John Wesley Jones drawings

Collection

Identifier: JONES

Scope and Content of the collection

Spanning the 1940s-1980s, the collection consists of 128 rolls of drawings of residential homes, commercial properties, medical buildings, school, apartments, and churches detailing John Wesley Jones' architectural style and career.

Dates

Creation: 1940-1993

Creator

Jones, John Wesley, 1906-1997 (contributor, Person)

Policies Governing Use and Access

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This collection is open for research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using archival materials. As all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site, advance notice of at least three working days is required for retrieval. Certain items may require additional time for flattening or humidifying before they can be viewed. Access is by appointment only. Please contact the archives’ reference staff for further information.

Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasions of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual’s private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person).

The Alexander Architectural Archives operate in accordance with applicable federal or state laws and regulations, providing unrestricted access to university records not covered by state and federal right to privacy acts.

The Alexander Architectural Archives, The University of Texas Libraries, and The University of Texas at Austin, assume no responsibility for infringement of literary property rights and copyright or for liability to any person for defamation or invasion of privacy that results from a researcher’s use of collections.

Researchers agree to indemnify and hold harmless The University of Texas at Austin, and their officers, employees, and agents from and against all suits, claims, actions, and expenses arising out of use of collections held by the libraries. Please alert staff if anything inappropriate is found during research.

Copyright interests in this collection may not have been transferred to the University of Texas. Researchers assume full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply. Additionally, the public use of material must be cited. See citation information below.

Biographical Sketch of John Wesley Jones

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John Wesley Jones was born on August 18, 1906 on Jones Ranch, Nocona, Texas. His family moved to Fort Worth in 1924. Following his graduation from Central High School in 1927, he briefly attended the University of Oklahoma from 1927-1928. He soon left his studies, returned to Fort Worth, and began his architectural career training with Manville Irwin in 1929. From 1930-1935, Jones was an associate for Humber Hammond Crane. Crane would go on to co-sponsor Jones’ application for The American Institute of Architects (AIA) in 1953.

Beginning in 1936, Jones went on an extensive tour of Europe before settling in Paris. He visited Greece, Malta, Morocco, Crete, Italy, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland, and Great Britain. In Paris, he studied at Beaux Arts in 1936 and Leon Atelier from 1937-1938. He also married Ann Walker (1905-1974) in 1938 after meeting in Paris. Following his return to Fort Worth with his wife, he earned his architecture license in 1939. In 1942, his daughter, Qouidi was born. His son, John (Sandy) Wesley Jones Jr. followed in 1944. He maintained his first practice in Fort Worth and expanded his services to Dallas.

For a great portion of his career, Jones was self-employed and worked primarily on residential homes. Other projects Jones worked on were commercial and medical buildings, schools, churches, hotels, and apartment complexes. He was noted for his mid-century modern style. Some of his key design elements included a garden concept, natural light, use of space, and a stone wall in the living room. Jones was also involved in furniture design. He served as a design consultant with a furniture manufacturing company where he also maintained stock.

Following his divorce, Jones married Marilyn Bragg in 1970. She joined his practice in 1973 to oversee the business side. In 1976, Jones incorporated his business and moved his office to San Antonio, Texas, but continued to work in Dallas. In 1983, Jones returned to Fort Worth for a new apartment complex project. By 1988, Jones’ business practice was limited due to his advanced age. John Wesley Jones died on September 28, 1997.

Sources:

Star-Telegram. The legacy of architect John Wesley Jones' homes, Accessed February 15, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20180604032616/http://www.star-telegram.com/living/indulge/indulge-homes/article3852002.html

Legacy.com.Marilyn Bragg Jones. Accessed February 15, 2017. http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/dallasmorningnews/obituary.aspx?n=marilyn-bragg-jones&pid=89872882.

The AIA Historical Directory of American Architects, s.v. John Wesley Jones, (ahd1022634), Accessed Febraury 15, 2017. https://aiahistoricaldirectory.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/AHDAA/pages/35737509/ahd1022634.

"John Wesley Jones Chronology" compiled by G. Quentin McGown, May 2016

Partial Extent

3295 drawings

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

John Wesley Jones was an architect who worked primarily in Fort Worth, Dallas, and San Antonio, Texas. Working predominantly on residential homes, Jones' architectural style is noted for his mid-century modern focus. The collection contains architectural drawings that span the length of his career.

Other Finding Aids

An electronic index is available as an access tool to assist patrons who wish to locate Jones' drawings. Click to view and download a Excel spreadsheet version of the drawings inventory.

Acquisition Information

Donation.

References to works by or about John Wesley Jones

-- compiled by Irene Lule

Please see archival staff for more information.

Robinson, Gaile, The legacy of architect John Wesley Jones' homes, Star-Telegram, April 2, 2014.
Jones, John Wesley, Membership Files, The American Institute of Architects Archives, The AIA Historical Directory of American Architects, s.v. Brown, Arthur Thomas, (ahd1022634), https://aiahistoricaldirectory.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/AHDAA/pages/36769205/ahd1005300 (accessed February 17, 2017).
"John Wesley Jones Chronology" compiled by G. Quentin McGown, May 2016