Charles T. Rathbun was an American architect who practiced in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, during the second half of the nineteenth century.
Life and career Rathbun was born in Pittsfield in 1828.Leonard, Charles L. "Rathbun". Christian Advocate 5 Nov. 1908: 39. New York. His early life is unknown, but it is probable that he first trained as a carpenter. In the 1850s he went to New York, where he worked for ecclesiastical architect John W. Priest."GBR.268". mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n.d. Priest is known to have worked in the Pittsfield area, possibly explaining the connection.Owens, Carole. Pittsfield: Gem City in the Gilded Age. Charleston, SC: History Press, 2008. He had returned to Pittsfield by January 1858,Berkshire County Eagle 8 Jan. 1858: 1. Pittsfield. a year before Priest's death. At that time he established himself as an architect, practicing alone. He worked as such until 1894, when he established a partnership with George C. Harding, Rathbun & Harding. The two remained together until 1899, when Rathbun retired. At this time, he was noted as probably being the oldest architect in Berkshire County.Architecture and Building 25 March 1899: 95. New York. Harding practiced alone until 1901, when he established the notable local firm of Harding & Seaver."News From the Classes: 1889". Technology Review Juny 1921: 445. Cambridge.
On February 14, 1848, Rathbun married Mary Sharp in Pittsfield. He died there on July 22, 1908.
Legacy As least two buildings designed by Rathbun have been individually placed on the National Register of Historic Places, and several others contribute to listed historic districts.
Architectural works Year Building Address City State Notes Image Reference 1865 First Congregational Church 906 Main St Williamstown Massachusetts Completely rebuilt in 1913. Jones, Moira. "First Congregational Church and Williamstown: 250 Years Together". Greylock Independent Jan. 2016: 3. Williamstown. 1868 Farm complex Massachusetts Agricultural College Amherst Massachusetts Demolished. Sixteenth Annual Report of the Secretary of the Massachusetts Board of Agriculture for 1868. Boston: Wright & Potter, 1869. 1870 Chapel, First Church 27 East St Pittsfield Massachusetts "PIT.42". mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n.d. 1870 Citizens Hall 13 Willard Hill Rd Interlaken Massachusetts "STO.160". mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n.d. 1872 First M. E. Church 55 Fenn St Pittsfield Massachusetts Smith, J. E. A. The History of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, From the Year 1800 to the Year 1876. Springfield, MA: C. W. Bryan & Co., 1876. 1873 Lee Memorial Hall 32 Main St Lee Massachusetts "LEE.13". mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n.d. 1874 First Baptist Church 64 North St Pittsfield Massachusetts A remodeling. Demolished in the 1920s. Hosmer, F. A. History of Berkshire County. Vol. 2. 1876. 1879 Oman Block 52 Main St Lee Massachusetts "LEE.10". mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n.d. 1881 Central Block 75 North St Pittsfield Massachusetts "PIT.126". mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n.d. 1881 Congregational Church of West Stockbridge 45 Main St West Stockbridge Massachusetts "WSK.55". mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n.d. 1883 First Burns Block 297 North St Pittsfield Massachusetts "PIT.447". mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n.d. 1884 Englund Block 122 North St Pittsfield Massachusetts "PIT.45". mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n.d. 1887 Hoosac Street School 20 Hoosac St Adams Massachusetts "ADA.1". mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n.d. 1890 Adams High School Liberty St Adams Massachusetts Demolished. Engineering and Building Record 19 July 1890: 112. New York. 1890 John E. Parsons Estate (Stonover Farm) 169 Under Mountain Rd Lenox Massachusetts Sanitary News 24 May 1890: 45. Chicago. 1890 Second Burns Block 297 North St Pittsfield Massachusetts "PIT.115". mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n.d. 1891 Buget & Lewis Block 322 Main St Great Barrington Massachusetts Demolished. Engineering Record 9 May 1891: 386. New York. 1893 Housatonic Congregational Church 1089 Main St Housatonic Massachusetts 1894 St. Charles R. C. Church 89 Briggs Ave Pittsfield Massachusetts "Southern Berkshire: Its Early Catholic History and Present Development". Sacred Heart Review 24 Aug. 1895: 20. 1895 Rectory, St. Charles R. C. Church 89 Briggs Ave Pittsfield Massachusetts 1896 John H. Casey House 244 Main St Lee Massachusetts "LEE.42". mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n.d.
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