Charles B. Cluskey

Charles Blaney Cluskey (ca. 1808–1871) was an American architect active from the 1830s to the start of the Civil War, and therefore he is recognized as an antebellum architect. He is reputed to be the initiator of the Greek Revival–style in the south, and his commissions, both public and private, can still be seen in Augusta, Milledgeville and Savannah, Georgia.[1]

Early life

Born in Ireland, Cluskey emigrated to the United States in 1827, landing in New York City, where he trained with the architectural firm 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".[2] It is based on the Villa Capra "La Rotonda".[2]

In 1839 he completed the Governor's Mansion, also based on the Villa Capra, and the main building for Oglethorpe University in 1840.[1][2] 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," and that the building is "without question, his most perfect example of the Greek Revival house. [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 Harper Fowlkes House and Sorrel-Weed Houses.[1][2]

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

He moved to Washington, D.C., in 1847. He later provided input on planned additions to the Executive Mansion, but his suggestions were not implemented.[1][2]

In 1869 Cluskey moved back to Savannah. In the aftermath of the Civil War he was commissioned to rebuild the St. Simons Island Light.[1][3]

Selected works

Death

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

  • Hermitage Plantation house (1830), Savannah
    Hermitage Plantation house (1830), Savannah
  • Medical College of Georgia (later Georgia Health Sciences University) (1834-37), Augusta
    Medical College of Georgia (later Georgia Health Sciences University) (1834-37), Augusta
  • Oglethorpe University (1837-40), Baldwin County near Milledgeville
    Oglethorpe University (1837-40), Baldwin County near Milledgeville
  • Governor's Mansion (1837-39), Milledgeville
    Governor's Mansion (1837-39), Milledgeville
  • Champion-McAlpin-Fowlkes House (1844), Savannah
    Champion-McAlpin-Fowlkes House (1844), Savannah
  • St. Vincent's Academy (1845), Savannah
    St. Vincent's Academy (1845), Savannah
  • Philbrick-Eastman House (1853), Savannah
    Philbrick-Eastman House (1853), Savannah
  • Mills House (1855), Griffin
    Mills House (1855), Griffin
  • U.S. Customs House and Court House (1861), Galveston
    U.S. Customs House and Court House (1861), Galveston
  • St. Simons Island lighthouse and keeper's residence (1869), St. Simons Island
    St. Simons Island lighthouse and keeper's residence (1869), St. Simons Island
  • Sorrel–Weed House (1853), Savannah
    Sorrel–Weed House (1853), Savannah

References
  1. "Charles B. Cluskey (ca. 1808-1871)". New Georgia Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2017-04-09.
  2. Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Old Governor's Mansion / Executive Mansion (pdf). National Park Service.
  3. "The Cluskey Embankment Stores Signage" (PDF). thempc. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  4. Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Old Medical College Building (pdf). National Park Service.
  5. "Medical College Building". Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  6. Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Oglethorpe University Historic District (pdf). National Park Service.
  7. "Old Governor's Mansion". Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  8. Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination:Savannah Historic District (pdf). National Park Service.
  9. "St. Vincent's Academy". Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  10. "Old Sorrel-Weed House". Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  11. Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination:Mills House (pdf). National Park Service.
  12. Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination:Galveston US Post Office, Custom House and Courthouse (pdf). National Park Service.
  13. Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination:US Coast Guard Station--St. Simons Island (pdf). National Park Service.
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