Charles F. Lembke (March 4, 1865 – July 18, 1923) was an American architect and contractor who was prominent in Valparaiso, Indiana. Lembke built many downtown Valparaiso-area buildings, such as the Memorial Opera House (National Register, 1984), Carnegie public Library, Hotel Lembke, and several local schools.National Register of Historic Places Inventory – Nomination Form; US Dept of the Interior, National Park Service; Dr. David J. Loring Residence and Clinic; Bertha Stalbaum & Alice Vietzke; Valparaiso Woman's Club; Valparaiso, Indiana, June 11, 1984

Lembke was born to German immigrants Christian Lembke and Caroline Nuppnau Lembke. He completed his education in his hometown of Valparaiso, then went on to Valparaiso University, completing his education in the School of Architecture at the University of Chicago. He returned to Valparaiso and formed the Charles Lembke company with his two brothers, William and Henry. Because state law would not allow an architect to build the structure he designed, Charles managed the design business and Henry managed the construction business; they built much of what they designed.Charles Lembke Designed Many Schools, University Buildings; Karin Anderson; Vidette Messenger, Dec 7, 1966 Charles grandson stated in 1966 that the family felt that Charles best work as DeMotte Hall on the campus of Valparaiso University. Constructed in 1915 as the Agriculture and Domestic Science Building, the building served the university after 1959 as the Valparaiso School of Law.

Awards At the Paris Exposition of 1900, the French Society of Architects awarded Charles Lembke First Place and the gold medal for the best two-room school house made of brick.Valparaiso, A Pictorial History; George E. Neeley; G. Bradley Publishing; St. Louis, Missouri; 1989; pg 47, 140, 186-87 This was the Center Township District No. 3 School.

Projects Charles Lembke contributed a significant number of structures to Valparaiso and Porter County. He is credited with 28 residences, 18 schools, and 27 business. between 1900 and 1923.Porter County Interim Report, Indiana Historic Sites and Structures Inventory; Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana & Indiana Department of Natural Resources; Indianapolis, Indiana; July 1991 1871, Porter County Jail, S. Washington, builder 1881,Sesquicentennial; "The Way We Were in 1986", Porter County Sesquicentennial Commission, Inc.; Valparaiso, Indiana; 1986, pg 81 Telephone Building, architect 1890, Lembke House, 304 Morgan St., Valparaiso 1890, Vidette Messenger Building, 163-167 W. Lincolnway, architect 1891, Christian Hospital, 108 E. Jefferson St., architect,Christian Hospital, Valparaiso, Indiana; Circa 1907; Postcard; Publisher, Printer, Photographer: Elmer E. Starr; Collection: Steven R. Shook razed ca 1978Images of America, Valparaiso,, Looking Back, Moving Forward; Lanette Mullins; Arcadia Publishing; Chicago, IL, 2002; pg 18 1893, Memorial Hall, 104 E. Indiana, architect 1895, Center Township District No. 1 School, aka Flint Lake School, SR 49 at 500 N., architect, razed 2000 1896, Jackson Township District No. 5 School, 300 E, architect 1898,Columbia Public School, Valparaiso, Indiana; 1898; Photograph Publisher, Printer, Photographer: Headlight Engraving Company; Collection: Steven R. Shook Columbia School, 500 E. Indiana, architect, razed 1965 1899, Gardner School, W. Jefferson St, builder ca. 1900; Center Township District No. 3 School, architect, 1900. Science Building (Baldwin Hall), Valparaiso University, College Place; razed 1996 Science Hall and Medical Building, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Indiana; 1913; Postcard; Publisher, Printer, Photographer: Auburn Post Card Manufacturing Company; Postmark: April 29, 1913, Cincinnati, Ohio; Collection: Steven R. Shook 1900/12, J. Lowenstines and Sons, 57-63 N Franklin, architect, burned ca. 1992 1904,Central School Building. Valparaiso, Indiana, Circa 1910, Postcard, Publisher, Printer, Photographer: Elmer E. Starr (#65926) Collection: Steven R. Shook Valparaiso Central School, 305 N. Franklin St., architect, burned 1938 1905, Porter County Home, south S.R. 2 1905, Steve L. Finney House/Joseph Urschel House, 202 N. Michigan, architect 1906, Dr. David J. Loring Residence and Clinic, 102 N. Washington St, architect 1906–07, Biology and Medical Building, Valparaiso University, College Place, architect, razed ca 1995 1907, Lembke Hall, Valparaiso University, S. College St. (demolished 1996) New Dormitory, Valparaiso (Ind.) University, Valparaiso, Indiana; 1907; Postcard; Publisher, Printer, Photographer: Elmer E. Starr; Postmark: November 30, 1907, Valparaiso, Indiana; Collection: Steven R. Shook 1909, Altruria Hall, Valparaiso University, College at Brown St, razed 1985Altruria Hall, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Indiana; 1910; Postcard; Publisher, Printer, Photographer: Portage Publishing Company; Postmark: September 19, 1910, Valparaiso, Indiana; Collection: Steven R. Shook ca 1910; Music Hall (Kinsey Hall), Valparaiso University, College St., architect, burned 1970Music Hall, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Indiana; Circa 1910; Postcard; Publisher, Printer, Photographer: Unknown; Collection: Steven R. Shook 1912–13, Charles Thune House, 357 W. Jefferson St, builder 1914, Valparaiso Carnegie Library, 107 E. Jefferson St., builder. demolished 1995 1915, ca; Agriculture and Domestic Science Building, Valparaiso University, College at Freeman, architect; In 1959, it was renamed DeMotte Hall 1923, Hotel Lembke, 23 N. Lafayette St. at Jefferson, builder, razed 1988 Auto Dealership, 212-216 E. Lincolnway, architect, first poured concrete structure in Valparaiso. Memorial Theater, W. Lincolnway, architect,Chas. Lembke, Active Valparaiso Business man, Died Today, Evening – Messenger Newspaper; Valparaiso, Indiana; July 18, 1923 Premier Theater, N. Franklin, architect Specht-Finney Building, Main (Lincolnway) at Franklin, architect St. Clair School, Union Township, west of Cooks Corner Elementary School., architect, razed ca 1943 Bogarte Building, Bookstore, at Valparaiso University.

Patents Charles Lambke was awarded three patents on internal combustion engines.U.S. Patent Office Record files. Accessed March 5, 2014

Design Rotary explosive-engine.Proceedings of the American Gas Light Association, Volume 19; 1902 Internal-combustion engine. Internal-combustion engine. Publication # US694557 A US1108916 A US1106720 A Publication Date Mar 4, 1902 Sep 1, 1914 Aug 11, 1914

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