Charles T. Rathbun Explained

Charles Theodore Rathbun
Nationality:American
Birth Date:February 2, 1828
Birth Place:Pittsfield, Massachusetts
Death Date:July 22, 1908
Death Place:Pittsfield, Massachusetts
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

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

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

Year Building Address City State Notes Image Reference
1865 First Congregational Church 906 Main St Completely rebuilt in 1913. [7]
1868 Farm complex Demolished. [8]
1870 Chapel, First Church 27 East St [9]
1870 13 Willard Hill Rd [10]
1872 First M. E. Church 55 Fenn St [11]
1873 Lee Memorial Hall 32 Main St [12]
1874 First Baptist Church 64 North St A remodeling. Demolished in the 1920s. [13]
1879 Oman Block 52 Main St [14]
1881 Central Block 75 North St [15]
1881 45 Main St [16]
1883 First Burns Block 297 North St [17]
1884 Englund Block 122 North St [18]
1887 20 Hoosac St [19]
1890 Adams High School Liberty St Demolished. [20]
1890 John E. Parsons Estate (Stonover Farm) 169 Under Mountain Rd [21]
1890 Second Burns Block 297 North St [22]
1891 Buget & Lewis Block 322 Main St Demolished. [23]
1893 1089 Main St
1894 St. Charles R. C. Church 89 Briggs Ave [24]
1895 Rectory, St. Charles R. C. Church 89 Briggs Ave
1896 John H. Casey House 244 Main St [25]

Notes and References

  1. Leonard, Charles L. "Rathbun". Christian Advocate 5 Nov. 1908: 39. New York.
  2. https://mhc-macris.net/details?mhcid=gbr.268 "GBR.268"
  3. Owens, Carole. Pittsfield: Gem City in the Gilded Age. Charleston, SC: History Press, 2008.
  4. Berkshire County Eagle 8 Jan. 1858: 1. Pittsfield.
  5. Architecture and Building 25 March 1899: 95. New York.
  6. "News From the Classes: 1889". Technology Review Juny 1921: 445. Cambridge.
  7. Jones, Moira. "First Congregational Church and Williamstown: 250 Years Together". Greylock Independent Jan. 2016: 3. Williamstown.
  8. Sixteenth Annual Report of the Secretary of the Massachusetts Board of Agriculture for 1868. Boston: Wright & Potter, 1869.
  9. https://mhc-macris.net/details?mhcid=pit.42 "PIT.42"
  10. https://mhc-macris.net/details?mhcid=sto.160 "STO.160"
  11. Smith, J. E. A. The History of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, From the Year 1800 to the Year 1876. Springfield, MA: C. W. Bryan & Co., 1876.
  12. https://mhc-macris.net/details?mhcid=lee.13 "LEE.13"
  13. Hosmer, F. A. History of Berkshire County. Vol. 2. 1876.
  14. https://mhc-macris.net/details?mhcid=lee.10 "LEE.10"
  15. https://mhc-macris.net/details?mhcid=pit.126 "PIT.126"
  16. https://mhc-macris.net/details?mhcid=wsk.55 "WSK.55"
  17. https://mhc-macris.net/details?mhcid=pit.447 "PIT.447"
  18. https://mhc-macris.net/details?mhcid=pit.45 "PIT.45"
  19. https://mhc-macris.net/details?mhcid=ada.1 "ADA.1"
  20. Engineering and Building Record 19 July 1890: 112. New York.
  21. Sanitary News 24 May 1890: 45. Chicago.
  22. https://mhc-macris.net/details?mhcid=pit.115 "PIT.115"
  23. Engineering Record 9 May 1891: 386. New York.
  24. "Southern Berkshire: Its Early Catholic History and Present Development". Sacred Heart Review 24 Aug. 1895: 20.
  25. https://mhc-macris.net/details?mhcid=lee.42 "LEE.42"