S. Marius Houkom

S. Marius Houkom was born Sveinung Marius Houkom on April 24, 1891 in Mekinock, North Dakota. Originally a farmer, he eventually earned a college education at North Dakota Agricultural College, now NDSU, and later the University of Michigan for architecture. He became a partner in Braseth and Houkom, an architecture firm, in the early 1920’s until he established his own during World War II. He opened one more partnership firm for five years in the 1950’s and then practiced independently until 1978. Some of his architectural projects in Fargo include the original Island Park Pool, NDSU field house, and many churches. He also designed several houses and other commercial buildings in the area. Houkom served as the president and vice president of the North Dakota State Board of Architecture. After he retired in 1978 he moved to Wisconsin and lived with his daughter until he died on November 3, 1980.

Sources:

1. “S. Marius Houkom Papers, 1922- 1977”. 2009. Finding Aid Institute for Regional Studies & University Archives North Dakota State University Libraries. Fargo, ND. October 24, 2016.