Matthew Nowicki

Deitrick graduated cum laude from Wake Forest College in 1916. During World War I, Deitrick served as a second lieutenant in the Army.   In 1920 he married Elizabeth Hunter of Raleigh. He took up graduate work in architecture at Columbia University and was employed in the office of Raymond Hood. In 1924, Deitrick moved to Raleigh to work for James Salter. Salter’s practice was failing, however, and Deitrick quit in 1925 to work as construction supervisor for Raleigh public schools.   Later he started his own practice which would become the largest in Raleigh, designing many schools including Broughton High School, Daniels Junior High, and Sherwood-Bates Elementary.  In 1938, Deitrick bought Raleigh's old water tower (below) and renovated the first three floors for his firm. 

In 1952, Deitrick finished up Raleigh's most well known modernist landmark, the J. S. Dorton Arena, after the 1950 accidental death of the original architect, Matthew (Maciej) Nowicki, photo at left.  Also killed were structural engineer Fred Severud of Severud-Elstad-Kruegar and contractor William Muirhead.  Dorton Arena was an instant international landmark.  Deitrick also designed much of Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem and with Milton Small the original modernist Carolina Country Club building.  His focus was not popular with everyone.  Architects Byron Burney, Robert Lyons, and Joe Kovac worked for Deitrick in the mid-1950's but left when he began to specialize in modern architecture. 

In 1959 Deitrick sold his firm to associate Guy Crampton and continued working there as a consultant.  He later deeded the building to AIANC and kept an office until his death in 1974.  One of the AIANC's highest awards is named for him.  AIANC is moving to new headquarters in 2011 and the building will be sold. 

1930 - The Charles and Annie Hazell Residence, 1000 Harvey Street, Raleigh.  A traditional house sold to Louis and Miriam Craig in 1945.  Sold to current owners James and Lucile Aycock McKee in 1955.

1935 - The William Banks Dewar and Narcissa Riddick Dewar Residence, 930 Vance Street, Raleigh. A traditional house sold in 1982 to Marvin Koonce.  Sold in 1995 to Samuel Q. and Jane L. Bass.  Sold in 2006 to current owners Michael and Molly Painter. 

1938 - Deitrick designed this classic house for himself and his wife Elizabeth at 2501 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh.  A traditional house sold in 1958 to current owners Gwynn and Peggy Nowell.  Photos by Nicole Alvarez.

1959 - 1900 McDonald Lane, Raleigh.  Designed by Deitrick as a retirement house. His name was never on the deed because he worked out a deal with pwner, Annie Briggs.  He wanted to build a one-story house for his wife and himself because they were getting older. He owned the house but not the land, and in his will deeded the house back to the woman who owned the land.  She sold it to Thomas Briggs and Margaret Briggs Slaughter in 1964,  Bought by current owner Jane Watson in 2003.  Photos by Nicole Alvarez.

Sources include:  M. Ruth Little's The Development of Modernism in Raleigh,1945-1965, AIANC,
Deitrick Archive at NCSU Special Collections, History of The North Carolina Chapter of the AIA 1913-1998:  An Architectural Heritage by C. David Jackson and Charlotte V. Brown.