Fred L. Smith (8/11/1862-2/25/1941) Detroit, Michigan (A.I.A.)
Senior member of the firm of Smith, Hinchman & Grylls for more than thirty years. Identified with the design of many important works. He was born in Detroit, son of architect Mortimer L. Smith, and entered his father's office for a period of training, thus perpetuating the family tradition of architectural practice established by his grand-father, Sheldon Smith, who died in 1868. In his career Fred Smith became successively his father's junior partner, member of the firm of Field, Hinchman & Smith, and Smith, Hinchman & Grylls.
During his years of practice, Smith and his associated planned and executed many important commissions, of which the following were in Detroit: Orpheum Theatre, additions to the Hotel Statler, Penobscot Building, Buhl and Pyfe Buildings, Municipal Court, Women's Exchange, and a number of churches, including the Central Methodist, First and Seventh Churches of Christ Scientist, and the Jefferson Avenue Presbyterian. Among the buildings he designed independently were the Boy's Club in Detroit, and the State Normal School, Ypsilanti, Michigan. Mr. Smith was continuously active in practice until his death, resulting from injuries in an automobile accident.