Andrews, Jaques & Rantoul was an American architectural firm founded in Boston, Massachusetts in 1883 and composed of architects Robert Day Andrews, Herbert Jaques and Augustus Neal Rantoul.Philadelphia Architects and Buildings: Andrews, Jaques & Rantoul The firm, with its successors, was in business continuously from 1883 to 1970, for a total of eighty-seven years of architectural practice.
History The firm was established in July 1883 as Andrews & Jaques by Robert Day Andrews (1857–1928) and Herbert Jaques (1857–1916). Both architects had graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1877 and spent several years in the office and studio of Henry Hobson Richardson. In 1887 they were joined by Angustus N. Rantoul (1865–1934). When Rantoul joined the partnership in 1889, the firm became Andrews, Jaques & Rantoul.
The partnership structure was unchanged until Jaques retired in 1909, with his share of the firm taken over by Howland Jones (1868–1959). When Jaques died in 1916 the firm was renamed Andrews, Rantoul & Jones.Technology Review 19, no. 1 (January, 1917): 66-70. In 1924 Rantoul retired and Maurice B. Biscoe (1871–1953) and John Whitmore (1893–1943) became partners in the reorganized Andrews, Jones, Biscoe & Whitmore.Technology Review 26, no. 8 (July, 1924): 465.
Andrews died in 1928, though the name of the firm was not changed. Whitmore died in 1943, and Edwin B. Goodell Jr. (1893–1970) became partner in the firm, which became Andrews, Jones, Biscoe & Goodell. Biscoe died in 1953, and Jones retired in 1955. Goodell continued to practice under his own name until his death in 1970.James F. O'Gorman, Drawing Toward Home: Designs for Domestic Architecture from Historic New England (Boston: Historic New England, 2010)
In 1888 the firm established a western office in Denver, Colorado,Engineering and Building Record, September 8, 1888, 178. moving it to Chicago in 1892.Architecture and Building, February 6, 1892, 70. It was closed not long afterwards.
Legacy The firm designed numerous buildings that are listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Despite many listings as Andrews, Jacques & Rantoul, even during the years they operated, the firm name is correctly spelled: Andrews, Jaques & Rantoul.Architectural renderings from the firm of Andrews, Jaques & Rantoul at the Ryerson & Burnham archives: Archival Image Collection of THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO
Architectural works Boston and Massachusetts 1887 — William Brewster house, CambridgeChristopher Hail, Cambridge Buildings and Architects, 2003. Accessed October 22, 2024. A contributing resource to the NRHP-listed Old Cambridge Historic District. 1887 — Richard Henry Dana III house, Cambridge A contributing resource to the NRHP-listed Old Cambridge Historic District. 1889 — Robert C. Hooper house, BostonSouthworth, Susan and Michael, AIA Guide to Boston, Third Edition, Guilford, Conn.: Globe Pequot Press, 2008, p. 172-173. A contributing resource to the NRHP-listed Back Bay Historic District. 1889 — Josiah Royce house, Cambridge The home of Julia Child from 1961 until 2001. A contributing resource to the NRHP-listed Shady Hill Historic District. 1890 — Roughwood, Chestnut HillRichard M. Candee, Naomi Miller, Keith N. Morgan and Roger G. Reed, Buildings of Massachusetts, ed. Keith N. Morgan (Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2009): 508-509. Acquired by Pine Manor College in 1961, which is now Messina College of Boston University. NRHP-listed. 1892 — Boston Lying-in Hospital, BostonEngineering and Building Record (October 4, 1890): 289.The 60th Annual Report of the Boston Lying-in Hospital, 1892 (Boston: George M. Ellis, 1893) Demolished. 1893 — Paine Estate, Chestnut HillHistoric Building Detail: BKL.1702, Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System. Accessed October 23, 2024. NRHP-listed. 1893 — Bunkio Matsuki house, SalemFrederic A. Sharf, "A Pleasing Novelty:" Bunkio Matsuki and the Japan Craze in Victorian Salem (Salem: Peabody Essex Museum, 1993) Known as the "Japanese House" for its original owner and its distinctive style. 1895 — Brookline High School, BrooklineAnnual Report of the Town Officers of Brookline, Massachusetts, and the Town Records, for the Year ending January 31, 1896 (Brookline, MA: Riverdale Press, 1896) Destroyed by fire in 1936. 1898 — Godfrey Lowell Cabot house, Cambridge 1898 — Worcester County Courthouse, WorcesterHistoric Area Detail: WOR.FJ, Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System. Accessed October 22, 2024. NRHP-listed, also a contributing resource to the NRHP-listed Institutional District. 1899 — Newton Centre United Methodist Church (former), Newton CentreAmerican Architect and Building News (March 26, 1898) 1900 — Lorin F. Deland and Margaret Deland house, BostonBainbridge Bunting, Houses of Boston's Back Bay (Cambridge: Belknap Press of Harvard University, 1967) 1900 — Muller Building, BostonEngineering Record (August 4, 1900): 199. A contributing resource to the NRHP-listed Custom House District. 1900 — Henry Woods High School (former), BarreSchool Board Journal (April 1, 1899): 337. As of 2025, the Henry Woods Municipal Building. 1901 — Jamaica Plain High School (former), Jamaica PlainBrickbuilder (March 1898): 70. A contributing resource to the NRHP-listed Sumner Hill Historic District. 1902 — State Mutual Life Assurance Company Building, BostonHistoric Building Detail: BOS.1661, Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System. Accessed October 22, 2024. As of 2025, an office building known by its address, 50 Congress Street. 1905 — Robert Day Andrews house, BrooklineHistoric Building Detail: BKL.1470, Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System. Accessed October 23, 2024. Home of the architect. A contributing resource to the NRHP-listed Fisher Hill Historic District. 1905 — House of the Good Samaritan, BostonBrickbuilder (May 1905) Demolished in 1979. 1906 — Haverhill Armory (former), HaverhillEngineering Record (February 11, 1905): 41. As of 2025, the Haverhill Firefighting Museum. 1907 — Charlestown Armory (former), CharlestownEngineering-Contracting (September 18, 1907): 16. 1908 — Hornblower & Weeks building, BostonDonlyn Lyndon, The City Observed: Boston. A Guide to the Architecture of the Hub (New York: Random House, 1982) 1911 — Peerless Motor Car Company building, BostonHistoric Building Detail: BOS.7300, Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System. Accessed October 23, 2024. The base of the Boston Citgo sign. 1912 — Nahant Town Hall, NahantRichard M. Candee, Naomi Miller, Keith N. Morgan and Roger G. Reed, Buildings of Massachusetts, ed. Keith N. Morgan (Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2009): 380. A contributing resource to the NRHP-listed Nahant Civic Historic District. 1913 — Dexter Building, BostonHistoric Building Detail: BOS.2141, Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System. Accessed October 23, 2024. 1917 — F. Jewett Moore house, Cambridge As of 2025, home to the Theta Delta Chi fraternity. 1921 — William L. S. Brayton house, Fall RiverAmerican Contractor (July 3, 1920): 53."Home of William L. S. Brayton, corner of Rock and Walnut Streets, will be ready for occupancy," Fall River Globe, April 14, 1921. As of 2025, the Fall River School Administration Building. 1921 — Ipswich Memorial Hall, Ipswich"33 Central Street, Memorial Hall (1921)," Historic Ipswich. Accessed July 21, 2025. 1922 — Bancroft School (former), WorcesterAmerican Contractor (February 11, 1922): 54. Later home to Becker College until its closure in 2021. 1926 — Blakeley Hall, Tufts University, MedfordRussell E. Miller, Light on the Hill: A History of Tufts College, 1852-1952 (Boston: Beacon Press, 1966)Richard M. Candee, Naomi Miller, Keith N. Morgan and Roger G. Reed, Buildings of Massachusetts, ed. Keith N. Morgan (Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2009): 405-406. 1927 — Braker Hall, Tufts University, Medford 1928 — Stratton Hall, Tufts University, Somerville 1929 — Alpha Delta Phi fraternity house (former), AmherstStanley King, The Consecrated Eminence: The Story of the Campus and Buildings of Amherst College (Amherst: Amherst College, 1951): 156-157. As of 2025, Hitchcock Residence Hall of Amherst College. 1932 — Cousens Gymnasium, Tufts University, Medford This project was submitted for exhibition in the architecture event in the art competition at the 1932 Summer Olympics. 1934 — Salem Public Library North Branch (former), SalemHistoric Building Detail: SAL.1756, Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System. Accessed October 22, 2024. Closed in 1977. As of 2025, offices. 1938 — Winslow Academic Center, Lasell University, AuburndaleEngineering News-Record (June 24, 1937): 62. 1941 — Memorial Chapel, Newton Cemetery, Newton CentreHistoric Building Detail: NWT.5243, Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System. Accessed October 22, 2024. 1950 — Salvation Army Building, BostonHistoric Building Detail: BOS.2376, Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System. Accessed October 23, 2024. Demolished in 2011 for the Liberty Mutual Tower. 1954 — Memorial Spaulding School, Oak HillEngineering News-Record (March 13, 1952): 118.
Elsewhere in New England 1888 — Emmanuel Church, Dublin, New HampshireBryant F. Tolles Jr. and Carolyn K. Tolles, New Hampshire Architecture: An Illustrated Guide (Hanover: University Press of New England, 1979): 127-128. 1890 — Gov. Frank West Rollins House, Concord, New HampshireKaren R. Johnson (1984), National Register of Historic Places Registration: Gov. Frank West Rollins House, National Park Service. NRHP-listed. 1891 — Stephen O. Metcalf house, Providence, Rhode IslandWilliam H. Jordy, Buildings of Rhode Island, ed. Ronald J. Onorato and William McKenzie Woodward (New York: Oxford University Press, 2004): 106. Since 1953, home to the presidents of the Rhode Island School of Design. 1893 — Brown Library, Seabrook, New HampshireJames L. Garvin, "A search for style" in The Road Taken: The New Hampshire Library Association, 1889—1989, ed. Shirley Gray Adamovich (West Kennebunk: Phoenix Publishing, 1989): 51-66. In 1994, moved to the site of the new Seabrook Public Library, to which it was attached. 1901 — Gymnasium (former), University of Vermont, Burlington, VermontGlenn M. Andres and Curtis B. Johnson, Buildings of Vermont (Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2013): 155. As of 2025, the Royall Tyler Theatre. 1903 — La Rochelle, Bar Harbor, Maine"A history of La Rochelle," Bar Harbor Historical Society. Accessed July 21, 2025. Built as a summer home for George S. Bowdoin. As of 2025, the museum of the Bar Harbor Historical Society. A contributing resource to the NRHP-listed West Street Historic District. 1904 — Hartford Club, Hartford, Connecticut and NRHP-listed. 1904 — Nannau, Bar Harbor, MaineFrank A. Beard and Roger G. Reed (1984), National Register of Historic Places Registration: Nannau, National Park Service. Built as a summer home for David R. Ogden. NRHP-listed. 1908 — George C. F. Williams house, Hartford, ConnecticutGregory E. Andrews and David F. Ransom (1985), National Register of Historic Places Inventory—Nomination: Prospect Avenue Historic District, National Park Service. Enlarged in 1916 by Smith & Bassette. Since 1945, the Connecticut Governor's Residence. A contributing resource to the NRHP-listed Prospect Avenue Historic District. 1909 — Hulls Cove High School, Bar Harbor, MaineKirk F. Mohney (1999), National Register of Historic Places Registration: Hulls Cove High School, National Park Service. NRHP-listed. 1910 — Miller Hall, Brown University, Providence, Rhode IslandRaymond P. Rhinehart, Brown University: An Architectural Tour (New York: Princeton Architectural Press, 2014): 141-142. The firm's three buildings at Brown University were originally built for the use of Pembroke College, its coordinate college for women.