Eugene J. Gibbs

Eugene J. Gibbs was born in 1869 in Lewiston to John K. Gibbs and his wife. He was raised and educated in Auburn. He was trained in architecture in the office of George M. Coombs, the leading architect in the region. In 1896 he became a partner of Coombs, in a firm variously known as Coombs, Gibbs & Wilkinson and Coombs & Gibbs. Coombs died in 1909, and Gibbs briefly continued in partnership with his son, Harry S. Coombs, who had worked with them since 1901. In 1910 Gibbs left Coombs and formed the firm of Gibbs & Pulsifer with Addison G. Pulsifer, a former employee of Coombs & Gibbs. They dissolved their partnership in 1927, and Gibbs entered private practice. He died suddenly of a stroke on March 19, 1929, at his home in Auburn.[1][2][3]

Gibbs was married to Grace Furbush, and they had three children. He was also an artist, having two known sketchbooks among his family.[4][2]

At least ten buildings designed by Gibbs and his partners have been listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places, and others contribute to listed historic districts.

The work of which Gibbs was most proud was the Kora Temple in Lewiston, completed in 1908, which he designed in association with Coombs.[2]