Charles E. Chowins (1856-1922), Superintendent-Architect
Charles E. Chowins was born in 1856 in England. In 1896, at forty years of age, Chowins joined the University of Nebraska staff as an assistant in the engineering laboratory and wood shops. Eventually, Chowins began supervising the construction of the 1899 annex to Grant Memorial Hall, becoming the University's Superintendent of Construction, Grounds, and Buildings in 1905. He held this position until 1921, whereupon he became primarily responsible for the architectural work involving alterations of existing buildings. Chowin played an important role in the development of the campus during its rapid expansion period in the early 20th century, his greatest architectural contribution being the Plant Industry Building on the East Campus Mall. Chowins died in 1922, at age 66, while recovering from surgery.[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
1886: contractor & builder, Lincoln, Nebraska.[b]
1887-1892: contractor, Lincoln, Nebraska.
1896: construction foreman, Lincoln, Nebraska.[2]
1897: engineer, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska.
1898-1899: mechanic, University of Nebraska.
1899-1905: construction superintendent, University of Nebraska, Lincoln [1]
1900-1903: instructor, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska.
1905-1921: Superintendant of Construction, Grounds & Buildings, University of Nebraska, Lincoln [1][c]
1921-1922: Superintendant of Construction, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska.[2]
Buildings & Projects
Dated
Foundation replacement (1896), University Hall, Lincoln, Nebraska.[2][a]
Machinery Hall, aka Chemurgy Bldg (1905), University of Nebraska-Lincoln, East Campus, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1]
Plant Industry Building (1912-1913), University of Nebraska-Lincoln, East Campus, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1][2]
Horse Barn, aka Judging Pavilion (1915), University of Nebraska-Lincoln, East Campus, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1][2]
Tractor Testing Lab (1919),University of Nebraska-Lincoln, East Campus, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1]
Preliminary sketch plans (1922), Memorial Stadium, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska.[2]
Beef Cattle Barn (1923), University of Nebraska-Lincoln, East Campus, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1]
Undated
Heating Plant (n.d.), University of Nebraska East Campus, Lincoln, Nebraska.[2]
Dairy Barn (n.d.), extension campus [?], North Platte, Nebraska.[2]
Notes
a. Construction foreman for this project.[2]
b. First directory listing in Lincoln, Nebraska.
c. The Lincoln City Directory begins listing him as Superintendant of Construction in 1904.
References
1. Kay Logan Peters, “Charles Chowins, Architect,” An Architectural Tour of Historic UNL, accessed December 7, 2010, < http://historicbuildings.unl.edu/people.php?peopleID=22&cid=14>
2. “Chowins, Veteran University Supt. Dead At His Home: Member of Mechanical Engineering Staff Dies After Operation,” Lincoln Star (June 17, 1922), 1.
3. Lincoln Star (June 18, 1922), 2.
Page Citation
D. Murphy, “Charles E. Chowins (1856-1922), Superintendent-Architect,” in David Murphy, Edward F. Zimmer, and Lynn Meyer, comps. Place Makers of Nebraska: The Architects. Lincoln: Nebraska State Historical Society, December 7, 2010. http://www.e-nebraskahistory.org/index.php?title=Place_Makers_of_Nebraska:_The_Architects Accessed, April 20, 2024.
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