John R. Smith & Son, Architects
Partners:
John R. Smith, Lincoln, Nebraska
Rolland H. Smith (1902-1986), Architect & Engineer
Rolland H. Smith joined his father John R. Smith's architectural practice as a draftsman in 1922, then from 1923-1934 they operated as John R. Smith & Son, architects. Rolland married Clarissa Bucklin (1904-1980), daughter of Lincoln photographer George W. Bucklin, in 1933.[1][5][a] After practicing with his father Rolland worked for Nebraska Department of Roads as a draftsman, detailer, and bridge designer until 1940. Then "having taken a position with the war department," he moved with this family to Arlington, Virginia.[12][14] Rolland and his family relocated to Pennsylvania after WWII and he was listed in the U. S. Census of 1950 residing in Marple, Pennsylvania and working as a mechanical engineer for a "manufactory & design company".[3][b] He died in East Granby, Connecticut in August, 1986.[4][c]
This page is a contribution to the publication, Place Makers of Nebraska: The Architects. See the format and contents page for more information on the compilation and page organization.
Contents
Compiled Nebraska Directory Listings
Lincoln, Nebraska, 1922-1940
Educational & Professional Associations
1922-1934: John R. Smith & Son (Rolland H. Smith), architects, Lincoln, Nebraska.
Buildings & Projects
Dated Projects
Methodist Church (1921), Mount Pleasant, Iowa.[2][33]
East Side/East Lincoln Christian Church (1921-1923), 27th & Y Streets, Lincoln, Nebraska.[2][15][34]
Methodist Church and Community Building (1922), Gurley, Nebraska.[35]
Methodist Church (1922), Curtis, Nebraska.[2][36]
Methodist Church (1922), Wauneta, Nebraska.[2][37]
Presbyterian Church (1922), Bayard, Nebraska.[2][38]
Consulting architect for First Baptist Church (1922), 3rd Ave. North & Division St., Billings, Montana.[2][39][e]
Plans for a new Methodist Church (1923), Stanton, Nebraska.[16]
Presbyterian Church (1923-1924), Alexandria, Nebraska.[2][17][18]
Consulting architect for First Presbyterian Church (1923-1924) Tulsa, Oklahoma.[2][40]
Double store for W. J. Byer (1924-1926), 2786-2792 South Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[29]
Craftsman Masonic Lodge (1925-1926), 2645 B Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[30][d]
Methodist Church (1926) Ainsworth, Nebraska.[2][19]
Kroblen, Goldstein & Umberger Mortuary (1926, demolished for Lied Center), 1110 Q St., Lincoln, Nebraska.[32] (LC13:C09-030)
United Presbyterian Church (1927), 880 South 35th Street (at F Street), Lincoln, Nebraska.[2][20][21]
Zion Congregational Church (1927, burned June 2007), 9th and D Streets, Lincoln, Nebraska.[2][22]
Methodist Church (1927), Benkelman, Nebraska.[2][23]
First Evangelical Church, later Parkview United Methodist Church (1927-1928), 120 East 9th, Cozad, Nebraska.[2][41][42][f]
Calvary Lutheran Church (1928), 2788 Franklin Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[2][24]
Plans for Methodist Episcopal Church (1929), Madison, Nebraska.[25][26]
Federated Church (1929), Aurora, Nebraska.[2][27][28]
Undated Projects
Consulting architect for Baptist Church, Billings, Montana.[2]
Consulting architect for Presbyterian Church, Tulsa, Oklahoma.[2]
Methodist Church, Bluff City, Nebraska.[2]
Notes
a. Clarissa Smith was a frequent correspondent to her local newspaper in Marple Township, Pennsylvania, a leader in the area's historical society and preservation efforts, and helped document an abandoned cemetery associated with an African Methodist Episcopal church.[6][7][8][10]
b. Rolland Smith served on the board of the Marple School District, beginning in 1955. He was also a photographer for the local newspaper, as well as a mechanical engineer "for a Philadelphia concern."[9][10][11]
c. Clarissa Smith died in Broomall, Pennsylvania in 1980 at age 76. Her obituary listed Rolland as "of Devon Manor, Devon, Pa." in 1980; their daughters were identified as "Mrs. Phyllis A. Stevens of Hugheswille, Pa., Mrs Muriel M. Kieler of Prompton, Pa. and Mrs. Evelyn C. Caranchini of East Granby, Conn." At the time of his death in 1986, Rolland resided in East Granby, presumably near Evelyn.[4][5][13]
d. Plans filed with Building Permit 14605 show a handsome, wood-frame, Colonial Revival building. It burned down in 1941 and was replaced with the current limestone structure.[31]
e. An article in The Billings Gazette in 1922 announced the cornerstone-laying ceremony for First Baptist Church of Billings and noted "The present plans were drawn by the local firm of McIver and Cohagen and George B. Merrill of New York, consulting architect." A perspective drawing accompanying the article is inscribed: "McIver & Cohagen and J R Smith & Sons Associate Architects."[39]
f. The Cozad newspaper reported in September 1927 that the architect working with the building committee for Cozad's Evangelical Church was A. E. Smith of Lincoln. No Lincoln architect by that name is known and the Lincoln City directories of 1927 and 1928 list no individuals by that name. John R. Smith & Son's brochure (ca. 1930) listing their projects lists three Evangelical churches, including Cozad's. Alfred E. ("Al") Smith was the long-time Governor of New York in 1927 and in 1928 was the Democratic nominee for president, perhaps prompting the Cozad reporter's (or typesetter's) error.[2][41]
References
1. "Bucklin-Smith" (wedding announcement), (Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal (August 20, 1933), 14.
2. J. R. Smith & Son, Architects, “Modern Church Architecture,” (Lincoln: N.P., n.d. [c. 1930]); (includes list of 100 churches designed by the firm).
3. Ancestry.com. 1950 United States Federal Census, s.v. "Rollond [sic] H. Smith" (and wife Clarissa), [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2022.
4. Ancestry.com. U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014, s.v. "Rolland Smith" (born June 5, 1902), [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2014.
5. Ancestry.com. U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014, s.v. "Clarissa Smith", last residence: Broomall, Pennsylvania, [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2014.
6. "Groups hopes to furnish Massey House," Delaware County (Chester, PA) Daily Times June 14, 1973), 28.
7. "Seclusion is only a memory for a tiny black enclave," Philadelphia Inquirer (June 12, 1994), MD1-d, MD2-d.
8. "Paying a Cemetery Respects," Philadelphia Inquirer (June 12, 2015), B01-2.
9. "R. H. Smith Named To Marple Board," Delaware County (Chester, PA) Daily Times (November 8, 1955), 16.
10. "My Favorite Recipe--Spaghetti and Meatballs, Chester (PA.) Times (February 6, 1958), 68.
11. "Faces Murder Charge...(Photo by Rolland H. Smith)," Delaware County (Chester, PA) Daily Times (December 9, 1957), 25.
12. "Nebraskans in Washington," Lincoln (Nebraska) Sunday Journal and Star (June 29, 1941), 25.
13. "Smith Clarissa N. (nee Bucklin)..." The Philadelphia Inquirer (January 1, 1981), 26.
14. Ancestry.com. U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947, s.v. "Rolland Harold Smith," [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.
15. City of Lincoln Building Permit #11055, issued 1923.
16. "Will Build New Methodist Church," Lincoln (Nebraska) Journal Star (June 7, 1923), 10.
17. "Alexandria Holds Services in New Presbyterian Edifice," (Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal (April 18, 1924), 14.
18. "Eleven Years History of the Alexandria Presbyterian Church--Given At Tenth Anniversary Service of Dedication of Present Church," Alexandria (Nebraska) Argus (May 10, 1934), 1, 4.
19. "Methodist Episcopal Church Notes...Sketches were carefully examined and Architect Smith of Lincoln...was employed," Ainsworth (Nebraska) Star-Journal (February 25, 1926), 1.
20. City of Lincoln Building Permit #16768, issued August 18, 1927, with elevations.
21. "Church Structure Dedicated Sunday...New United Presbyterian Edifice," Lincoln (Nebraska) State Journal (January 30, 1928), 9.
22. City of Lincoln Building Permit #16562, issued 1927.
23. "M. E. Church Dedication to be Held Next Sunday," Benkelman (Nebraska) Post and News-Chronicle (April 8, 1927), 1 (with photo of church and portrait of J. R. Smith).
24. City of Lincoln Building Permit #18173, issued November 8, 1928.
25. "Talk Over New Plan--The New M. E. Church Building is Subject of Discussion," Madison (Nebraska) News (July 18, 1929), 1.
26. "Dedication of Presbyterian Church--$26,000 Edifice One of the Grandest In the State, Both Inside and Outside," Madison (Nebraska) Star-Mail (June 19, 1914), 1.
27. "Church Will Vote on New Building Plans," (Aurora, Nebraska) Republican-Register (August 30, 1929), 1.
28. "New Church Will Rise on Walls of Burned Building," (Aurora, Nebraska) Republican-Register (September 6, 1929), 1.
29. City of Lincoln Building Permits #12325 and #15304, issued April 25, 1924 and April 15, 1926, respectively, with plans.
30. City of Lincoln Building Permit #14605, issued October 7, 1925.
31. Ed Zimmer, Walking the Near South Neighborhood: Volume 2 (Lincoln, Nebraska: Near South Neighborhood Association, 2020), 14.
32. "New Mortuary--Open to the Public," Lincoln (Nebraska) State Journal (October 25, 1926), 12 (illustrated).
33. "Church: $10,000...Mt. Pleasant, Ia. Archt. J. R. Smith & Sons [sic]...M. E. Society," American Contractor (March 5, 1921), 88C.
34. "Church: 2 sty. 60x90, 27th & Y st. Archt. J. R. Smith & Sons [sic]...Owner East Lincoln Christian Congr...," American Contractor (March 26, 1921), 76.
35. "Church & Community Bldg.,:$25,000...Gurley, Nebr. Archt. J. R. Smith & Son...Owner M. E. Church Society...Plans being revised." American Contractor (February 11, 1922), 71.
36. "Church: $30,000...Curtis, Nebr....M. E. Society," American Contractor (April 15, 1922), 81.
37. "Church: $30,000...Wauneta, Nebr....M. E. Society," American Contractor (April 15, 1922), 81.
38. "Church: $30,000...Bayard, Nebr....Presby. Church," American Contractor (October 7, 1922), 54.
39. "Baptists Lay Corner Stone of $100,000 Church Sunday," The Billings (Montana) Gazette (September 30, 1922), 5 (illustrated with perspective rendering inscribed "First Baptist Church--McIver & Cohagen and J. R. Smith & Sons Associate Architects").
40. "Presbyterian Jubilee Will Open New Church," Tulsa (Oklahoma) World (March 15, 1925), 9.
41. "Will Build New Church," Cozad (Nebraska) Local (September 23, 1927), 1.
42. "Dedication of Evangelical Church," Cozad (Nebraska) Local (March 30, 1928), 8.
Page Citation
E. F. Zimmer & D. Murphy, “John R. Smith & Son, Architects,” in David Murphy, Edward F. Zimmer, and Lynn Meyer, comps. Place Makers of Nebraska: The Architects. Lincoln: Nebraska State Historical Society, January 9, 1924. http://www.e-nebraskahistory.org/index.php?title=Place_Makers_of_Nebraska:_The_Architects Accessed, November 22, 2024.
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