Charles B. Cluskey

Charles B. Cluskey (ca. 1808–1871) was an antebellum architect and an originator of Greek Revival–style houses and public buildings operating mainly in Augusta, Milledgeville and Savannah, Georgia. His activity span from the 1830s to 1860s.[1]

Early life

Born in Ireland, Charles Blaney Cluskey emigrated in the United States in 1827, landing in New York City, where he trained with Town and Davis. He moved to Savannah in 1829, where he did his first solo-commission, the Hermitage Plantation House, in 1830, now demolished.[1]

Career

The Old Medical College (later Georgia Health Sciences University), built in 1837, was Cluskey's first major commission and the first example of the Greek revival style that would be his trademark. The Old Medical College is considered one of his masterpieces. Like the Governor's Mansion, Milledgeville, it is based on the rotunda part of the Villa Capra. In 1839 he completed the Governor's Mansion, and the Oglethorpe University in 1840.[1] The Executive Mansion is, without question, his most perfect example of the Greek Revival house. The National Register nomination document for his Governor's Mansion asserts that: "His works gained recognition because they were a direct departure from the more conservative designs of rectangular shapes that had been generally used in domestic architecture." [2]

In the 1840 and 50s, Cluskey moved to private commissions in Savannah, three houses still existing in what is now the Savannah Historic District. Notable examples existing in Savannah today are the Champion-McAlpin-Fowlkes and Sorrel-Weed Houses.[1][2]

In 1845 he was elected Savannah city surveyor.[1]

He moved to Washington, D.C., in 1847. Following Cluskey's departure from Georgia, he was consulted on expansion of the Capitol and Executive Mansion in Washington, but his ideas were never used.[1][2]

In 1869 Cluskey moved back to Savannah to rebuild the St. Simons Island lighthouse, destroyed during the American Civil War.[1]

Selected works

Death

He died due to malaria in 1871 before completing the St. Simons Island lighthouse.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Charles B. Cluskey (ca. 1808-1871)". New Georgia Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2017-04-09.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Mary Jo Thompson (May 1, 1971). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Old Governor's Mansion / Executive Mansion" (pdf). National Park Service. With photo.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 National Park Service (2010-07-09). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  4. ↑ "Old Medical College Building". Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  5. ↑ "Medical College Building". Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  6. ↑ "Oglethorpe University Historic District". Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  7. ↑ "Old Governor's Mansion". Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 "Savannah Historic District". Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  9. ↑ "St. Vincent's Academy". Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  10. ↑ "Old Sorrel-Weed House". Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  11. ↑ "Mills House". Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  12. ↑ "Galveston US Post Office, Custom House and Courthouse". Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  13. ↑ "US Coast Guard Station--St. Simons Island". Retrieved July 27, 2017.
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