Charles T. Rathbun
# Charles T. Rathbun

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. 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. Priest is known to have worked in the Pittsfield area, possibly explaining the connection. He had returned to Pittsfield by January 1858, 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. Harding practiced alone until 1901, when he established the notable local firm of Harding & Seaver.

On February 14, 1848, Rathbun married Mary Sharp in Pittsfield. He died there on July 22, 1908.

## 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 |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1865 | First Congregational Church | 906 Main St | Williamstown | Massachusetts | Completely rebuilt in 1913. |
| 1868 | Farm complex | Massachusetts Agricultural College | Amherst | Massachusetts | Demolished. |
| 1870 | Chapel, First Church | 27 East St | Pittsfield | Massachusetts | |
| 1870 | Citizens Hall | 13 Willard Hill Rd | Interlaken | Massachusetts | |
| 1872 | First M. E. Church | 55 Fenn St | Pittsfield | Massachusetts | |
| 1873 | Lee Memorial Hall | 32 Main St | Lee | Massachusetts | |
| 1874 | First Baptist Church | 64 North St | Pittsfield | Massachusetts | A remodeling. Demolished in the 1920s. |
| 1879 | Oman Block | 52 Main St | Lee | Massachusetts | |
| 1881 | Central Block | 75 North St | Pittsfield | Massachusetts | |
| 1881 | Congregational Church of West Stockbridge | 45 Main St | West Stockbridge | Massachusetts | |
| 1883 | First Burns Block | 297 North St | Pittsfield | Massachusetts | |
| 1884 | Englund Block | 122 North St | Pittsfield | Massachusetts | |
| 1887 | Hoosac Street School | 20 Hoosac St | Adams | Massachusetts | |
| 1890 | Adams High School | Liberty St | Adams | Massachusetts | Demolished. |
| 1890 | John E. Parsons Estate (Stonover Farm) | 169 Under Mountain Rd | Lenox | Massachusetts | |
| 1890 | Second Burns Block | 297 North St | Pittsfield | Massachusetts | |
| 1891 | Buget & Lewis Block | 322 Main St | Great Barrington | Massachusetts | Demolished. |
| 1893 | Housatonic Congregational Church | 1089 Main St | Housatonic | Massachusetts | |
| 1894 | St. Charles R. C. Church | 89 Briggs Ave | Pittsfield | Massachusetts | |
| 1895 | Rectory, St. Charles R. C. Church | 89 Briggs Ave | Pittsfield | Massachusetts | |
| 1896 | John H. Casey House | 244 Main St | Lee | Massachusetts | |
