National Register Biography
W.C. Knighton, the architect, was an important architect of the time period. Knighton (1864-1938) was an apprentice of C.S. McNally of Salem until 1893, working on projects such as the Capitol National Bank in Salem.
In March 1893, Knighton established his first office. Deepwood was Knighton's first major private commission. Among other projects completed by Knighton in the early years of his practice included the Soldiers' Home at Roseburg, the Masonic Temple in Corvallis and the Scio School. Other residential designs included the Judge Murphy Residence (Murphy Mansion) and the George and Margaret Waters Residence. The Hamilton House was designed by Knighton, during this early period of Knighton's professional development. The majority of Knighton's earliest designs focused on the Queen Anne style.
In 1896, around the time of completion of the Hamilton House, Knighton moved to Los Angeles. He returned in 1902, to re-establish his practice in Oregon. Among his accomplishments, Knighton was the only individual to ever hold the position of official state architect in the State of Oregon, from 1913-1917. During this period Knighton designed the Supreme Court Building in Salem, Johnson Hall at the University of Oregon, and the State Hospital in Pendleton.
The office of State Architect was abolished for political reasons in 1917. In 1922, Knighton joined practice with L. D. Howell for the remainder of his career. Projects completed during this late period included the North Salem High School, the State Office Building in Salem and the Boys Training School in Woodburn.
Among other accomplishments, Knighton was the first President of the Oregon Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, integral in the establishment of architectural licenses in the state of Oregon and the second architect to be licensed in the state of Oregon.