The Pentagon, the sprawling headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, stands as the most prominent project in the architectural career of George Edwin Bergstrom. Between July 17 and July 22, 1941, Bergstrom and his colleague David J. Witmer finalized the basic design for this massive structure during a period of intense wartime construction pressure.
Early Education and Career
Born in 1876 in Neenah, Wisconsin, Bergstrom attended Phillips Academy from 1892 to 1896 before continuing his studies at Yale University. He furthered his technical training at the Sheffield Scientific School between 1896 and 1897, eventually earning a degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Department of Architecture in 1899. By 1901, he had established a base in Los Angeles.
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Bergstrom entered a significant professional phase in 1905, partnering with John Parkinson. The firm of Parkinson & Bergstrom shaped much of the commercial landscape of downtown Los Angeles for a decade, producing structures such as the Alexandria Hotel and the Los Angeles Athletic Club. Their reach extended to Salt Lake City, where they completed the Kearns Building in 1911 and the Hotel Utah between 1909 and 1911.
Independent Practice and Institutional Design
After moving into private practice in 1915, Bergstrom managed diverse commissions across the region. His portfolio included educational facilities like John C. Fremont High School and Redlands High School, as well as the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, designed in collaboration with Cyril Bennett and Fitch Haskell. He maintained an active role in civic life, chairing the advisory board for the University of Southern California's School of Architecture and serving as president of the Allied Architect's Association of Los Angeles.
Professional Service and Final Years
Bergstrom reached the national stage of his profession by serving as the president of the American Institute of Architects from 1939 to 1941. Despite his recognition as a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects in 1923, his later career was marked by his resignation from the Pentagon project in 1942 following allegations of improper conduct. He died in 1955 in Orange and was interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
Fast facts
- Born: 1876, Neenah
- Died: 1955, Orange
- Education: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1899)
- Professional Membership: Theta Chi
- AIA Recognition: Fellow (1923)
- Pentagon Architect: 1941-1943
- AIA Presidency: 1939-1941
- Burial Site: Forest Lawn Memorial Park
Questions readers ask
Which major projects did Bergstrom complete in Los Angeles?
His notable works include the Alexandria Hotel, the Los Angeles Athletic Club, and various commercial buildings in the downtown area.
What caused Bergstrom's departure from the Pentagon project?
He resigned in April 1942 after facing unrelated charges of improper conduct during his tenure as president of the American Institute of Architects.
Achievements
- Notable work: The Pentagon
- Fellow of the American Institute of Architects
- Trained at Yale University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology Department of Architecture
