Skip to main content

Niels Esperson Building photo album

 Collection
Identifier: MS 1030
Finding aid note: Stored onsite at the Woodson Research Center in small manuscripts.

Content Description

The collection contains a photo album containing 45 black and white photos of the interior and exterior of the Niels Esperson Building in Houston, Texas, ca. 1927. The album includes images of a high-ceilinged lobby with elaborate light fixtures and ornamentation in bronze and mosaic, wide hallways, revolving doors, a rooftop designed for public use, with tiled walkways and cast-iron railings, enormous columns, a marble staircase, and a bank vault. Three images include Mrs. Esperson herself.

Dates

  • circa 1927

Conditions Governing Access

This material is open for research. Stored onsite at the Woodson Research Center.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish material from the Niels Esperson Building photo album must be obtained from the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library. The Woodson Research Center use policy is that researchers assume sole responsibility for any infringement of privacy, literary rights, copyrights, or other rights arising from their use of the archival materials. In addition to any restrictions placed by donors, certain kinds of archival materials are restricted for the life of the creator plus 50 years. These materials include, but are not limited to, student grades, transcripts, and any job applications or recommendations.

Biographical / Historical

The 32-story Niels Esperson building was once the largest office building in Houston. Designed in Italian Renaissance style by Chicago architect John Everson, it was constructed between 1925 and 1927 for developer Mellie Keenan Esperson as a tribute to her husband, Niels, a Houston oil and real estate tycoon who died in 1922. It is a highly ornate building, featuring a gold-leaf tower topped by an elaborate six-story tiered monument, terra-cotta urns, bronze elevator doors, arabesque obelisks, and extensive use of imported Roman marble.

Extent

0.10 Linear Feet (1 folder)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Overview

The collection consists of a photo album containing 45 black and white photos of the interior and exterior of the Niels Esperson Building in Houston, Texas, ca. 1927.

Arrangement

The materials in this collection have been arranged in one series as follows:

Series I: General

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The materials were donated by Melissa Kean in July 2022

Subjects

Record Groups

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Guide to the Niels Esperson Building photo album, ca 1927
Status
Completed
Author
Traci Patterson
Date
2022
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Woodson Research Center, Rice University, Houston, Texas Repository

https://library.rice.edu/woodson
Contact:
Fondren Library MS-44, Rice University
6100 Main St.
Houston Texas 77005 USA

Broaden your search:
Texas Archival Resources Online - statewide search of archival finding aids
ArchiveGrid - international search of archival finding aids
Scholarship.rice.edu - Rice University digital content

Harmful Content Statement
© 2023 Woodson Research Center
Fondren Library, Rice University
Physical Address: 6100 Main, Houston, Texas 77005-1827
Mailing Address: MS-44, P.O. Box 1892, Houston, Texas 77251-1892