Mabel Clair Vandenburg Welch (November 8, 1890 – December 3, 1981) was an American architect. She was the first woman to work as a professional architect in El Paso, Texas.
Mabel Clair Vandenburg was born in Panola County, Mississippi on November 8. 1890.[1] She grew up on her grandfather's plantation until the family moved to Northeast Texas in 1899.[1]
Welch and her husband, who had tuberculosis, came to El Paso for the climate in 1916.[2][3] She learned the construction business from her husband and after his death in July 1927, took over the company.[4][5] By 1939, she was a member of the Society of American Registered Architects.[6] Welch was the first certified woman architect in El Paso.[3] She continued to build new houses until 1952, after which she remodeled older homes.[6]
Welch's designs were based on traditional Spanish colonial architecture and she also advocated for using native plants for landscaping.[5] Welch was committed to beautifying El Paso.[7] Welch designed over 1,000 homes in El Paso by 1950.[8] Some of her most famous homes are located on Rim Road, including the J.W. Peak Mansion, the A. B. Poe House, and the Robert F. Thompson House.[2][9] She also designed buildings in Chihuahua City, Ciudad Juárez, Dallas, Deming, Fabens, Las Cruces, and Marfa.[10][11]
Welch had a stroke in November 1981 and left El Paso to live closer to family.[8] She died in a nursing home in Redondo Beach, California on December 3, 1981.[8]