Elmer I. Thomas
Born1863
DiedDecember 25, 1895
OccupationArchitect
BuildingsBrunswick High School, Atkinson Building, Opera House Block, Roger Williams Hall

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,[1] he entered the office of noted Lewiston architect George M. Coombs, remaining with him until the end of the decade.[2] After gaining a position of high responsibility, he departed from the office in 1889.[3] He operated an office in Auburn until December 1893, when he relocated to Lewiston, reestablishing his office in the new Osgood Building.[4] He died on Christmas Day in 1895, at the age of 33.[2] Early the following year his chief assistant, William R. Miller, began operating the office under his own name.[1]

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.[5] 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

Atkinson Building, Lewiston, 1892.
Opera House Block, Camden, 1893.
Roger Williams Hall, Bates College, 1894.

References

  1. 1 2 "William R. Miller", Biographical Dictionary of Architects in Maine. http://www.maine.gov/. n.d.
  2. 1 2 "Elmer I. Thomas". Architecture and Building 11 Jan. 1896: 21.
  3. Directory of Architects and Classified Directory of First Hands in the Building Trades. 1890.
  4. American Architect and Building News 16 Dec. 1893: xii.
  5. 1 2 Camden Opera House Block NRHP Nomination. 1986.
  6. Norris, Jane. "History of Mechanics Savings Bank". Lewiston (ME) Journal. 22 March 1975.
  7. 1 2 Main Street-Frye Street Historic District NRHP Nomination. 2008.
  8. Saco Historic District NRHP Nomination. 1998.
  9. Annual 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.
  10. 1 2 Main Street Historic District NRHP Nomination. 1989.
  11. Atkinson Building NRHP Nomination. 1982.
  12. Minutes of the 68th Session of the Maine Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 1892.
  13. Biddeford Main Street Historic District NRHP Nomination. 2009.
  14. Rockland Residential Historic District NRHP Nomination. 1987.
  15. "History of Bates Campus Buildings". http://abacus.bates.edu/. n.d. Web.
  16. Hinckley Good Will Home Historic District NRHP Nomination. 1986.
  17. School Journal 7 Sept. 1895: 194.
  18. Harlow, Doug. "Weston Avenue school in Madison reduced to rubble". http://www.centralmaine.com. 3 Sept. 2014.
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