George G. Ridgway (1868-1963), Builder & Architect
George G. Ridgway was born in Lafayette, Illinois in 1867. He was enumerated in the 1900 U. S. Census in Peoria, Illinois, as a 32-year-old single man, lodging in a boarding house, and working as a "Stair Builder."[1] He moved to Lincoln by 1901 and was active in Lincoln as a residential builder and contractor until 1936, often producing distinctively designed buildings. In 1911 he married Mable D. ("Daisy") Shaver and they had four children, all born in Nebraska.[2][3][a] In the late 1920s, city directories listed Ridgway's occupation as "architect" and the 1930 U. S. Census listed his occupation as "Architecture" and his industry as "Buildings."[4] A few of his well-drawn plans have been found. The family relocated to Spokane, Washington, around 1937, where Ridgway continued to design and build residences. At age 71, he was listed in the 1940 census as a "carpenter."[5] He died at 95 years old in Spokane in 1963, where his obituary identified him as "a retired architect."[6][7][g]
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 1901-1936
Educational & Professional Associations
Buildings & Projects
Elias Dial House (1904), 2033 South 16th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[9][10][b] City of Lincoln Landmark
Wilson House (1904), 1236 C Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[11] In Everett Landmark District
"Frame cottage" for Mrs. J. H. Polk (1904), 2424 Washington Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.{12]
Residence for Robert R. Gray (1905), 2618 K Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[13]
Residence (1906), 2412 R Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[14] In Hawley Landmark District
Truell-Meyers House (1906), 420 North 24th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[15] In Hawley Landmark District
Thurn-Thurtle House (1907), 611 North 26th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[16] In Hawley Landmark District
C. Nilson House (1907), 1234 A Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[17]
Residence (1907), 1620 South Street, Lincoln, Nebraska. Demolished.[18]
Rental house for E. Fleming (1907-1908), 619 North 26th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[19] In Hawley Landmark District
Maggie H. & Ellsworth Fleming residence (1907-1908), 605 North 26th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[20] In Hawley Landmark District
Fred A. Truell House (1908), 2400 R St., Lincoln, Nebraska.[21] (LC13:D09-376) In Hawley Landmark District
Henry C. Luckey House (1908), southeast corner of 40th and Holdrege Streets, University Place (later 4013 Holdrege, Lincoln), Nebraska. Demolished.[22]
House (1908), 1510 D Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[23]
House (1908), 1751 South 26th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[24]
House (1908), 2915 R Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[25]
Charles Fordyce House (1909), 1921 C Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[26] In Mount Emerald National Register (& Lincoln Landmark) District
A house for Mrs. C. A. Diamond (1909), 320 North 26th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[27]
A house for Mrs. C. A. Diamond (1909), 245 North 25th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[28]
D. E. Green house (1910), 2025 South 18th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[29]
Mary C. Kitchen Duplex (1910), 1017-1019 South 17th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[30][31][c]
The Misses Wilson House (1913), 2129 Euclid Avenue, Lincoln, Nebraska.[32][33]
Edwin Leary House (1914), 2217-2221 O Street, Lincoln, Nebraska. Demolished.[34]
Sonata Apartments (1915), 821 S. 18th St., Lincoln, Nebraska.[35][36][d] (LC13:D07-007) Listed on the National Register of Historic Places with the Mount Emerald & Capitol Additions Historic Residential District.
Ponce de Leon Apartments (1915), 1000-1006 E Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[40] In Everett Landmark District.
Alice Lauren (later William E. Bell) House (1919), 2456 Park Avenue, Lincoln, Nebraska.[37] (LC13:D05-259)
Eva L. & Robert Gray Residence (1919), 2644 A Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[42][43]
Cora Liston House (1920), 2834 Stratford Avenue, Lincoln, Nebraska.[44][f] Listed on National Register of Historic Places within the Boulevards Historic District.
R. L. Avery House (1920), 2828 Stratford Avenue, Lincoln, Nebraska.[45] Listed on National Register of Historic Places within the Boulevards Historic District.
Mrs. Bird Critchfield House (1920), 339 South 29th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[46][f] In East Lincoln/Elm Park Lincoln Landmark District.
Stephen Jelinek house (1922), 1215 S. 17th St., Lincoln, Nebraska.[38][39] (LC13:D07-399)
J.M. Snowden House (1922), 2143 Lake Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[41] (LC13:D05-447)
R. J. Hanna (a.k.a. Bennett) House (1923), 2135 Lake Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[47] (LC13:D05-446)
Remodeling of "Stucco house" (1923), 1345 South 21st Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[49]
Minnie Salisbury House and Carriage Barn (1924), 2200 Lake Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[48] (LC13:D05-379)
Underhill (a.k.a. "Minuet") Apartments (1925), 805 S. 18th St., Lincoln, Nebraska.[8][36] (LC13:D07-006) Listed on the National Register of Historic Places with the Mount Emerald & Capitol Additions Historic Residential District.
Notes
a. Mable (nee Shaver) Ridgway was born in ________ in 1890?. Her father George Shaver moved into College View, Nebraska in 1900 and was a leading citizen, serving as mayor and member of the school Board.
b. The Dial House was designated as a City of Lincoln Landmark in 1988 as an unusual hybrid Queen Anne/Neo-classical cottage.[10]
c. The Kitchen Duplex is a very distinctive, Prairie School-influenced design. The building permit lists Ridgway as both builder and architect, perhaps the first project on which he claimed the role of "architect."[30][31]
d. In 1915 University of Nebraska music professor Stephen Jelinek had Ridgway design and build 821 South 18th Street, naming it "The Sonata." Frank Underhill acquired the Sonata in 1919 and engaged Ridgway to design and built a complimentary structure adjacent to the north, which he titled "The Minuet."[36]
e. The Jelinek house is a rare instance in which Ridgway was identified (on the building permit application) as the architect for a project built by another contractor.[38[39]
f. Ridgway built two very similar houses in the spring and summer of 1920 at 2834 Stratford Avenue (the NW corner of Stratford Avenue and Bradfield Drive) in the SHeridan Park area, and at 339 South 29th Street in the Woods Park neighborhood. SEE the Liston and Critchfield Houses above.
g. George Ridgway is found in federal census in Illinois in 1900; Nebraska in 1910, 1920, and 1930; and in Spokane, Washington in 1940 and 1950.
References
1. Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census, s.v. "Geprge G. Ridgway," [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004.
2. "Marriage Licenses...George F, [sic] Ridgway, Lincoln...38 [and] Miss Daisy Shaver, College View..23," Lincoln (Nebraska) Star (June 1, 1911), 2.
3. Ancestry.com. U.S., Find a Grave Index, 1600s-Current, s.v. "Mable Daisy Ridgway," [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.
4. Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census, s.v. "Daisy Ridgway," [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2002.
5. Ancestry.com. 1940 United States Federal Census, s.v. "George G. Ridgway," [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.
6. Ancestry.com. U.S., Find a Grave Index, 1600s-Current, s.v. "George G. Ridgway," [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.
7. "George G. Ridgway," Spokane (Washington) Chronicle (February 14, 1963), 5.
8. City of Lincoln Building Permit #13779, issued 1925, with associated application and plans by Ridgway.
9. City of Lincoln Building Permit #17, issued July 19, 1904.
10. SEE Lincoln/Lancaster County Planning Dept. website, accessed January 20, 2023 at https://www.lincoln.ne.gov/City/Departments/Planning-Department/Long-Range-Planning/Historic-Preservation/Historic-Designations?transfer=314fc1c0-7291-45a6-9569-f2d541a598dd
11. City of Lincoln Building Permit #82, issued September 30, 1904; $3,000 estimated cost of construction.
12. City of Lincoln Building Permit #118, issued October 26, 1904.
13. City of Lincoln Building Permit #495, issued 1905; $2,200 estimated cost of construction.
14. City of Lincoln Building Permit #858, issued April 6, 1906.
15. City of Lincoln Building Permit #1303, issued October 31, 1906; $2,000 estimated cost of construction.
16. City of Lincoln Building Permit #1671, issued April 20, 1907; $2150 estimated cost of construction.
17. City of Lincoln Building Permit #1767, issued May 22, 1907; $3,000 estimated cost of construction.
18. City of Lincoln Building Permit #2154, issued 1907.
19. City of Lincoln Building Permit #2187, issued December 13, 1907; $2,450 estimated cost of construction.
20. City of Lincoln Building Permit #2188, issued December 13, 1907; $4,000 estimated cost of construction.
21. City of Lincoln Building Permit #2750, issued October 29, 1908; $2,400 estimated cost of construction.
22. Henry Carl Luckey, 85 American Years: Memoirs of a Nebraska Congressman (New York: Exposition Press, Inc., 1955).
23. City of Lincoln Building Permit #2329, issued March 21, 1908.
24. City of Lincoln Building Permit #2420, issued May 1, 1908.
25. City of Lincoln Building Permit #2706, issued October 6, 1908.
26. Ed Zimmer, Walking the Near South Neighborhood: Volume 1 (Near South Neighborhood Association: Lincoln, Nebraska, 2019), 85.
27. City of Lincoln Building Permit #3303, issued August 1909.
28. City of Lincoln Building Permit #3304, issued August 18, 1909.
29. City of Lincoln Building Permit #3583, issued March 7, 1910. $3,000 estimated cost of construction.
30. City of Lincoln Building Permit #3951, issued 1910; $4,600 cost of construction, listing Ridgway as builder and architect.
31. Ed Zimmer, Walking the Near South Neighborhood: Volume 1 (Near South Neighborhood Association: Lincoln, Nebraska, 2019), 24.
32. City of Lincoln Building Permit #5175, issued 1913.
33. Ed Zimmer, Walking the Near South Neighborhood: Volume 3 (Near South Neighborhood Association: Lincoln, Nebraska, 2021), 112-113.
34. City of Lincoln Building Permit #5358, issued 1914.
35. City of Lincoln Building Permit #5860, issued March 22, 1915; Ridgway plan set included with application.
36. Ed Zimmer, Walking the Near South Neighborhood: Volume 1 (Near South Neighborhood Association: Lincoln, Nebraska, 2019), 52-53.
37. City of Lincoln Building Permit #8046, issued July 18, 1919.
38. City of Lincoln Building Permit #10096, issued May 29, 1922; William Seng, builder; George Ridgway, architect.
39. Ed Zimmer, Walking the Near South Neighborhood: Volume 1 (Near South Neighborhood Association: Lincoln, Nebraska, 2019), 105.
40. City of Lincoln Building Permit #6008, issued May 13, 1915.
41. City of Lincoln Building Permit #10441, issued September 15, 1922.
42. City of Lincoln Building Permit #7954, issued 1919.
43. Ed Zimmer, Walking the Near South Neighborhood: Volume 2 (Near South Neighborhood Association: Lincoln, Nebraska, 2020), 22.
44. City of Lincoln Building Permit #8431, issued March 17, 1920; $7,500 estimated cost of construction.
45. City of Lincoln Building Permit #8435, issued March 18, 1920; $8,500 estimated cost of construction.
46. City of Lincoln Building Permit #8642, issued July 2, 1920.
47. City of Lincoln Building Permit #10741, issued February 5, 1923.
48. City of Lincoln Building Permits #12151, issued March 17, 1924; and #12487, issued June 4, 1924.
49. City of Lincoln Building Permits #11122 and #11123, issued May 10, 1923.
50. "George W. Shaver, College View, Dies," Evening State Journal (Lincoln, Nebraska) (February 27, 1931), 1 (with portrait).
Page Citation
E. F. Zimmer & D. Murphy, “George G. Ridgway (1868-1963), Builder & Architect,” in David Murphy, Edward F. Zimmer, and Lynn Meyer, comps. Place Makers of Nebraska: The Architects. Lincoln: Nebraska State Historical Society, January 23, 2023. http://www.e-nebraskahistory.org/index.php?title=Place_Makers_of_Nebraska:_The_Architects Accessed, October 31, 2024.
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