Fredric W. Collins (1915-2004) was a prominent architect in Lake and Porter Counties, operating his firm Fred Collins Architect from the 1940s through the 1990s. Born in Nova Scotia, he moved to the United States. Fred obtained his degree in architecture from the University of Illinois. Fred settled in Gary, then in Ogden Dunes, with his wife, Kathryn Monahan, and their three sons, Rick, John, and Bob.
Fred began designing homes for Ogden Dunes’ residents in the 1940s. His style was influenced by and complementing the dunes and the woods, the rooflines, the use of earth tones in wood and brick, and maximizing the light and the views of Lake Michigan and the woods. In the 1940s, Fred served as the city architect for Gary, contributing to the City’s architectural development during a period of great growth. Fred Collins designed homes for Ogden Dunes neighbors, George Vermef at 15 East Hill Road, and Theodore Krebs at 139 Shore Drive
The homes were completed between 1945 and 1947. He designed the Lloyd Maxwell home at 1 Skyline Drive, the Russell Manley home at 25 Skyline Drive, and the George Svihla home at 49 Ogden Road in the 1950s.
In 1952 Fred designed a home at 10 Shore Drive for Elmer Burg and the home was built by A.L. Cash.
In 1955, he built a home at 69 Diana Road for L. R. Berner. Fred built an impressive home situated in the dunes and woods for the F.P. Johnson family at 39 Diana Road. Fred’s home at 152 Shore Drive reflects his style in architecture. His architectural style when designing homes with lake views are sleek one-story homes with large windows to maximize the views of the lake.
He also designed his neighbors’ homes at 150 Shore Drive, 151 Shore Drive, and 154 Shore Drive, which were built between 1958 and 1960.
During the 1960s, Fred designed three beautiful homes for dunes families – for the Kunas’ at 10 Indian Camp Trail, for the Cunninghams’ home renovation at 109 Diana Road, and for the Scully’s at 72 Ski Hill Place.
During the 1970s, Fred designed additions to Tony Wrann’s home at 115 Ogden Road in 1971, to Al Mohr’s home at 6 Sunset Trail fn 1972, and to Louis Antilla’s home at 69 Ogden Road in 1975. In the 1980 and 1990’s Fred designed major renovations and/or additions to the Dennis Browns home at 29 Sunset Trail in 1982, the William Bailey’s home at 33 Diana in 1982 and 1991, the Nick Stiglich/Pat Schuler home at 9 Indian Camp in 1991, the William Miigian’s home at 135 Shore Drive in 1991,the Lehman n’s home at 110 Hillcrest in 1992, the Riberdy home at 40 Diana Road in 1993, the Van Santen home at 2 Turret Road in 1994, the Griem home at 44 Sunset Trail in 1995, the Paloyan home at 99 Shore Drive in 1995, and the Toomey home at 77 Shore Drive in 1996.
In addition to residential properties, Fred Collins’ architectural firm designed many of the buildings and renovations of the schools, churches, post-office buildings, banks, grocery stores, funeral homes, nursing homes, and other businesses in Lake and Porter County. His clients included Crisman Elementary School, Garyton Elementary in Portage, Portage Middle School, Portage High School, McCool Methodist Church in Portage, Lutheran Church in Portage, Burns Funeral Home, Gary National Bank, First Federal Savings and Loan, American Savings & Trust, Wiseway in Merriville, NIPSCO, Martin Oil, Riberdy Drugs Warehouse, U.S.Steel in Gary, and the Maple Woods Nursing Home, In 1973 when the Ogden Dunes Commmunity Church wished to add a southern addition to the church, Fred was commissioned to draw the plans.
Fred Collins designed more than thirty homes or home renovations in Ogden Dunes. Fred’s neighbors appreciate his talent and vision in designing homes and buildings for their community. People will continue to enjoy his beautifully designed homes nestled in the dunes of Lake Michigan for many years to come.
