1881: Dietrich Moves to New York (the first time!)

The first known publication of a Dietrich design in the
December 1881 Architect, Builder, and Woodworker

In December 1881, E. G. W. Dietrich was 24 years old, and the first known publication of a Dietrich design appeared in the architectural periodical Architect, Builder, and Woodworker.  The description of plate 94 reads "a very fine design for a cabinet in the Japanese style".  The most interesting thing about this drawing is neither the brass elephant head nor snakes that adorn this cherry cabinet; it is Dietrich's address listed as 356 Henry Street, Brooklyn, New York.  

After training with the firm of Drum and Kuhn in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Dietrich ventured out on his own leaving his native Pittsburgh for Brooklyn.  356 Henry Street in today's Cobble Hill neighborhood is a four story brick row house.  In 1881, it operated as a boarding house.  The advertisement below mentions an advantageous location being only a "few minutes walk from Wall and South ferries" to Manhattan.  The Brooklyn Bridge would not open until May 24, 1883.

Advertisement from the December 10, 1881 Brooklyn Daily Eagle

It is not yet known if Dietrich came to New York to work as a draftsman for an established architect or begin his own practice.  In either case, he was successful in publishing several more of his designs in both the Architect, Builder, and Woodworker and the American Architect and Building News.  Despite these advances, by September of 1882 Dietrich had returned to Pittsburgh.

E G. W. Dietrich's design for a suburban residence published in the
January 21, 1882 American Architect and Building News