Joachim Jungwirth (1860-1940) was born in Austria and emigrated with his parents around 1882, settling first in Wisconsin, then in Grand Rapids where he worked as a woodcarver in the furniture industry, before coming to Detroit. Primarily a woodcarver, his work was often subcontracted with firms like Vinton Company and Wm. Wright Company. His work ranged from fireplace mantels and surrounds to pilasters, mahogany moldings and panels, lecterns, pulpits, and furniture. He joined Richard Reuther in 1882; was part of The Wilton-Reuther Company which was established in 1899; entered into partnership with Henry A. Siebert as Jungwirth & Siebert (1903-1910); and finally established J. Jungwirth & Company. He is buried in Mount Elliott Cemetery.
J, Jungwirth & Company Invoice, Zanger Building, 1917
Joachim Jungwirth
Notable commissions:
George L’Hommedieu Residence (1884), George D. Mason, architect
James Edmund Scripps Residence, Mason & Rice, architects
Garland Stove at Belle Isle (originally built for the Chicago World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893), Michigan Stove Company
Hurlbut Memorial Gate (1893), Brede & Mueller, architects
Library Addition to James E. Scripps Residence (1898), Albert Kahn, architect
Belle Isle Aquarium (1901), Albert Kahn, architect
Temple Beth El (1902), George D. Mason, architect
Lobby for the Elk’s Temple (1903), Van Leyen & Schilling, architects
Cadillac Hotel (Built in 1888; work done 1904-1906), John Scott, architect
Mantelpiece and door for Albert Kahn Residence (1906), Albert Kahn, architect
St. Paul’s Cathedral (1912-1916), Cram, Goodhue & Ferguson, architects
Interior and exterior woodcarving, Central Savings Bank (1915), Louis Kamper, architect
Woodcarving and ornamental plaster ceiling, Deluxe Theatre (1916), B.C. Wetzel, architect
Ornamental Plaster Ceiling, Brewster Street Branch Library (1916), Mildner & Risen
Woodcarving, Zanger Building (1917), John Scott, architect
Detroit News Building (1918), Albert Kahn, architect
The Joachim Jungwirth Papers are housed in the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library.
Leslie S. Edwards, author