Charles T. Rathbun

Charles T. Rathbun was an American architect who practiced in Pittsfield, Massachusetts during the second half of the nineteenth century.

Charles Theodore Rathbun
BornFebruary 2, 1828
Pittsfield, Massachusetts
DiedJuly 22, 1908
Pittsfield, Massachusetts
NationalityUnited States
OccupationArchitect
PracticeC. T. Rathbun; Rathbun & Harding
Congregational Church, West Stockbridge, 1881.

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
YearBuildingAddressCityStateNotesImageReference
1865First Congregational Church906 Main StWilliamstownMassachusettsCompletely rebuilt in 1913.[7]
1868Farm complexMassachusetts Agricultural CollegeAmherstMassachusettsDemolished.[8]
1870Chapel, First Church27 East StPittsfieldMassachusetts[9]
1870Citizens Hall13 Willard Hill RdInterlakenMassachusetts[10]
1872First M. E. Church55 Fenn StPittsfieldMassachusetts[11]
1873Lee Memorial Hall32 Main StLeeMassachusetts[12]
1874First Baptist Church64 North StPittsfieldMassachusettsA remodeling. Demolished in the 1920s.[13]
1879Oman Block52 Main StLeeMassachusetts[14]
1881Central Block75 North StPittsfieldMassachusetts[15]
1881Congregational Church of West Stockbridge45 Main StWest StockbridgeMassachusetts[16]
1883First Burns Block297 North StPittsfieldMassachusetts[17]
1884Englund Block122 North StPittsfieldMassachusetts[18]
1887Hoosac Street School20 Hoosac StAdamsMassachusetts[19]
1890Adams High SchoolLiberty StAdamsMassachusettsDemolished.[20]
1890John E. Parsons Estate (Stonover Farm)169 Under Mountain RdLenoxMassachusetts[21]
1890Second Burns Block297 North StPittsfieldMassachusetts[22]
1891Buget & Lewis Block322 Main StGreat BarringtonMassachusettsDemolished.[23]
1893Housatonic Congregational Church1089 Main StHousatonicMassachusetts[2]
1894St. Charles R. C. Church89 Briggs AvePittsfieldMassachusetts[24]
1895Rectory, St. Charles R. C. Church89 Briggs AvePittsfieldMassachusetts[24]
1896John H. Casey House244 Main StLeeMassachusetts[25]
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References
  1. Leonard, Charles L. "Rathbun". Christian Advocate 5 Nov. 1908: 39. New York.
  2. "GBR.268". mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n.d.
  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. "PIT.42". mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n.d.
  10. "STO.160". mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n.d.
  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. "LEE.13". mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n.d.
  13. Hosmer, F. A. History of Berkshire County. Vol. 2. 1876.
  14. "LEE.10". mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n.d.
  15. "PIT.126". mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n.d.
  16. "WSK.55". mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n.d.
  17. "PIT.447". mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n.d.
  18. "PIT.45". mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n.d.
  19. "ADA.1". mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n.d.
  20. Engineering and Building Record 19 July 1890: 112. New York.
  21. Sanitary News 24 May 1890: 45. Chicago.
  22. "PIT.115". mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n.d.
  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. "LEE.42". mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n.d.
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