Halstead Best

• Born: 18 June 1890
• Died: 5 May 1966 at Blackpool
• Married: 1913 Annie Doyle

Halstead Best was born on 18 June 1890 at Rochdale, the son of John Best and Mary Whitehead. Nothing is yet known of his education and training, no record having been found for him in the 1911 census. During the First World War he served in the Royal Engineers, rising to the rank of Major and from 1919 to 1921 was the Chief Lecturer, Architecture and Building, at the Ministry of Pensions Training Centre.

He commenced Independent practice in Blackpool in 1921 with a commission for the Motor Coach Station, Marshall Street, (later Princess Street), Blackpool, and went on to become one of the most prolific of the local architects in the inter-war period. In addition, he was appointed professional valuer for Blackpool Corporation in the late 1920s. Such was his reputation that he became valuer for over 40 authorities in Lancashire, Cheshire and Yorkshire.  He was the founder President of Blackpool and Fylde Architectural Society and a founder member of South Shore Lodge of Masons in 1942

In 1913 Halstead Best married Annie Doyle at Dublin and they had two daughters.

Halstead Best died on 5 May 1966 at the Victoria Hospital, Blackpool, at the age of 75, his estate being valued at £77,970.

Address
1921: Halstead Best FISE 1 South King Street, Blackpool
1922-1924: Halstead Best 87a Church Street Blackpool Telephone 597 (BT)
1925-1928: Halstead Best FRIBA FSI  8 Clifton Street, Blackpool (BT)
1926-1965: Leeds Chambers, 20 Clifton Street, Blackpool (Who’s Who in Architecture 1926)
1970: Halstead Best Burnside and Goodwright. 20 Clifton Street, Blackpool (BT)
1978-1982: Halstead Best, Burnside & Partners 304 Talbot Road, Blackpool.FY1 3QS

Residence
1919: Norwood House 37 Warbeck Road Blackpool (Army WW1 Medal Rolls)
1924: 46 Reid’s Avenue, Blackpool
1929: 134 Read’s Avenue Blackpool
1930-1946: 23 Park Drive Blackpool (BT)
1947-1965: 23 North Park Drive Blackpool (BT)

References
Who's Who in Architecture 1926