Born and raised in Bird Island, Minnesota, Carver Lowell Baker, came to the Pacific Northwest for his formal architectural training. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from the University of Washington in 1947, having transferred from the University of Minnesota.

Baker’s design talents were quickly recognized and upon graduation he was hired by the University of Washington as a temporary instructor. During school and upon graduation, he worked intermittently for architect John I Mattson (1946-1950), and for the firm of Young, Richardson, Carleton & Detlie (1947-1950).

In 1950 Baker began a three-year stint with the Washington State Parks & Recreation Commission. While there he designed a variety of park-related buildings including the ranger residence at Peace Arch State Park (1951), the Moran State Park Boat Float (1952), and a caretaker’s residence in Yakima (1950). Baker moved to Redondo Beach, California, in 1953 where he worked for the Palos Verdes Water Company and the Great Lakes Carbon Corporation, designing and implementing a master development plan.

Before leaving for California, Baker was employed for a short time by the Seattle Parks Department as Supervising Engineer/Architect (February to July 1953). While there he designed the Isolation and Hospital Building at the Woodland Park Zoo, a comfort stations for the Lower Woodland Picnic Area, and Carkeek Park.

Baker died in Amarillo, Texas, on May 30, 1985.

– Michael C Houser