Charles T. Rathbun
Charles Theodore Rathbun | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 2, 1828 |
| Died | July 22, 1908 Pittsfield, Massachusetts |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Architect |
| Practice | C. T. Rathbun; Rathbun & Harding |
Charles T. Rathbun was an American architect who practiced in Pittsfield, Massachusetts during the second half of the nineteenth century.
Life and career[edit]
Rathbun was born in Pittsfield in 1828.[1] His early life is unknown, but it is probable that he first trained as a carpenter. In the 1850s he went to New York, where he worked for ecclesiastical architect John W. Priest.[2] Priest is known to have worked in the Pittsfield area, possibly explaining the connection.[3] He had returned to Pittsfield by January 1858,[4] a year before Priest's death. At that time he established himself as an architect, practicing alone. He worked as such until 1894, when he established a partnership with George C. Harding, Rathbun & Harding. The two remained together until 1899, when Rathbun retired. At this time, he was noted as probably being the oldest architect in Berkshire County.[5] Harding practiced alone until 1901, when he established the notable local firm of Harding & Seaver.[6]
On February 14, 1848, Rathbun married Mary Sharp in Pittsfield. He died there on July 22, 1908.[1]
Legacy[edit]
As least two buildings designed by Rathbun have been individually placed on the National Register of Historic Places, and several others contribute to listed historic districts.
Architectural works[edit]
| Year | Building | Address | City | State | Notes | Image | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1865 | First Congregational Church | 906 Main St | Williamstown | Massachusetts | Completely rebuilt in 1913. | [7] | |
| 1868 | Farm complex | Massachusetts Agricultural College | Amherst | Massachusetts | Demolished. | [8] | |
| 1870 | Chapel, First Church | 27 East St | Pittsfield | Massachusetts |  |
[9] | |
| 1870 | Citizens Hall | 13 Willard Hill Rd | Interlaken | Massachusetts |  |
[10] | |
| 1872 | First M. E. Church | 55 Fenn St | Pittsfield | Massachusetts | [11] | ||
| 1873 | Lee Memorial Hall | 32 Main St | Lee | Massachusetts |  |
[12] | |
| 1874 | First Baptist Church | 64 North St | Pittsfield | Massachusetts | A remodeling. Demolished in the 1920s. | [13] | |
| 1879 | Oman Block | 52 Main St | Lee | Massachusetts | [14] | ||
| 1881 | Central Block | 75 North St | Pittsfield | Massachusetts | [15] | ||
| 1881 | Congregational Church of West Stockbridge | 45 Main St | West Stockbridge | Massachusetts | |
[16] | |
| 1883 | First Burns Block | 297 North St | Pittsfield | Massachusetts | [17] | ||
| 1884 | Englund Block | 122 North St | Pittsfield | Massachusetts | [18] | ||
| 1887 | Hoosac Street School | 20 Hoosac St | Adams | Massachusetts |  |
[19] | |
| 1890 | Adams High School | Liberty St | Adams | Massachusetts | Demolished. | [20] | |
| 1890 | John E. Parsons Estate (Stonover Farm) | 169 Under Mountain Rd | Lenox | Massachusetts | [21] | ||
| 1890 | Second Burns Block | 297 North St | Pittsfield | Massachusetts | [22] | ||
| 1891 | Buget & Lewis Block | 322 Main St | Great Barrington | Massachusetts | Demolished. | [23] | |
| 1893 | Housatonic Congregational Church | 1089 Main St | Housatonic | Massachusetts |  |
[2] | |
| 1894 | St. Charles R. C. Church | 89 Briggs Ave | Pittsfield | Massachusetts | [24] | ||
| 1895 | Rectory, St. Charles R. C. Church | 89 Briggs Ave | Pittsfield | Massachusetts | [24] | ||
| 1896 | John H. Casey House | 244 Main St | Lee | Massachusetts | [25] |
References[edit]
- ^ a b Leonard, Charles L. "Rathbun". Christian Advocate 5 Nov. 1908: 39. New York.
- ^ a b "GBR.268". mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n.d.
- ^ Owens, Carole. Pittsfield: Gem City in the Gilded Age. Charleston, SC: History Press, 2008.
- ^ Berkshire County Eagle 8 Jan. 1858: 1. Pittsfield.
- ^ Architecture and Building 25 March 1899: 95. New York.
- ^ "News From the Classes: 1889". Technology Review Juny 1921: 445. Cambridge.
- ^ Jones, Moira. "First Congregational Church and Williamstown: 250 Years Together". Greylock Independent Jan. 2016: 3. Williamstown.
- ^ Sixteenth Annual Report of the Secretary of the Massachusetts Board of Agriculture for 1868. Boston: Wright & Potter, 1869.
- ^ "PIT.42". mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n.d.
- ^ "STO.160". mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n.d.
- ^ Smith, J. E. A. The History of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, From the Year 1800 to the Year 1876. Springfield, MA: C. W. Bryan & Co., 1876.
- ^ "LEE.13". mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n.d.
- ^ Hosmer, F. A. History of Berkshire County. Vol. 2. 1876.
- ^ "LEE.10". mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n.d.
- ^ "PIT.126". mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n.d.
- ^ "WSK.55". mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n.d.
- ^ "PIT.447". mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n.d.
- ^ "PIT.45". mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n.d.
- ^ "ADA.1". mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n.d.
- ^ Engineering and Building Record 19 July 1890: 112. New York.
- ^ Sanitary News 24 May 1890: 45. Chicago.
- ^ "PIT.115". mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n.d.
- ^ Engineering Record 9 May 1891: 386. New York.
- ^ a b "Southern Berkshire: Its Early Catholic History and Present Development". Sacred Heart Review 24 Aug. 1895: 20.
- ^ "LEE.42". mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n.d.