Horatio Nelson White
Horatio Nelson White | |
---|---|
![]() Looking south on Salina Street, Syracuse, New York; from a c. 1905 postcard. | |
Born | February 8, 1814 |
Died | July 29, 1892 |
Occupation | Architect |
Buildings | Hall of Languages, Syracuse University, Gridley Building, Grace Episcopal Church |
Horatio Nelson White (February 8, 1814 – July 29, 1892)[1] was an American architect based out of Syracuse, New York, and became one of New York State's most prominent architects from about 1865 to 1880.[2] White designed many homes, armories, churches, and public buildings throughout Syracuse in Central New York, including the Hall of Languages at Syracuse University, the Oswego County Court House, Syracuse High School, the Weiting Block in Syracuse, Oswego's City Hall, and more.[3]
Early life
White was born in
Career
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3c/SOUTH_FRONT_AND_WEST_FLANK_-_Old_Onondaga_County_Courthouse%2C_Clinton_Square%2C_Syracuse%2C_Onondaga_County%2C_NY_HABS_NY%2C34-SYRA%2C13-1.tif/lossy-page1-220px-SOUTH_FRONT_AND_WEST_FLANK_-_Old_Onondaga_County_Courthouse%2C_Clinton_Square%2C_Syracuse%2C_Onondaga_County%2C_NY_HABS_NY%2C34-SYRA%2C13-1.tif.jpg)
In 1851, White returned to his wife and daughter in Syracuse, paid off his creditors and established what became a highly successful architectural practice. In 1856, White was given the prestigious opportunity of designing the
In 1867, White designed the original Onondaga Savings Bank (now the Gridley Building).[5] White adapted this style to the Hall of Languages, the first building constructed on the campus of Syracuse University. White was engaged to design New York State armories in Syracuse, Dunkirk and Ballston Spa. He also designed Plymouth Congregational Church in Syracuse. White prepared designs for over 100 churches.[3][5]
While White designed many houses, his papers have been lost, therefore, the identity and attribution of most of them has been obscured. Accordingly, he is remembered mostly for his more monumental work. White's reputation remains to this day as one of the most distinguished architects to have been associated with Syracuse. White died in his home in 1892. His obituary referred to him as simply "the Venerable Architect".[3]
Notable buildings
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ec/Hall_of_Languages_at_Syracuse_University%2C_as_seen_from_Newhouse_Steps.jpg/220px-Hall_of_Languages_at_Syracuse_University%2C_as_seen_from_Newhouse_Steps.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a6/Chemung_County_Courthouse.jpg/220px-Chemung_County_Courthouse.jpg)
Extant buildings which he designed and which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places include:
- Syracuse
- Oswego County Courthouse
- Chemung County Courthouse Complex, and the Park Church, both in Elmira, NY
- Jefferson County Courthouse Complex
- Oswego City Hall
- Webster Wagner House, 1876
- Vernon Center Presbyterian Church, 1885
- Remington Stables (Now, Ilion Little Theatre, Ilion N.Y.
See also
References
- ^ "Horatio Nelson White (1814-1892) - Find A Grave..." www.findagrave.com. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
- ^ Andrews, Wayne (November 6, 1966). "Paperbacks: Architecture". The New York Times. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e The man who changed the face of Syracuse : Horatio Nelson White by Elinore Taylor Horning. Mexico, NY: E.T. Horning, c1988. Published in conjunction with an exhibit on his works at the Onondaga Historical Museum.
- ^ Syracuse University Archives. Faculty Papers: Archimedes Russell. Archived July 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ ISBN 0815602731. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)