The names Hutsell, Dines & Kraft, Dilbeck and DeWitte are all familiar names in Lakewood. They are the builders who are in large part responsible for Lakewood’s unique architectural look. But there is another name, someone worked with these artisans, who added a significant contribution to this unique look. That name is Henry Cornwell Potter. “Mr. Henry” turned his hobby of making small metal lanterns into a thriving business in 1922. Many homes in Lakewood feature Henry Potter’s lanterns, grills, stair rails, andirons, gates, fences or doors.Â
His business, Potter Art Metal Studios, is thriving today on North Henderson. Richard Potter, Mr. Potter’s grandson, is the force behind the business and the third generation in a family business that has spanned the decades.
Henry Potter was born in Dallas in 1892. When he was 12 years old in 1905, he began hobby making lanterns and, two years later, he studied with the German craftsman Alfred Tetze. Beyond this brief tutelage, Potter was largely self-taught in metal work.
After living in Fort Worth for several years, Mr. Potter and his wife moved back to Dallas in 1922. They lived at 5434 Vickery, which was next door to his parents. At this time, he resumed his metal work hobby in his garage. His small ornate wrought iron lanterns attracted the attention of friends and neighbors. They placed orders for these lanterns, but the business really took off when Mrs. Potter showed one of the lanterns to a buyer at Sanger Brothers Department Store in downtown Dallas. He was impressed and ordered 100. This small business became Potter Art Iron Studios, later Potter Art Metal Studios, and moved in 1924 to the North Henderson location. In addition to running his business, he taught metalwork at the Dallas Art Institute from 1924 to 1928.
The business has always been a family business. Mrs. Potter was promoter and advisor. Henry was principal designer, but as the business grew, an artist was needed to render shop drawings and layouts. Cousin Billy Potter served for 25 years in this capacity. His drawings and illustrations are now housed in the Potter Collection at the Hamon Art Center at SMU. Mr. Henry’s father and brother worked there during the World War II years when it was a war plant, making aluminum parts for military aircraft. Mr. Henry’s son, Richard Joseph Potter joined the business after returning from the war.
Mr. Henry’s daughter, Eva Jane Potter Morgan joined the business in the design department after graduating from SMU. Mrs. Morgan has donated the collection of renderings and illustrations to the Hamon Arts Library, the Jerry Bywaters Special Collections Wing at SMU to preserve and catalog it.
This collection is a great addition to the cultural history of our area.
