Harry Barton (architect)

American architect From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Harry Barton (June 17, 1876 – May 9, 1937) was an American architect in practice in Greensboro, North Carolina, from 1912 until his death in 1937.

Born(1876-06-17)June 17, 1876
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
DiedMay 9, 1937(1937-05-09) (aged 60)
Greensboro, North Carolina, United States
OccupationArchitect
Quick facts Born, Died ...
Harry Barton
Born(1876-06-17)June 17, 1876
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
DiedMay 9, 1937(1937-05-09) (aged 60)
Greensboro, North Carolina, United States
OccupationArchitect
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The Guilford County Courthouse (1920) in Greensboro, designed by Barton in the Neoclassical style
The Johnston County Courthouse (1921) in Smithfield, designed by Barton in the Neoclassical style
The former Chancellor's House (1923) of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, designed by Barton in the Colonial Revival style
The Alleghany County Courthouse (1933) in Sparta, designed by Barton in the Greek Revival style

Life and career

Harry Barton was born June 17, 1876, in Philadelphia to Edmund Barton, a contractor and builder, and Emma Barton, née Goodwin. He was educated in the Philadelphia public schools and at the Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades before going on to Temple University and George Washington University. He worked for several architects in Philadelphia and Washington, DC, and spent a decade working as a draftsman and architect in the office of the Supervising Architect. In 1912 he relocated to Greensboro, North Carolina, which he regarded as a "city with a future." After a brief partnership with architect Frank A. Weston he established an independent office. Within a few years Barton was awarded the commission to design the Guilford County Courthouse (1920, NRHP-listed) and in the 1920s emerged as the city's leading architect.[1][2]

As an architect Barton designed courthouses, city halls, public schools, churches and other buildings. He designed the majority of the buildings built on the campus of what is now the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in the 1920s. During the Great Depression, Barton maintained his practice with a focus on public projects, such as the Alleghany County Courthouse (1933, NRHP-listed) in Sparta. By this time Barton's chief local competition was Charles C. Hartmann. As the leading local architect Barton was the collaborator of choice for outside architects working in the area; for Hobart Upjohn he supervised construction of the First Presbyterian Church (1929). Barton practiced architecture until his death in 1937.[1][2]

Typically for an architect of his time, Barton designed his buildings in a wide variety of traditional revival styles, especially the Classical, Georgian and Gothic revivals. Later, he drew on more exotic styles such as the Spanish Colonial and Venetian Gothic revivals or transitional modernist styles such as Art Deco.[1]

Personal life

Barton was married to Rachel S. Phillips; they had three children, all daughters. He was a member of several local and fraternal organizations and the American Institute of Architects (AIA), was an elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Greensboro and sat on the State Board of Architectural Examination and Registration.[2]

Barton died May 9, 1937, in Greensboro at the age of 60.[1]

Legacy

A number of his works are listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).[3][4]

Architectural works

References

External links

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