and his brothers were in Marin County by 1857. He married Harriet (Hattie) Logan (1848-1929) in Sonoma, California, May 31, 1866. The 1870 census lists Laird as living in Marin County, occupation listed as Dairyman, with his wife and two children. The Lairds had three children, Lottie L., May (or Mary), and Robert M.

Newspaper records suggest the Laird family arrived in San Luis Obispo by at least 1874. Hattie's parents were living in Cambria in the 1870 census, which may explain what brought the Lairds to San Luis Obispo county.

In 1874, newspaper records begin to document Laird practicing architecture, with his design of the Methodist Episcopal Church on Garden Street. Laird was hired to tear down the existing church and use the materials to build the new church on Garden St.

Laird was a member of the firm of Lincoln, Wearmouth, & Co, Builders and Contractors, withdrawing in 1876.26,6  

By 1879, Laird moved to Walla Walla, Washington. The 1880 the census lists Laird as living with his family in , occupation listed as a carpenter-builder.

Newspaper records suggest the family returned to San Luis Obispo by 1882. By 1884 he partnered with Walker (possibly Alfred Walker) to form the firm of Walker and Laird.11

He designed residences, schools, churches, bridges, commercial buildings.

Laird lived at 630 Monterey Street and 1270 Palm Street, and Mill Street. In the 1912 City Directory he was listed as a contractor. He passed away in 1915 and is buried in the I.O.O.F. cemetery.1

He was also referred to as "Spencer H. Laird."

Projects attributed to H. S. Laird:

  • Corral de Piedra Schoolhouse, 188915
  • Methodist Episcopal Church, Garden Street, 187414
  • Bank, Monterey and Court, 1877 7
  • County Hospital, 1878 8
  • Hotel Marre, Port Harford, 1884 9
  • Presbyterian Church, Morro and Marsh, 1884 10
  • Eagle Hotel, 1887 12
  • The Pavilion, 188813
  • Greenfield residence, Pismo Street west of Broad, 1889 25
  • First National Bank, Chorro and Higuera, 1891 16
  • J. P. Andrews Building, 1893-94 17
  • William Shipsey House, 1266 Mill St., 1894 18
  • Rectory for St. Stephens Episcopal Church, 1893
  • Call Building, 894 Monterey, 1895 19
  • Peterson residence, Islay Street, 1896 24
  • Johnson Building (Johnson block, 778-796 Higuera), 1899 20
  • First Presbyterian Church, 1903
  • Warden/Tower Building, 846 Higuera, 1903-04 21
  • Laird Building, Garden and Marsh, c. 1904 
  • Cambria school, 1906 22
  • Recorder Block, Arroyo Grande (?) 23
  • Wickenden building, 86 Block, Higuera Street, 1909 3
  • William Sandercock building, Higuera Street, 1909 4
  • A. F. Fitzgerald building, Higuera Street, 1909 5
  • Portico to Carnegie Library, 1907-1909

See also:

James Papp Presentation on the Johnson Block for the San Luis Obispo City Government, 2022

Citations

1. "Passing of Laird," San Luis Obispo Tribune, 25 June 1915.

2. Ibid.

3. "Drawing the Plans," San Luis Obispo Tribune, 8 June 1909

4. Ibid.

5. Ibid.

6. "Withdrawal from Co-Partnership," San Luis Obispo Tribune, 17 June 1876. 

7. San Luis Obispo Tribune, 24 March 1877

8. San Luis Obispo Tribune, 17 August 1878.

9. "Hotel at Port Harford," San Luis Obispo Tribune, 30 May 1884

10. "Presbyterian Church," San Luis Obispo Tribune, 4 July 1884.

11. Ibid.

12. San Luis Obispo Tribune, 20 May 1887.

13. "The New Agricultural Hall," San Luis Obispo Tribune, 12 July 1888.

14. San Luis Obispo Tribune, 14 March 1874.

15. San Luis Obispo Tribune, 1 August 1889.

16. San Luis Obispo Tribune, 2 September 1891, pg. 3.

17. "New Bank Building," San Luis Obispo Tribune, 20 July 1893. 

18. San Luis Obispo Tribune, 13 July 1894. 

19. "Making Ready," San Luis Obispo Tribune, 12 February 1895.

20. San Luis Obispo Tribune, 21 July, 1899. 

21. San Luis Obispo Tribune, 9 December 1903

22. San Luis Obispo Tribune, 11 February 1906

23. San Luis Obispo Tribune, 6 July 1906

24. "Peterson's House," San Luis Obispo Tribune, 15 April 1896.

25. San Luis Obispo Tribune, 20 October 1889. 

26. "Notice of Withdrawal." San Luis Obispo Tribune (Weekly), Volume 6, Number 293, 27 March 1875

27. Find a Grave

 

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