John Bailey McElfatrick (1826-1906), Architect
DBA: J.B. McElfatrick
John Bailey McElfatrick was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in 1826. He studied under his father, Edward McElfatrick, the trades of architecture and engineering. By 1851, he was practicing independently. He worked in Pennsylvania as well as cities further west, such as Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago, and St. Louis. He began building theatres in 1855, which was the start to a specialized career in that some deemed influential enough to call him "The Father of American Theatres." By the 1880s, his sons William and John Morgan had joined his company. McElfatrick died in 1906.[1]
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
Educational & Professional Associations
Buildings & Projects
Notes
References
1. Sandra L. Tatman, "McElfatrick, John Bailey (1826-1906)", Philadelphia Architects and Buildings (2017). Accessed through Philadelphiabuildings.org on January 2, 2017. https://www.philadelphiabuildings.org/pab/app/ar_display.cfm/23155
2. "McElfatrick, John Bailey", Biographical Dictionary of Architects in Canada, n.d. Accessed on January 2, 2017. http://dictionaryofarchitectsincanada.org/node/2195
Page Citation
D. Murphy, “John Bailey McElfatrick (1826-1906), Architect,” in David Murphy, Edward F. Zimmer, and Lynn Meyer, comps. Place Makers of Nebraska: The Architects. Lincoln: Nebraska State Historical Society, January 2, 2017. http://www.e-nebraskahistory.org/index.php?title=Place_Makers_of_Nebraska:_The_Architects Accessed, December 5, 2025.
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