Elmer I. Thomas (1863–1895) was an American architect who practiced in Auburn and Lewiston, Maine.
Biography Elmer Thomas was born in Lewiston in 1863 to Sylvanus D. and Julia Thomas. He attended the public schools before entering Amherst College, where he remained for only two or three years. After a period at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology,"William R. Miller", Biographical Dictionary of Architects in Maine . http://www.maine.gov/. n.d. he entered the office of noted Lewiston architect George M. Coombs, remaining with him until the end of the decade."Elmer I. Thomas". Architecture and Building 11 Jan. 1896: 21. After gaining a position of high responsibility, he departed from the office in 1889.Directory of Architects and Classified Directory of First Hands in the Building Trades. 1890. He operated an office in Auburn until December 1893, when he relocated to Lewiston, reestablishing his office in the new Osgood Building.American Architect and Building News 16 Dec. 1893: xii. He died on Christmas Day in 1895, at the age of 33. Early the following year his chief assistant, William R. Miller, began operating the office under his own name.
Despite his brief career, Thomas became one of Maine's most sought-after architects within a few years of beginning his practice. He was also the state's first architect to have a college education.Camden Opera House Block NRHP Nomination. 1986. At least two of his works have been individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and several more contribute to listed historic districts.
Architectural work
1888 - Mechanics Savings Bank Building, 79 Main St, Auburn, MaineNorris, Jane. "History of Mechanics Savings Bank". Lewiston (ME) Journal. 22 March 1975. George M. Coombs, architect of record 1889 - George D. Armstrong House, 27 Frye St, Lewiston, Maine. 2008. 1890 - Enoch Lowell House, 402 Main St, Saco, Maine. 1998. 1891 - Brunswick High School (Hawthorne School), 46 Federal St, Brunswick, MaineAnnual Report of the Selectmen of the Town of Brunswick, with Reports of the Treasurer, Auditors, Chief Engineer, and Report of Survey of Town Common. From February 1, 1891, to February 1, 1892. 1892. Substantially rebuilt after a 1915 fire. 1891 - Sylvanus D. Thomas Duplex, 185 Main St, Auburn, MaineMain Street Historic District NRHP Nomination. 1989. Occupied in part by the architect 1892 - Atkinson Building, 220 Lisbon St, Lewiston, MaineAtkinson Building NRHP Nomination. 1982. 1892 - Byron Armstrong House, 29 Frye St, Lewiston, Maine 1892 - Bethel M. E. Church, 75 Main St, Bethel, MaineMinutes of the 68th Session of the Maine Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 1892. 1892 - Fairfield Block, 148 Main St, Biddeford, Maine. 2009. 1892 - McLain School, 40 Lincoln St, Rockland, MaineRockland Residential Historic District NRHP Nomination. 1987. 1893 - Opera House Block, 29 Elm St, Camden, Maine 1894 - John H. Chase House, 16 Elm St, Auburn, Maine 1894 - Roger Williams Hall, Bates College, Lewiston, Maine"History of Bates Campus Buildings". http://abacus.bates.edu/. n.d. Web. 1895 - Hall Cottage, Good Will Home and School, Hinckley, Maine. 1986. 1895 - E. Mont Perry House, 70 Beech Street, Rockland Maine 1895 - Weston Avenue School, head of Middle St, Madison, MaineSchool Journal 7 Sept. 1895: 194. Demolished in 2014Harlow, Doug. "Weston Avenue school in Madison reduced to rubble". http://www.centralmaine.com. 3 Sept. 2014.
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