Hiawatha T. Estes

Hiawatha T. Estes

Photo courtesy of Brian Estes

Photograph

Oklahoma

Architect

Hiawatha T. Estes, an Oklahoma native of Chickasaw descent, was a superstar in the stock house plan business, and the best known Native American involved in architecture. He moved to California after his Army service during World War II. With wife Jeanne Price they founded the Nationwide House Plan Book Company, later called Hiawatha Estes and Associates, which they operated for more than 30 years. Trained as a civil engineer, Estes was a prolific promoter of ranch style house plans, many of which were built in Southern California where his company was located. He wrote a syndicated newspaper column and publicized his plans in magazines in addition to publishing more than 90 stock plan catalogs. Most were published in multiple editions: 12 editions of Distinctive Homes from 1960-1983; 11 editions of Hallmark Homes; more than 15 versions of Prize Homes; and 20 of Ranch and Modern Homes.