Paul Revere Williams

Architect | 1894-1980
Photograph by Allan Grant courtesty of The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty Images

While little is known at this time, we hope to resolve the locations and status of Williams' projects in San Diego County.

Photograph by Allan Grant courtesty of The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty Images

Architect Paul Revere Williams was born on February 18, 1894 and raised in Los Angeles. Following his studies at Los Angeles School of Art and Design and at the L.A. Beaux-Arts Institute of Design Atelier, he worked as a landscape architect with Wilbur Cook Jr. Williams followed by a degree in architectural engineering from USC (1916-1919). When he secured his license to practice he was the first African-American architect west of the Mississippi.

Williams went on to work for John C. Austin (1921-1924) before opening his own firm. He published “The Small Home for Tomorrow” and “New Homes for Today” both in 1945. Collaborations with Wallace Neff, A. Quincy Jones preceded his time with the Navy as an architect. He worked with William Pereira on the 1961 Los Angeles Airport Theme Building.

His practice spanned much of Southern California including homes for celebrities including Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Lon Chaney and Barbara Stanwyck

In 1957, he became the first Black member to be inducted into the AIA's College of Fellows.

He retired in 1973 and died on January 23, 1980 at age 85.

Partial List of Projects

Baranov, Nathan House (1953)
La Jolla

Berenson, Milo House (1952)
La Jolla

Oceanside Project (year unknown)
Oceanside
*Reportedly 75 houses

Williams, Paul House (1920)
418 Pearl Street, La Jolla
*Built by J. S. Atkinson

Wilson, Raymond House (1954)
La Jolla