Hay, Alexander

Submitted by Mike Miller

Hay, Alexander, well known architect of New Orleans, was born at Edinburgh, Scotland, April 10, 1857; son of James and Isabella (Hall) Hay, the former of whom was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and the latter also in Scotland. Alexander Hay was educated in the schools of his native city, and after having completed the prescribed course studied for the profession of an architect; went in as apprentice in an office in Edinburg. In his early manhood he came to America and after residence in Philadelphia, New York, Baltimore, Lowell and other places located, at the city of New Orleans, where for the past 21 years he has been engaged in architecture. Mr. Hay has designed some of the city's most substantial and enduring structures, among these being churches of various denominations, commercial and industrial buildings, and warehouses. He has also had much to do with the upbuilding of the residential districts of the city, in all parts of which homes and rental houses designed by him may be seen. Mr. Hay drew the plans for the Carrollton Presbyterian church and also for the St. Charles avenue Baptist church, and more recently has designed many of the handsome modern houses that adorn the rapidly upbuilding suburbs of the city, such as Gentilly Terrace and Lake View. Previous to coming to America Mr. Hay did military service as a member of the Edinburgh Rifle brigade. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, and affiliates with the Masonic fraternity. Sept. 9, 1889, Mr. Hay was married to Miss Jessie Sangster. To them the following children have been born: James Victor, May 24, 1892; Dorothy Isabella, Jan. 8, 1896; Alexander Bruce, March 25, 1899; William Wallace, Oct. 28, 1906.

Source: Louisiana: Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), p. 624. Edited by Alcée Fortier, Lit.D. Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association.