User:JPRiley/Harpster

Harpster & Bliss
Harpster & Bliss was an American architectural firm, active in Akron, Ohio from 1907 until 1925. It was the partnership of architects Milton E. Harpster (1871-1949) and J. Frederick Bliss (1874-1925).

Biography and history
Milton E. Harpster was born in 1871 in Findlay, Ohio and was educated at Findlay College and Cornell University, graduating from the latter in 1897. He worked for architects in Findlay and Cincinnati before moving to Akron in 1904, where he opened his own office.

J. Frederick Bliss was born in 1874 in Baden, Germany. He immigrated to the United States with his family in 1889, where they settled in Akron. He worked for architect Frank O. Weary until 1903, when he formed a partnership with Edward H. Bunts, known as Bunts & Bliss. When Bunts died in 1907 Harpster and Bliss merged their practices to form the firm of Harpster & Bliss. Bliss died in 1925, and Harpster formed a new partnership, Harpster & Billman, with Frank W. Billman. This was dissolved in 1936 and Harpster practiced independently until his own death in 1949.

Legacy
Harpster & Bliss were the most prominent architects in Akron during their partnership. Their best-known work is the Anna–Dean Farm, a model farm begun in 1909 for O. C. Barber. Though most of the buildings including the mansion have been demolished, five buildings on the property have been listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places. Three other buildings in Akron have also been listed, though one has been demolished. Other works contribute to listed historic districts.

Architectural works

 * House for Louis P. Dettling, 134 Oakdale Ave, Akron, Ohio (1907)
 * Christ Church UCC, 301 N Main St, Orrville, Ohio (1908)
 * House for J. Nobil, 82 Oakdale Ave, Akron, Ohio (1908)
 * House for J. V. Swartz, 397 Woodland Ave, Akron, Ohio (1908)
 * Oak Street School, 209 W Oak St, Orrville, Ohio (1908, demolished 2008)
 * "Anna–Dean Farm" for O. C. Barber, 5th St SE, Barberton, Ohio (1909-10, partially extant)
 * House, 163 Oakdale Ave, Akron, Ohio (1910)
 * Nantucket Building, 17-23 S Main St, Akron, Ohio (1910)
 * East Market Street Church of Christ, 864 E Market St, Akron, Ohio (1912, NRHP 1989)
 * House, 393 Woodlawn Ave, Akron, Ohio (1912)
 * House for Frank H. Mason, 615 Lathan Ln, New Franklin, Ohio (1913-14, NRHP 1995, demolished)
 * Bowen School (former), 70 N Broadway St, Akron, Ohio (1916)
 * House, 407 Woodland Ave, Akron, Ohio (1918)
 * Masonic Temple, 103 S High St, Akron, Ohio (1917)
 * House for Byron R. Barder, 1041 W Market St, Akron, Ohio (1919, NRHP 1987)
 * Hazelwood School (former), 127 Hazelwood Ave, Barberton, Ohio (1920)
 * Summit County Courthouse Annex, 209 S High St, Akron, Ohio (1922, NRHP 1974)
 * Lakemore School, 1584 Wilson St, Lakemore, Ohio (1924)
 * Masonic Temple, 107 5th St NW, Barberton, Ohio (1925)


 * Portage Path School, 55 S Portage Path, Akron, Ohio (1907-08, demolished)

Good & Wagner
Good & Wagner was an American architectural firm, active in Akron, Ohio from 1922 to 1945. It was the partnership of architect Albert H. Good (1892-1945) and Edwin D. Wagner (1888-1967).

Biography and history
Albert H. Good was born in Akron in 1892. He attended the Akron public schools and the Carnegie Institute of Technology of Pittsburgh, graduating in 1914. He then worked for Pittsburgh architects until 1917, when he opened an office as an architect in Akron.

Edwin D. Wagner was born in 1888 in New York City. He was educated in ateliers affiliated with the Society of Beaux-Arts Architects and from 1910 to 1916 worked as a drafter for architects Benjamin Wistar Morris, Henry Hornbostel and Ernest Flagg. In 1916 he moved to Akron, where, with Charles W. Frank and G. Evans Mitchell, he formed the Akron firm of Frank, Wagner & Mitchell. Frank and Mitchell had both worked in Hornbostel's office alongside Wagner. In 1920 Mitchell withdrew from the firm, which became Frank & Wagner. In 1922 Wagner dissolved his partnership and joined forces with Good, who had been practicing independently for five years, to form Good & Wagner. The new firm quickly began to win commissions from the local elite, including the clubhouse of the Portage Country Club and several large houses. Other major commissions included the new Akron Municipal Building and the Akron YMCA Building.

In 1933 Good left the partnership to become architectural consultant to the State Park Division of the National Park Service, and moved to Washington, DC. In his absence Wagner continued the firm. In 1944 Good returned to Akron and rejoined the firm, but died the following year. Edwin D. Wagner then formed the firm of Wagner & Luxmore with John R. Luxmore, an employee of the firm since 1926. Wagner died in 1967, and Luxmore retired in 1968.

Legacy
Good & Wagner were the most prominent architects in Akron during the interwar period. At least two buildings designed by Good & Wagner have been listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places, and others contribute to listed historic districts.

Architectural works

 * Akron Municipal Building, 166 S High St, Akron, Ohio (1924)
 * Frank Mason Raymond house, 655 Latham Ln, New Franklin, Ohio (1929, NRHP 1995)
 * Akron YMCA Building, 1 Canal Sq Plz, Akron, Ohio (1930-31, NRHP 1980)
 * United States Post Office, 150 N Chestnut St, Ravenna, Ohio (1933-34)
 * Barberton Municipal Building, 576 W Park Ave, Barberton, Ohio (1954)
 * Paul E. Belcher Apartments North, 400 Locust St, Akron, Ohio (1966-68)


 * Ledges (1934-35)