Rubush & Hunter

Rubush & Hunter was an architectural firm in Indianapolis, Indiana in the United States. Established in 1905 by architects Preston C. Rubush and Edgar O. Hunter, Rubush & Hunter operated until 1939.

Rubush & Hunter
Indianapolis City Hall, Indianapolis, Indiana, 1909.
Practice information
PartnersPreston C. Rubush
Edgar O. Hunter
Founded1905
Dissolved1939
LocationIndianapolis, Indiana

Firm history

Preston C. Rubush and Edgar O. Hunter formed their partnership in 1905.[1] Previously, Rubush had been a member of the firms of Scharn & Rubush and P. C. Rubush & Company. Rubush and Hunter maintained their partnership until 1939, when both retired. In 1940 the firm was taken over by Philip A. Weisenburgh, chief draftsman and designer of the firm.[2] Weisenburgh retired in 1969.[3]

Partners
Preston C. Rubush, 1901.

Preston C. Rubush

Preston C. Rubush was born March 30, 1867, in Oakford, Indiana, to William G. and Marie E. (Wyrick) Rubush. His father was a general contractor. He attended public schools and completed a special course in architecture at the University of Illinois. He initially found employment in the Peoria, Illinois, branch office of architect James F. Alexander, based in Lafayette, Indiana. He worked for Alexander for two years, and then for others until 1893. In that year he came to Indianapolis and formed a partnership, Scharn & Rubush, with John H. Scharn.[4] In 1900, Scharn retired,[5] and Rubush continued the business as P. C. Rubush & Company. In 1905, he formed his partnership with Hunter. They remained together until they retired in 1939.

In 1898, Rubush married Renah J. Wilcox of Nebraska.[4] Rubush died February 4, 1947, at his winter home in Miami Beach, Florida. He was survived by his wife and other family members, but no children.[6]

Edgar O. Hunter

Edgar Otis Hunter was born in 1873 in Versailles, Indiana. He attended public schools in Indianapolis and the University of Pennsylvania. Upon his return to Indianapolis he worked for Vonnegut & Bohn before joining Rubush.[7] He became partner in the firm in 1905, and like Rubush retired in 1939.

In 1899, Hunter married Anna Blanche Lee. He died in Miami Beach, Florida, on November 20, 1949.[7]

Hunter's brother, Frank B. Hunter, was also an architect in Indianapolis.

Philip A. Weisenburgh

Philip Arthur Weisenburgh was born in 1887 in Frankfort, Kentucky.[8] When he joined Rubush & Hunter is unknown, but he was chief draftsman by 1925. He succeeded to the practice when Rubush and Hunter retired in 1939, He himself retired in 1969. He died in Indianapolis November 12, 1972.[3]

His wife was Louise Weisenburgh, with whom he had a daughter.[3] He was a member of the American Institute of Architects from 1942 until his death.[9]

Legacy

Many of the firm's buildings in Indianapolis have been listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places, and others contribute to listed historic districts.

In addition to their work in Indiana, the firm was hired by Indianapolis developers Carl G. Fisher and Joseph Wesley Young Jr. to do extensive work at their Florida resorts, Miami Beach and Hollywood, respectively. Several of their Hollywood buildings survive, and Rubush and Hunter would both own second homes in Miami Beach.

Architectural works
YearBuildingAddressCityStateNotesImageReference
1905Knights of Pythias Castle Hall230 E Ohio StIndianapolisIndianaPresently the Indiana Bar Center.[2]
1906Campus development,
Indiana School for the Deaf		1200 E 42nd StIndianapolisIndianaRubush & Hunter were responsible for the initial seven buildings. As of 2020 only Alumni Hall and some service buildings remain. The campus was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.[10][11]
1906Knights of Pythias Lodge No. 56121 E Ohio StIndianapolisIndianaListed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997 as a contributing property to the Washington Street–Monument Circle Historic District.[10][12]
1907House for William S. Craig3312 N Washington BlvdIndianapolisIndianaListed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990 as a contributing property to the Meridian Park Historic District.[13]
1907Odd Fellows Building1 N Pennsylvania StIndianapolisIndianaListed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997 as a contributing property to the Washington Street–Monument Circle Historic District.[10][12]
1908Masonic Temple525 N Illinois AveIndianapolisIndianaListed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008.[10][14]
1908Kothe, Wells & Bauer Company Building157 E Maryland StIndianapolisIndianaListed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 as a contributing property to the Indianapolis Union Station-Wholesale District.[15]
1908Daniel Stewart Company Building50 S Meridian StIndianapolisIndianaListed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997 as a contributing property to the Washington Street–Monument Circle Historic District.[10][12]
1909The Buckingham3101-3119 N Meridian StIndianapolisIndianaListed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.[10][16]
1909Indianapolis City Hall (former)202 N Alabama StIndianapolisIndianaListed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.[10][17]
1910North factory of the H. Lauter Company35 S Harding StIndianapolisIndianaListed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2015.[18]
1910Sommers Building143-149 W Washington StIndianapolisIndianaDemolished.[2]
1911Hume-Mansur Building23 E Ohio StIndianapolisIndianaDemolished in 1980.[2]
1912University Park Building333 N Pennsylvania StIndianapolisIndianaIn 1929 the building was stripped down to its structure and incorporated into the new Architects and Builders Building. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2019.[19]
1914Fidelity Trust Company Building148 E Market StIndianapolisIndianaIndividually listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, and as a contributing property to the Washington Street–Monument Circle Historic District in 1997.[10][20]
1915Henry P. Coburn Public School No. 66604 E 38th StIndianapolisIndianaListed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.[10][21]
1915Oriental Lodge No. 5002201 Central AveIndianapolisIndianaDesigned in association with Herbert L. Bass & Company and Herbert W. Foltz. The senior principals of all three firms were members of the lodge. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2016. Presently the Prince Hall Masonic Temple.[22]
1916Circle Theatre45 Monument CircleIndianapolisIndianaIndividually listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, and as a contributing property to the Washington Street–Monument Circle Historic District in 1997.[10] Now known as the Hilbert Circle Theatre.[23]
1919House for Clark E. Mallery4160 N Washington BlvdIndianapolisIndianaListed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008 as a contributing property to the Washington Park Historic District.[24]
1920Nebraska Cropsey School No. 221231 S Illinois StIndianapolisIndianaDemolished.[2]
1920Flamingo Hotel1500 Bay RdMiami BeachFloridaNoted hotel architects Price & McClanahan were also hired to prepare a design, but their plans were not used. The hotel was demolished in 1955.[25][8]
1920Manufacturing facilities for the H. C. S. Motor Car Company1402 N Capitol AveIndianapolisIndianaListed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2009.[26]
1921Garage for the Hollywood Land and Water Company2033-2051 Hollywood BlvdHollywoodFloridaRemodeled in 1933 into the Ingram Arcade. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999 as part of the Hollywood Boulevard Historic Business District.[27][8]
1921Hollywood HotelYoung CircleHollywoodFloridaLater known as the Park View Hotel. Demolished.[8]
1921Lincoln HotelW Washington St and Kentucky AveIndianapolisIndianaDemolished during the 1970s.[2]
1922Guaranty Building20 N Meridian StIndianapolisIndianaListed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997 as a contributing property to the Washington Street–Monument Circle Historic District.[10] The building features architectural carving on the facade by Alexander Sangernebo.[12]
1922Masonic Temple (former)120 W 7th StBloomingtonIndianaListed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990 as part of the Courthouse Square Historic District.[28]
1922Addition to the Murat Shrine (former)502 N New Jersey StIndianapolisIndianaListed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992 as a contributing property to the Massachusetts Avenue Commercial District.[29]
1923Stores for the Hollywood Land and Water Company1940-1948 Hollywood BlvdHollywoodFloridaListed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999 as part of the Hollywood Boulevard Historic Business District.[27][30]
1924Blue Triangle Hall725 N Pennsylvania StIndianapolisIndianaListed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.[10][31]
1924Columbia Club121 Monument CircleIndianapolisIndianaIndividually listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, and as a contributing property to the Washington Street–Monument Circle Historic District in 1997.[10] The building features architectural carving on the facade by Alexander Sangernebo.[32]
1924Hollywood State Bank Building2001 Hollywood BlvdHollywoodFloridaListed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999 as part of the Hollywood Boulevard Historic Business District.[27][30]
1924Reserve Loan Life Insurance Company Building429 N Pennsylvania StIndianapolisIndianaListed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.[10][33]
1925Hollywood Beach Hotel101 N Ocean DrHollywoodFloridaHas been stripped of much of its exterior ornament.[8]
1925Hollywood Hills Inn4000 Hollywood BlvdHollywoodFloridaOnly used as a hotel for one season. Later occupied by the Riverside Military Academy. Demolished.[8]
1925House for Joseph W. Young1055 Hollywood BlvdHollywoodFloridaListed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.[34]
1926Illinois Building17 W Market StIndianapolisIndianaListed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997 as a contributing property to the Washington Street–Monument Circle Historic District.[10][12]
1927Indiana Theatre140 W Washington StIndianapolisIndianaIndividually listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, and as a contributing property to the Washington Street–Monument Circle Historic District in 1997.[10] The building features architectural carving on the facade by Alexander Sangernebo.[35]
1927Madam C. J. Walker Building617 Indiana AveIndianapolisIndianaListed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980,[10] and a National Historic Landmark in 1991. Now known as the Madam Walker Legacy Center.[36]
1928House for Scott C. Wadley4750 N Meridian StIndianapolisIndianaSince 1973 the house has been the Indiana Governor's Residence.[37]
1929Architects and Builders Building333 N Pennsylvania StIndianapolisIndianaIncorporated the structure of the firm's 1912-built University Park Building. Upon completion the building housed the offices of Rubush & Hunter as well as architects Leslie F. Ayres, Pierre & Wright, contracting firms and architectural and building organizations, among other tenants. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2019.[19]
1929Circle Tower5 E Market StIndianapolisIndianaListed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997 as a contributing property to the Washington Street–Monument Circle Historic District.[10][12]
1930Indiana Garage145 E Market StIndianapolisIndianaListed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997 as a contributing property to the Washington Street–Monument Circle Historic District.[10][12]
1931Bottling plant for the Coca-Cola Bottling Company858-868 Massachusetts AveIndianapolisIndianaListed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992 as a contributing property to the Massachusetts Avenue Commercial District.[29]
1937H. P. Wasson & Company Building2 N Meridian StIndianapolisIndianaIndividually listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997, and as a contributing property to the Washington Street–Monument Circle Historic District in the same year.[10][38]
1938Remodeling of the Beth-El Zedeck Temple3359 Ruckle StIndianapolisIndianaOriginally designed in 1924 by Vonnegut, Bohn & Mueller. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2019.[39]

References
  1. "In General," Brickbuilder 14, no. 2 (February 1905): 43.
  2. Glory-June Greiff, "Rubush and Hunter," The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis, ed. David J. Bodenhamer and Robert G. Barrows (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1994)
  3. "P. A. Weisenburgh," Indianapolis News, November 13, 1972, 36.
  4. Jacob Piatt Dunn, "Preston C. Rubush," Greater Indianapolis: The History, the industries, the Institutions, and the People of a City of Homes, vol. 2 (Chicago: Lewis Publishing Company, 1910): 903.
  5. "Notice of Dissolution," Indianapolis Sun, November 2, 1900, 7.
  6. "P. C. Rubush, Building Designer, Dies in Miami," Indianapolis Star, February 5, 1947, 32.
  7. "Edgar Otis Hunter, Architect, Dies," Indianapolis Times, November 20, 1949, 4.
  8. Joan Mickelson, Joseph W. Young Jr. and the City Beautiful: A Biography of the Founder of Hollywood, Florida (Jefferson, NC and London: McFarland & Company, 2013)
  9. "Philip Arthur Weisenburgh", aiahistoricaldirectory.atlassian.net, AIA Historical Directory of American Architects, n. d.
  10. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  11. Indiana School for the Deaf NRHP Registration Form (2008)
  12. Washington Street–Monument Circle Historic District NRHP Registration Form (1997)
  13. Meridian Park Historic District NRHP Registration Form (1990)
  14. Indianapolis Masonic Temple NRHP Registration Form (2008)
  15. Indianapolis Union Station-Wholesale District NRHP Registration Form (1982)
  16. The Buckingham NRHP Registration Form (1992)
  17. Old Indianapolis City Hall NRHP Registration Form (1974)
  18. H. Lauter Company Complex NRHP Registration Form (2015)
  19. Architects and Builders Building NRHP Registration Form (2019)
  20. Fidelity Trust Building NRHP Registration Form (1980)
  21. Henry P. Coburn Public School No. 66 NRHP Registration Form (1986)
  22. "Indiana State Historic Architectural and Archaeological Research Database (SHAARD)" (Searchable database). Department of Natural Resources, Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology. Retrieved 2016-08-01. Note: This includes James A. Glass (June 2014). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form: Oriental Lodge No. 500" (PDF). Retrieved 2016-08-01., Site map, and Accompanying photographs
  23. Circle Theater NRHP Registration Form (1980)
  24. Washington Park Historic District NRHP Registration Form (2008)
  25. Manufacturers Record 77, no. 21 (May 20, 1920): 141.
  26. HCS Motor Car Company NRHP Registration Form (2009)
  27. Hollywood Boulevard Historic Business District NRHP Registration Form (1999)
  28. Stone 43, no. 9 (September 1922): 476.
  29. Massachusetts Avenue Commercial District NRHP Registration Form (1992)
  30. Hollywood Historical Society, Hollywood (Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing, 2008)
  31. YWCA Blue Triangle Residence Hall NRHP Registration Form (1988)
  32. Columbia Club NRHP Registration Form (1983)
  33. Reserve Loan Life Insurance Company NRHP Registration Form (1990)
  34. Joseph Wesley Young House NRHP Registration Form (1989)
  35. Indiana Theatre NRHP Registration Form (1979)
  36. Madam C. J. Walker Manufacturing Company NRHP Registration Form (1980)
  37. Jane R. Nolan, "Indiana Governor's Residence," The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis, ed. David J. Bodenhamer and Robert G. Barrows (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1994)
  38. H. P. Wasson & Company Building NRHP Registration Form (1997)
  39. Beth-El Zedeck Temple NRHP Registration Form (2019)
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