Fiske & Meginnis

Fiske & Meginnis, Architects was an architecture firm started in (1915-1924) by Ferdinand C. Fiske and Harry Meginnis in Lincoln, Nebraska that was responsible for twelve buildings on the National Register of Historic Places list. A significant number of historical buildings in Nebraska, particularly the Lincoln area, were designed by Fiske and/or Meginnis. Together, the two individual architects have forty-eight buildings on the National Register of Historic Places under various partnerships or on their own.

Ferdinand C. Fiske was born in New York and raised in Iowa. He was educated at Cornell University and moved to Lincoln during the building boom of 1887 and practiced there the rest of his life. He was a founding partner of firms including Fiske & Dieman (1898-1912);[1] Fiske & Miller (1912-1924); and Fiske, Meginnis, & Schaumberg (1924-1925).[2]

Harry Meginnis did not receive an education in architecture but learned through the construction business.[3] He worked under Fiske at Fiske & Dieman (1901-1909) in their Lincoln office as a draftsman. He had brief stints at several firms in Indianapolis including DuPont & Hunter (1907-1909); H.L. Bass Co. (1909-1914); and Broakie & Meginnis (1914-1915). In 1915, Meginnis returned to Lincoln to start Fiske & Meginnis (1915-1924), Fiske, Meginnis, & Schaumberg (1924-1925), and Meginnis & Schaumberg (1925-1943).[4]

While they worked under many different styles, Fiske & Meginnis mostly worked within the English Revival realm (Elizabethan, Georgian, and Tudor among others) combined with the Prairie style that Frank Lloyd Wright was concerned with at the time. They were also involved in a significant number of industrial warehouse projects in Lincoln, namely in the Haymarket District.

Selected works

Reese House

Reese House designed by Fiske and Meginnis in 1907

Located within the Mount Emerald and Capitol Additions District, the Reese House was designed by Fiske and Meginnis in 1907.[5] The Reese House was designed with false-timber work and stucco and large overhanging eaves over the porches placing it into the Tudor-Revival/Prairie-Style category that Fiske & Meginnis were known for especially in their residential projects. This residence was designed for Manoah Bostic Reese and his family who was the chief justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court and also the Dean for the College of Law at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Lincoln Municipal Lighting and Waterworks Building

Lincoln Municipal Lighting and Waterworks Plant in 1921

Though it currently stands as an apartment building, Fiske and Meginnis’ A Street landmark was originally built as the Lincoln Municipal Lighting and Waterworks Plant.[6] Much like many of their other public works together, Fiske and Meginnis designed a building easily classified as neoclassical revival. Three, large, and light blue smoke stacks protrude through the flat roof, while the large structure and exterior facade of the building consists of a slightly darker red brick, trimmed with limestone and buff bricks on the cornices. The focal east and north facades are punctured with what appears to be two stories of large glass windows with round heads. But behind this deceptive façade lies a factory-like interior, renovated into apartments. The large first floor and first floor windows leave room for an attic floor above.

Antelope Grocery

Antelope Grocery designed by Fiske and Meginnis in 1922

Built in 1922, Antelope grocery was constructed as a mixed use (commercial and apartment) building.[7] The two-story brick and stucco structure makes use of architectural elements common to period houses. The store includes a visual usage of Tudor revival-styled elements within the construction and has undergone multiple renovations while retaining a high degree of architectural integrity. This includes the current existence of its original metal framed store-front windows. The lower level of the building remains business, while the upper level is mainly residential apartments. As far as the exterior is concerned, stucco and half-timber form the cladding which traces up to a truncated steeply pitched roof capped with a flat decking. The main modifications to the building's exterior include re roofing and addition of protective glazing over the transoms.

Complete works

Fiske & Meginnis practiced many styles of architecture, which lead to a wide variety of commissions. The firm designed residences, public works buildings, libraries, schools for all levels of education, and warehouses.

Building Address Architectural
Classification
Partners Year Historic
**Agriculture Hall[8]East campusFiske and Dieman1904NO
Antelope Grocery[7]2406 J StreetTudor RevivalFiske and Meginnis1922YES
Auld Public Library[9]537 N. Webster, Red Cloud, NEClassical RevivalFiske and Meginnis1917YES
*Carter Transfer Warehouse[10]311 N. 8thWarehouseFiske and Meginnis1916YES
***Charles Stuart House[5]1830 E StreetWestern StickFiske1910YES
Clinton Elementary School[2]1520 N. 29th StreetElizabethan RevivalFiske, Meginnis and Schaumberg1925NO
**College Activities Building[3]East CampusMeginnis and Schaumberg1926NO
Edgar Burnett House[2] 3526 Holdrege Street
Elliot Elementary School[2] 225 S. 25th StreetFiske and Meginnis1922NO
Fairbury Jr/Sr High School[11]Fairbury, NEGeorgian Revival/ ModernisticFiske and Meginnis1923YES
Federal Trust Building[12]134 S. 13th StreetGothic RevivalMeginnis and Schaumberg1927YES
**Food and Nutrition Building[3]East CampusMeginnis and Schaumberg1941NO
Frank Spaulding House[13]2221 Sheridan BoulevardMissionFiske1909YES
George and Hazel Abel House[13]2335 Sheridan Boulevard
George Fawell House[13]2401 Ryons StreetPeriod RevivalFiske1916YES
Gillen House[14]2245 A Street19th and Early 20th Century RevivalFiske and Meginnis1903YES
*Grainger Brothers Complex[10]733-737 P StreetWarehouseFiske and Dieman1906YES
*Grainger Brothers Grocery Warehouse[10]105 N. 8th StreetWarehouseFiske and Meginnis1912YES
Hartley Elementary School[2] 730 N. 33rd StreetFiske and Meginnis1920NO
Hayward School Addition[15]1215 N. 9th StreetGeorgian RevivalFiske, Meginnis, and Schaumberg1925YES
***H.E. Sidles House[5]2110 A StreetPrairie School HouseFiske1913YES
*Home Economics Building[8]East CampusFiske and Dieman1905NO
***J.R. Moyer House[5]1140 S. 20th StreetColonial RevivalFiske and Meginnis1916YES
*Lincoln Drug Company Building[10]801 P StreetwarehouseFiske1905YES
*Lincoln Fixture and Supply Co. Building[10]826 P StreetwarehouseFiske and Meginnis1922YES
Loup City Township Carnegie Library[16]625 N Street, Loup City, NENeoclassical RevivalFiske and Meginnis1917YES
**Love Memorial Co-op Hall[5]East CampusMeginnis and Schaumberg1941NO
***Mayor Don Lover House[5]1953 B StreetTudor RevivalFiske and Meginnis1916YES
***Meeker Anderson House[5]1950 C StreetTudor Revival/ Prairie styleFiske1916YES
**Mueller Tower[3]City CampusMeginnis and Schaumberg1949NO
Municipal Lighting and Waterworks Plant[6]2901 A StreetNeoclassical RevivalFiske and Meginnis1921YES
***N.C. Rogers House[5]2145 B StreetJacobethan RevivalFiske and Miller1914YES
***Old Delta Upsilon House[5]1701 E StreetEclectic RevivalMeginnis and Schaumberg1931YES
Prescott Elementary School[2] 2024 S. 20th StreetElizabethan RevivalFiske and Meginnis1920NO
*** The Reese House[5]1990 C StreetTudor Revival/ PrairieFiske and Meginnis1907YES
*** Senator Elmer J. Burkett House[5]1944 B StreetPrairieFiske and Miller1914YES
*Stacy Brothers Fruit Co.[10]800 P StreetwarehouseFiske1912YES
*** The Stuart Aunties House[5]1935 D StreetTudor Revival/ PrairieFiske1911YES
***W.E Chapin House[5]1979 D StreetTudor Revival/ PrairieFiske and Miller1913YES
***Whitney-Stephenson-Merritt House[5]1965 B StreetSecond Italian Renaissance RevivalFiske1916YES
Whittier Junior High School[2]2200 Vine StreetNeoclassical RevivalFiske and Meginnis1923NO
* buildings in Historic Haymarket District
** buildings on the University of Nebraska Lincoln’s campus
*** houses in Mount Emerald Historic District

References

  1. University of Nebraska-Lincoln. “Fiske & Dieman.” Historic Buildings. UNL Libraries, 2005. Accessed September 15, 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Zimmer, Ed. “The Buildings of F. C. Fiske: An Architectural Tour of Lincoln.” Lincoln Today. Lincoln Today Magazine, December 31, 2014. Accessed October 7, 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 4 University of Nebraska-Lincoln. “Meginnis & Schaumberg.” Historic Buildings. UNL Libraries, 2005. Accessed September 15, 2015.
  4. Minder, Fred, J. “Who’s Who in Nebraska.” NEGenWeb Project Resource Center. Nebraska Press Association, 1940. Accessed October 8, 2015
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Chatfield, Penelope & Kidd, Daniel. “National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form - Mount Emerald & Capitol Additions Historic Residential District.” Nebraska State Historical Society. National Park Service, May 6, 1980. Accessed September 15, 2015.
  6. 1 2 Zimmer, Edward F. “National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form - Municipal Lighting and Waterworks Plant.” Nebraska State Historical Society. National Park Service, June 26, 1986. Accessed October 2, 2015.
  7. 1 2 Zimmer, Edward F. “National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form - Antelope Grocery.” Nebraska State Historical Society. National Park Service, December 24, 1987. Accessed October 4, 2015.
  8. 1 2 University of Nebraska-Lincoln. “Fiske & Dieman.” Historic Buildings. UNL Libraries, 2005. Accessed September 15, 2015.
  9. Young, Theresa “National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form - Auld Public Library.” Nebraska State Historical Society. National Park Service, April, 1993. Accessed October 4, 2015.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Zimmer, Ed “National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form - Lincoln Haymarket.” Nebraska State Historical Society. National Park Service, June 18, 2014. Accessed October 4, 2015.
  11. Ahlgren, Carol “National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form - Fairburv Jr/Sr High School & Gymnasium-Auditorium.” Nebraska State Historical Society. National Park Service, August, 1998. Accessed April 15, 1985.
  12. Beltzer, Christopher “National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form - Federal Trust Building.” Nebraska State Historical Society. National Park Service, December 20, 2001. Accessed October 4th, 2015.
  13. 1 2 3 Zimmer, Ed “National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form - Boulevards Historic District.” Nebraska State Historical Society. National Park Service, September 19, 2008 . Accessed October 4th, 2015.
  14. McKillip, Monte and Zimmer, Ed “National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form - Gillen House.” Nebraska State Historical Society. National Park Service, July 18, 1997. Accessed April 15, 1985.
  15. Zimmer, Ed “National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form - Hayward School.” Nebraska State Historical Society. National Park Service, June 18, 2014. Accessed April 15, 1985.
  16. Dolberg, Jill “National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form - Loup City Township Carnegie Library.” Nebraska State Historical Society. National Park Service, June 7, 2007. Accessed April 15, 1985.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Wednesday, March 09, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.