Adolphus Gustavus Bauer (1858–1898) was an architect in North Carolina. He worked with the more famous architect Samuel Sloan and helped him build the Executive Mansion in Raleigh.A.G. Bauer, Raleigh's Architect

In 1896, Bauer survived a train accident when his carriage was struck by a train. His mental health reportedly started deteriorating and his reputation was ruined. In 1897, his Cherokee wife died and he constructed an elaborate tombstone for her in the style of a Greek temple. In 1898, he committed suicide by shooting himself in the head.

Life

Bauer struggled to find business after the death of his partner Samuel Sloan and left Raleigh for some time. When he returned he did find work on some of his better-known buildings. While he was working on the Pullen Building A picture of the Pullen Building in 1884, he met his wife-to-be, Cherokee Indian Rachel Blythe. The couple had to leave North Carolina to get married, since interracial marriages were illegal in North Carolina at the time.

A few years later, in 1896, Bauer's carriage was struck by a train. He survived, but the trauma gave him continuing psychological issues which ruined his reputation. After Rachel died in 1897,A.G. and Rachel Blythe Bauer's graves his mental health grew even worse. He constructed an elaborate tombstone for her based on a Grecian temple.An article describing the graveyard where the couple is buried Shortly after completing this last project, Bauer committed suicide by shooting himself in the head.

Works (not a comprehensive list)

Church of the Saviour and Cemetery, jct. of Church and Calhoun Sts. Jackson, North Carolina (Bauer, Adolphus Gustavus), NRHP-listed The Academy of Music North Carolina Executive Mansion, 210 N. Blount St. Raleigh, NC (Bauer, Gustavus Adolphus), NRHP-listed The Pullen Building Baptist Female University North Carolina School for the Deaf: Main Building,NC School for the Deaf U.S. 64 and Fleming Dr. Morganton, North Carolina (Bauer, Adolphus Gustavus), NRHP-listed NC Department of Labor Building NC Department of Labor Building First Presbyterian Church (Raleigh, North Carolina)

Further reading

Bushong, William B. "A. G. Bauer, North Carolina's New South Architect." North Carolina Historical Review v.60, no. 3 (July 1983): 304–32. Prioli, Carmine A. "The Indian 'Princess' and the architect : origin of a North Carolina legend." North Carolina Historical Review v.60, no. 3 (July 1983): 283–303.

References