John M. Hickman

John M. Hickman (May 28, 1925 - April 23, 1964)[1] was an architect in Wichita, Kansas. His work includes the Century II Performing Arts and Convention Center, Wichita State University’s Ablah Library, and the Vickers Petroleum Service Station in Haysville, Kansas which was the first gas station to feature a futuristic "batwing" design.[2] The gas station was added to the Kansas Register of Historic Places in August 2019 and the National Register of Historic Places in October 2019.[3]

Personal life

Born in Amarillo, Texas, Hickman moved with his family to Wichita. He served in the Army Air Corps. He worked as an illustrator for various aviation companies before becoming an architect.[4] Hickman was an apprentice to Frank Lloyd Wright at the University of Illinois.[5] His architectural partner was Roy K. Varenhorst. Hickman died by suicide/carbon monoxide poisoning on April 23, 1964, while working on Wichita's Century II project.[6]

He was married and had four daughters.[1]

Legacy

Wichita State University has a collection of his papers.[4]

Work

References
  1. "Subject Notes: JOHN M. HICKMAN, ARCHITECTS ASSOCIATED" (PDF). Wichita State University Libraries, Department of Special Collections.
  2. "World's First Batwing Gas Station, Haysville, Kansas". RoadsideAmerica.com. Retrieved 2020-04-23.
  3. Tidd, Jason (October 11, 2019). "Haysville gas station, designed by C-II architect, added to national historic register". Wichita Eagle.
  4. "Roy K. Varenhorst Collection of John M. Hickman and Roy K. Varenhorst Papers". specialcollections.wichita.edu.
  5. "Haysville's Vickers Petroleum service station added to historic register". August 12, 2019.
  6. Tanner, Beccy (May 7, 2016). "Wichita's other Frank Lloyd Wright building". Wichita Eagle.
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