William Waldo DODGE, Jr.
Born on February 6, 1895 in Washington, D.C., William Waldo Dodge, Jr. grew up during the popular era of the Arts and Crafts style in America. He attended Phillips Exeter Academy where courses in manual arts were becoming mandatory.  Dodge broke away from his family history of patent attorneys and enrolled at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the school of architecture.  Shortly before graduation, Dodge, along with crowds of other college students, enlisted in World War I. Returning home in 1919, he spent the next four years in military hospitals and tuberculosis sanatoriums.  During his recovery, Dodge began his journey into silversmithing, learning the basics  from the woman who would become his wife in 1921, Margaret Wheeler Robinson.  The couple settled in Asheville in 1923.  At this time, with his own silver shop,  there was no clear evidence that Dodge was planning on pursuing his architectural career. However, it didn't take long.  Dodge began designing residential homes in 1924 and later French style shops. His style included English Tudor, French Norman, and French country cottage.  In 1940, Dodge and five other Asheville architects and engineers (Henry Irven Gaines, Anthony Lord, W. Stewart Rogers, Erle G. Stillwell, and Charles E. Waddell) pulled together and became known as the Six Associates. Dodge eventually chose to leave Six Associates and began his private practice, consisting mostly of renovations and additions.  After he began experiencing medical difficulties, the Dodges sold their home and retired to their farm. It was here that William Waldo Dodge, Jr. died on February 21, 1971.

H.J. 2005

Biographical Information

The Buildings

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Typological Motifs in Dodge's Work

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