Ferdinand Comstock Fiske (1856-1930), Architect
Ferdinand Fiske was born in Ellisburg, New York in 1856, but raised in Maquoketa, Iowa, where he attended high school.[1][5][27] Fiske studied architecture at Cornell University from 1878-1880, but did not complete his degree.[1][5][27] He worked as a draftsman for, then in 1886 partnered with George M. Goodwin as Goodwin & Fiske in Minneapolis. That same year Fiske married Katherine Burgess at West Winfield, New York.[28][g] They relocated to Lincoln, Nebraska in 1887.[1] During the economic depression of the 1890s, Fiske relocated to Saint Louis, Missouri in 1895, then to Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 1897-1902, before returning to practice in Lincoln for nearly three more decades.[39][40][i][k]
Fiske was senior partner in a series of firms during his forty years in Lincoln. He spent seven years as the architect of the Lincoln Board of Education.[7] He was a charter member of the Lincoln Country Club, the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, and the First Plymouth Congregational Church.[7] Ferdinand and Katherine had one daughter. He died January 26, 1930 at age 72.[7][27]
This page is a contribution to the publication, Place Makers of Nebraska: The Architects. See the Format and contents of Nebraska architect entries page for more information on the compilation and page organization.
Contents
Compiled Nebraska Directory Listings
Lincoln, Nebraska, 1890-1895, 1911-1913, 1915, 1926-1930
Educational & Professional Associations
1878-1880: architecture student at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.[5]
1884-1885: draftsman for George M. Goodwin, Minneapolis, Minnesota.[29][h]
1886: architect and partner, Goodwin & Fiske, Minneapolis, Minnesota.[1]
1887: architect, Minneapolis, Minnesota.[29][h]
1887: architect, Lincoln, Nebraska.
1888-1889: architect and partner, Fiske & Peters, Architects, Lincoln, Nebraska.
1902: architect and partner, Dieman & Fiske, Lincoln, Nebraska.
1903-1910: architect and partner, Fiske & Dieman, Architects, Lincoln, Nebraska.
ca. 1905: architect and partner, Fiske, Dieman & Meginnis, Architects, Lincoln, Nebraska.
1913-1914: architect and partner, Fiske & Miller, Architects, Lincoln, Nebraska.
1915-1924: architect and partner, Fiske & Meginnis, Architects, Lincoln, Nebraska.
1925: architect and partner, Fiske, Meginnis & Schaumberg, Architects, Lincoln, Nebraska.
Other Associations
1910-1913: employed Walter F. Wilson (1892-1970), Architect, as part-time draftsman.
Buildings & Projects
1884-1887 (Minneapolis)
F. C. Fiske was listed in Minneapolis city directories from 1884 to 1887, first as a draftsman for architect George M. Goodwin, then in 1886 as a partner in Goodwin & Fiske. Goodwin and Fiske appear to have practiced separately in 1887, before Fiske relocated to Lincoln and Goodwin shifted to working for an architectural magazine in Minneapolis. Little is known of Goodwin's work as an architect or the partnership's output, although later accounts of Fiske's experience point to his beginnings in Minneapolis, and one source points to the large warehouse cited below.[h][i]
Fidelity Warehouse (1887), 322-326 Third Avenue North, Minneapolis, Minnesota.[36][37][38[j]
1887-1895
Fiske is listed in Lincoln directories as partnering with G. W. Peters in 1888 and 1889, but none of their work of those years has been found that is credited to the partnership's name, so each man's projects are listed one their own page. Fiske accomplished a major body of work in his early years in Lincoln including churches, residences from single-family homes to rowhouses, commercial buildings, and schools. He was contracted to design a high school by the Lincoln school board, but the $100,000 bond issue approved for that project was declared invalid in 1895, perhaps contributing to Fiske's decision to seek work elsewhere, first in Saint Louis and then in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. A lawsuit between Fiske and the Lincoln school board for his fee for the high school design was settled in Fiske's favor in 1900, and after his return to Lincoln he had major commissions for public school buildings.
Lyman Terrace (1889-1890), 1111-1119 H, Lincoln, Nebraska.[9][10] (LC13:C08-031)
A. Hurlbut house (1890), 16th & G, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1][9]
YMCA Building (1890), 13th & M, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1][9]
Brace Block (1890), 15th & O, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1][7][9]
Second Presbyterian Church (1890), East Lincoln, Nebraska.[1][9]
William Barr doublehouse (1890), 10th & H, Lincoln, Nebraska.[9]
F. A. Korsmeyer house (1890), 1840 E St, Lincoln, Nebraska.[9][10] (LC13:D07-0028)
C. H. Imhoff house (1890), D near 19th, Lincoln, Nebraska.[9]
Mrs. E. Flick doublehouse (1890), F & (13th/18th?), Lincoln, Nebraska.[9]
Barr & Barnes Terrace (1890-1891), 627-631-635-643 S 11th, Lincoln, Nebraska.[9][10] (LC13:C08-027)
Barnes-Walsh Apartment House (1891), 11th & H, Lincoln (LC13-103 (Deed Res.)
Sanitarium of the Lincoln Sulpho-Saline Bath Company (1892), Lincoln, Nebraska.[6]
David & Jeanette Mansion (from 1900 served as the governor's mansion), (c.a. 1892) 15th & H St., Lincoln, Nebraska. [12]
Yates House (ca. 1893), 720 S. 16th, Lincoln, Nebraska.[10] (LC13:D07-0001)
Latta Office Building (1893), Lincoln, Nebraska.[1][12]
1895-1897 (Saint Louis)
Fiske's sojourn to Saint Louis in search of work apparently did not meet his expectations. It is uncertain whether one mentioned project resulted in a completed building.
1897-1902 (Cedar Rapids, Iowa)
Fiske was reported as relocated to Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 1897, but it was his partnering with local architect Charles A. Dieman around 1901 that appears to have boosted both men into a very productive decade of work, resulting in them operating a dual-location practice in Cedar Rapids and Lincoln until 1910.
1902-1910
Fiske & Dieman years
Orlo Flats (ca. 1905), 505 S 14th, Lincoln, Nebraska.[c] (LC13:C08-023)
F.A. Saffold/C.D. Traphagan House (1908), 1908 C, Lincoln, Nebraska.[10][b] (LC13:D07-0511)
Frank M. Spalding House (1909), 2221 Sheridan Blvd, Lincoln, Nebraska.[10][b] (LC13:D05-463)
Ferdinand C. Fiske House (1909), 1600 S. 21st, Lincoln, Nebraska.[b] (LC13:D06-0667)
Arthur C. Ziemer House (1909-1910), 2030 Euclid, Lincoln, Nebraska.[8][10][b] (LC13:D06-0002)
1910-1913
solo practice
Chancellor Samuel Avery House (1910), 2001 Washington, Lincoln, Nebraska.[b] (LC13:D06-0566)
Charles Stuart house (1910), 1830 C St., Lincoln, Nebraska.[10][b] (LC13:D07-027)
Stuart Aunties House (1911), 1935 D, Lincoln, Nebraska.[10][17] (LC13:D07-0043)
Faith Methodist Church (1911), 27th & R St, Lincoln, Nebraska.[15]
Hall Bungalow (1911), 2115 Garfield, Lincoln, Nebraska.[16]
Hawes House (1911), 1511 D St., Lincoln, Nebraska.[18]
Hauptman House (1911), 1655 S. 23rd, Lincoln, Nebraska.[19]
F. Fiske House (1911), 2115 Garfield, Lincoln, Nebraska. (LC13:D06-0668)
Hildreth-Grainger House (1912), 2105 B St., Lincoln, Nebraska.[10] (LC13:D07-0611)
J. F. Hutchins House (1912), 2120 B St., Lincoln, Nebraska.[10] (LC13:D07-0575)
E. Steckley House (1912), 1900 Pepper, Lincoln, Nebraska.[21] (LC13:D06-0253)
Hutchins-Foster House (1912), 2120 B St., Lincoln, Nebraska.[20]
Lincoln Drug Company Warehouse/APOT (1912), 140 N. 8th, Lincoln, Nebraska. (LC13:C09-087)
1913-1915
Fiske & Miller with Jesse Boaz Miller
Lincoln Telephone Company Building (1913), 1342 M. Lincoln, Nebraska.[11][d]
H.E. Sidles House (1913), 2110 A St., Lincoln, Nebraska.[22][d]
Harry E. Sidles house (1913-1915), 2120 A St, Lincoln, Nebraska.[4][10][d] (LC13:D07-0625)
1915-1924
Fiske & Meginnis
George R.Whitney (Whitney-Stephenson-Merritt) house (1916-1917), 1965 B St, Lincoln, Nebraska.[10][e] (LC13:D07-0061)
Meeker-Anderson House (1916), 1950 C St., Lincoln, Nebraska.[10][e] (LC13:D07-0507)
Auld Public Library (1917-1918), Red Cloud, Webster County, Nebraska.[22][e]
Dr. Slattery House (1921), 4900 N. 14th St., Lincoln, Nebraska.[24][e]
Lincoln Country Club house (1922-1923), Lincoln, Nebraska.[25][e]
Wagner & Walt Store & Apartments (1923), 901 S. 13th St., Lincoln, Nebraska.[26][e]
1924-1925
Fiske, Meginnis & Schaumberg
1926-1930
Solo practice
Alpha Omicron Pi House (1926), 1541 S St., Lincoln, Nebraska.[3][10] (LC13:D09- 520)
Herpolsheimer House (1928), 2330 Van Dorn, Lincoln, Nebraska. (LC13:D05-565)
Skiles-Beynon House (1928), 2310 Woodscrest Ave., Lincoln, Nebraska. (LC13:D05-551)
Undated
Alice Hawes house (n.d.), 1511 D, Lincoln, Nebraska. (LC13:D07-0348)
Hall House (n.d.), 2025 S. 26th, Lincoln, Nebraska. (LC13:D06-0155)
J. A. Buckstaff house (n.d.), 17th & G, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1]
Brownell Block (n.d.), 137 S. 11th, Lincoln, Nebraska.[2]
Universalist Church (n.d.), Lincoln, Nebraska.[1]
Lincoln Country Club Building (n.d.), Lincoln, Nebraska.[7]
City National Bank (n.d.), York, Nebraska.[11]
Prescott School (n.d.), Lincoln, Nebraska.[7]
Agriculture Hall (n.d.), University of Nebraska East Campus, Lincoln, Nebraska.[14]
Home Economics Building (n.d.), University of Nebraska East Campus, Lincoln, Nebraska.[14]
Notes
a. Projects in 1902 were done on behalf of the partnership Dieman & Fiske.
b. Projects from 1903 to 1910 were done on behalf of the partnership Fiske & Dieman.
c. Projects in 1905 were done on behalf of the partnership Fiske, Dieman & Meginnis.
d. Projects from 1913-1914 were done on behalf of the partnership Fiske & Miller.
e. Projects from 1915 to 1924 were done on behalf of the partnership Fiske & Meginnis.
f. Projects in 1925 were done on behalf of the partnership Fiske, Meginnis & Schaumberg.
g. Saint Paul Globe reported on June 15, 1886 that "Invitations are out announcing the marriage of Fred C. Fiske of Goodwin & Fiske, architects of this City, to Miss Kate Burgess, at West Winfield, N.Y., June 23. After July 15 Mr. and Mrs. Fiske will be at home at 1021 First avenue north."[28]
h. George M. Goodwin (1846-1892) was a native of Maine who first appeared in the Minneapolis city directories in 1878, listed as an architect. The 1880 U. S. Census found architect Goodwin and his wife "Rosalie" boarding in Minneapolis in the household of William and Martha Pattee. Fiske was associated with Goodwin in 1884 and 1885 as a draftsman. The 1886 Minneapolis directory is the only year to list the firm of Goodwin & Fiske, architects. Goodwin was also on the board of directors of the Western Association of Architects in 1886. [33] In 1887 Goodwin and Fiske were listed as practicing separately, at different Minneapolis addresses. Rose Pattee Goodwin died in 1887 at age 36 and was interred in Monroe, Maine. G. M. Goodwin was listed as the secretary/treasurer of the Minneapolis-based Northwestern Architect and Improvement Record magazine from 1888-1890. He died in Boston in 1892 at age 46 and was also interred at Monroe, Maine.[29][30][31][32]
i. An 1893 Lincoln, Nebraska newspaper noted of Fiske: "Prior to his coming to Lincoln as a member of the firm of Goodwin & Fiske he designed some of the finest business and residence buildings in Minneapolis."[34] Improvement Bulletin in 1897 reported "F. C. Fiske, the architect who has recently located at Cedar Rapids, Ia., was formerly in Minneapolis, a member of the well known firm of Goodwin & Fiske."[35] When he partnered with Cedar Rapids architect Charles A. Dieman, a description in 1901 of their credentials cited "an experience of eighteen years in this profession," suggesting a starting point of 1883 (about the time Fiske began work in Minneapolis in Goodwin's office), and one Minneapolis building is included among the nineteen projects identified, the "Weaver Storage house."[36] Nine Lincoln projects were also cited.
j. Fidelity Warehouse at 322-326 Third Avenue North in Minneapolis was a five-story brick and stone warehouse built for the Weaver brothers in 1887, for an estimated $20,000.[37] It was operated as "Fidelity Warehouse" by Weaver & Stockwell, who were identified in Minneapolis directories as Homer M. and J. Dell Weaver and S. A. Stockwell.[38]
k. Nebraska State Journal reported in 1895 that Fiske was moving to St. Louis due to the scarcity of building activity in Lincoln. He was listed as an architect in the St. Louis city directory of 1897. Improvement Bulletin noted in 1898 that Fiske "has removed from Lincoln, Neb., to Cedar Rapids, Ia. Mr. Fiske deigned man prominent buildings at Lincoln, and was the architect for the school board for some time." That source adds the note "He was in the office of Architect Jenney, of Chicago, at one time," a connection nowhere else mentioned.[39][40]
References
1. Pen and Sunlight Sketches of Lincoln (ca. 1890s), 95.
2. Lincoln City Directory, 1894, 5.
3. Nebraska State Journal (January 16, 1927), 11G.
4. Nebraska State Journal (May 2, 1915), 1:10.
5. Archives, Cornell University Libraries: register of his studies; courses available, 1879-80. (Architect's file)
6. Omaha Excelsior (September 24, 1892), 1 (Article, drawing and floor plans).
7. “Fiske Rites To Be Wednesday,” Lincoln Star (January 27, 1930), 1, 4; and obituary, 4:3.
8. City of Lincoln, Building Permit 3486.
9. “F. C. Fiske, Architect; Some of our 1890 buildings,” Daily Nebraska State Journal (April 13, 1891), 4:6.
10. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
11. Thomas Lee Kaspar, comp. Inventory of architectural records in the archives of Davis Fenton Stange Darling, Architects, Lincoln, Nebraska. 1996. Nebraska State Historical Society, RG3748, Box 16.
12. “F.C. Fiske, Architect, Rooms 132, 133, 134 Burr Block,” Lincoln Daily Call (January 1, 1893), 8:4-5
13. Lincoln Daily Call (April 4, 1893) 16:3-4.
14. Kay Logan-Peters, Preservation Association of Lincoln, Brownbag Lecture Series, Museum of Nebraska History (June 12, 2001).
15. Historic & Architectural Survey of Lincoln, Nebraska (1976), 37.
16. City of Lincoln, Building Permit No. 4175.
17. City of Lincoln, Building Permit No. 4130.
18. City of Lincoln, Building Permit No. 4080.
19. City of Lincoln, Building Permit No. 4034.
20. “No. 84 Brick & Stucco House Fiske & Meginnis,” Sunday State Journal (April 25, 1915).
21. “No. 90 Brick & Stucco House Fiske & Meginnis,” Sunday State Journal (July 4, 1915).
22. “No. 96 H.E. Sidles Residence Fiske & Meginnis,” Sunday State Journal (May 2, 1915).
23. Teresa Young, library director. NRHP nomination form (April 1993). NeHBS#WT07-096
24. “New Residence of Dr. W.H. Slattery,” Sunday State Journal (January 8, 1922).
25. “New Home of Lincoln Country Club Nears Completion (photo labeled Fiske & Meginnis, Archts),” Lincoln State Journal (January 7, 1923).
26. City of Lincoln, Building Permit No. 11744 (September 1923).
27. “Funeral Tribute is Paid F.C. Fiske as Lover of Beautiful,” Lincoln Star (January 30, 1930), 3.
28. Saint Paul Globe (June 15, 1886), 3.
29. Minneapolis City Directory, 1884-1890.
30. 1880 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?_phsrc=KcQ744&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true&indiv=1&db=1880usfedcen&gss=angs-d&new=1&rank=1&msT=1&gsfn=George%20M&gsfn_x=0&gsln=Goodwin&gsln_x=0&msypn__ftp=Minneapolis,%20Hennepin,%20Minnesota,%20USA&msypn=46194&msypn_PInfo=8-%7C0%7C1652393%7C0%7C2%7C0%7C26%7C0%7C1345%7C46194%7C0%7C0%7C&msbdy_x=1&msbdp=2&MSAV=0&msbdy=1846&cp=0&catbucket=rstp&pcat=35&fh=0&h=24127028&recoff=&ml_rpos=1 Accessed January 15, 2017.
31. "Find A Grave" website, s. v George M. Goodwin (or Rose Pattee Goodwin). http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=48358653&ref=acom Accessed January 15, 2017.
32. Ancestry.com. Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011; and Massachusetts, Death Records, 1841-1915 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013.
33. Inland Architect (December 1886), VIII:8, 84.
34. "F. C. Fiske, Architect, Rooms 132, 133, 134 Burr Block" in Lincoln Daily Call (January 1, 1893).
35. Improvement Bulletin (February 5, 1897), XVII:9, 7.
36. "Deiman & Fisk.[sic]" in Cedar Rapids Republican (March 24, 1901), 20.
37. (Minneapolis) Star Tribune (January 1, 1888), 26.
38. (Minneapolis) Star Tribune (September 28, 1887), 2.
39. Nebraska State Journal (February 24, 1895).
40. Improvement Bulletin (January 22, 1898), XVII:8, 8.
Page Citation
E. F. Zimmer and D. Murphy, “Ferdinand Comstock Fiske (1856-1930), Architect,” in David Murphy, Edward F. Zimmer, and Lynn Meyer, comps. Place Makers of Nebraska: The Architects. Lincoln: Nebraska State Historical Society, January 16, 2017. http://www.e-nebraskahistory.org/index.php?title=Place_Makers_of_Nebraska:_The_Architects Accessed, May 14, 2024.
Contact the Nebraska State Historic Preservation Office with questions or comments concerning this page, including any problems you may have with broken links (see, however, the Disclaimers link at the bottom of this page). Please provide the URL to this page with your inquiry.
