Charles W. Bates (1878–1929) was an American architect who practiced primarily in Wheeling, West Virginia, and was one of the region's most successful architects. He mostly specialized in commercial and school buildings in the north Ohio River valley.
Born December 27, 1878, in Wheeling, Bates first attended the local public schools, then completed his education at the Linsly Military Institute.Quinn, Kate. "The Men Who Built Wheeling" . 2009. He studied architecture and engineering at the Armour Institute of Technology, in Chicago. In Chicago, he worked for D. H. Burnham & Company and Horatio R. Wilson. He then went to Pittsburgh, where he worked for several more architects before taking a job in the architectural department of the Pennsylvania Railroad. Bates then went abroad, returning in 1907. Upon his return, he established the firm of Rudolph & Bates with A. W. Rudolph in Altoona, central Pennsylvania."The Work of Charles W. Bates". Ohio Architect, Engineer, and Builder Sept. 1909: 19. This firm was dissolved a year later and Bates returned to Wheeling, where he remained for the rest of his life and career.
Bates was one of the region's leading architects, with his chief local competitor being the older Frederick F. Faris. He designed many of the area's largest buildings, including four 10-story structures and the public library in Wheeling, and the high schools in a number of towns. Overviews of his work were published in 1909 and 1912."Mr. Charles W. Bates". Ohio Architect, Engineer, and Builder Nov. 1912: 19.
Selected works
1909 Rose Hill School, Monroe St, Bellaire, OhioEngineering Record 20 Feb. 1909: 50c.
1910 First United Presbyterian Church, 3358 Guernsey St, Bellaire, OhioAmerican Contractor 2 July 1910: 68. Edward F. Stifel House (Edemar), 1330 National Rd, Wheeling, West VirginiaEdemar NRHP Nomination, BI. 1992. Wheeling Public Library (Old), 2100 Market St, Wheeling, West VirginiaMunicipal Journal and Engineer 16 March 1910: 420.
1911 First Ward School, Belmont St, Bellaire, OhioIndustrial World 23 Oct. 1911: 1301. Westover School, East St, Westover, West VirginiaAmerican Architect 28 June 1911: 14.
1912 Cairo School, School St, Cairo, West VirginiaSchool Board Journal March 1912: 50. Hawley Building, 1025 Main St, Wheeling, West VirginiaIndustrial World 1 April 1912: 419.
1913 Neuralgyline Building, 88 19th St, Wheeling, West VirginiaTradesman 26 June 1913: 52. Rodewig Building, 3127 Belmont St, Bellaire, OhioAmerican Contractor 12 July 1913: 61.
1914 National Bank of West Virginia Building, 1201 Main St, Wheeling, West VirginiaEngineering and Contracting 10 June 1914: 56. Morgantown High School, 300 Spruce St, Morgantown, West Virginia (demolished)Electrical World 22 Aug. 1914: 401. Peoples Savings Bank Building, 30 S 4th St, Martins Ferry, OhioSteel and Iron 26 Oct. 1914: 1334.
1915 Farmers and Merchants National Bank Building, 3195 Union St, Bellaire, OhioAmerican Contractor 26 June 1915: 72. Fenray Theatre, 21 S 4th St, Martins Ferry, Ohio (demolished)Construction Record 31 July 1915: 10.
1916 Claysville High School, Main St, Claysville, Pennsylvania (demolished)Construction Record 8 Jan. 1916: 10. First National Bank Building, 1388 Main St, Smithfield, OhioAmerican Contractor 8 April 1916: 17. German Savings Bank Building, 103 S 4th St, Martins Ferry, OhioAmerican Contractor 10 June 1916: 18.
1917 Elm Junior High School, 808 Elm St, Martins Ferry, Ohio (demolished)American Stone Trade 1 Sept. 1917: 43. Hoeveler Storage Warehouse, 750 S Millvale Ave, Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaAmerican Contractor 5 May 1917: 73. Point Pleasant High School, 1200 Main St, Point Pleasant, West VirginiaAmerican Contractor 19 May 1917: 65. Yorkville School, Market St, Yorkville, OhioEngineering News 25 Jan. 1917: 47.
1918 Miller Avenue School, 734 Miller Ave, Clairton, Pennsylvania (demolished)American Contractor 13 July 1918: 55. Moundsville High School, Tomlinson Ave, Moundsville, West Virginia (demolished)American Contractor 5 Jan. 1918: 46.
1919 Bank of Morgantown (Citizens) Building, 265 High St, Morgantown, West VirginiaAmerican Contractor 3 May 1919: 83. Wellsville High School, Center St, Wellsville, OhioLumber 8 Sept. 1919: 55.
1920 Harding High School, Vine St, Fairport Harbor, Ohio.Lumber 24 Nov. 1919: 54.
1921 12th Street Garage, 79-81 12th St, Wheeling, West VirginiaAmerican Machinist 24 Feb. 1921: 352h. Metropolitan Theatre, 371 High St, Morgantown, West VirginiaMetropolitan Theatre NRHP Nomination. 1984.
1922 Colson Hall, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West VirginiaManufacturers Record 23 Feb. 1922: 83. Riley Law Building, 45 14th St, Wheeling, West VirginiaEngineering News-Record 16 March 1922: 121. Charles R. Shreve High School, Hanover St, Martins Ferry, OhioAmerican Contractor 18 Feb. 1922: 61.
1923 Clairton High School, Waddell Ave, Clairton, Pennsylvania (highly altered)Engineering News-Record 1923: 168.
1924 Central Union Trust Building, 40 14th St, Wheeling, West VirginiaDuffy, Sean Patrick and Paul Rinkes. Then & Now: Wheeling. 2010.
1925 Bellaire High School, 35th St, Bellaire, OhioPokas, Betty. "Historical marker to be dedicated". http://www.timesleaderonline.com/. 14 May 2011.
1927 Pythian Theatre, 1025 Chapline St, Wheeling, West VirginiaEngineering News-Record 1927: 57.
1928 Cadiz High School, 440 E Market St, Cadiz, OhioIron Age 1928. Capitol Theatre, 1015 Main St, Wheeling, West Virginia
1929 Bridgeport High School, W Bennett St, Bridgeport, OhioIron Age 1929: 464.
References