Difference between revisions of "Moses N. Bair (1863-1934), Architect"

Revision as of 21:01, 29 December 2015

DBA: M. N. Bair

Born in Pennsylvania in April, 1863, Moses N. Bair practiced architecture for one year in Auburn, and for several years in Falls City, Nebraska before settling in Hastings.[3] He designed a number of public libraries throughout central Nebraska, including the 1909 Aurora Public Library.[1] Bair died in 1934, and is buried in Newberrytown, Pennsylvania.[5]

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.

Compiled Nebraska Directory Listings

Auburn, Nebraska, 1893

Falls City, Nebraska, 1894-1895, 1902-1903, 1907

Hastings, Nebraska, 1909-1913, 1915

Educational & Professional Associations

1893: architect, Auburn, Nebraska.

1894-1907: architect, Falls City, Nebraska.[3]

1909-1915: architect, Hastings, Nebraska.[4][a]

Buildings & Projects

Frontier Hotel (1898) for Alcova Hot Springs Co., Alcova, Wyoming.[7][b]

House for Sam Bayne (1898), Falls City, Nebraska.[8][c]

House for A. E. Maust (1899), Falls City, Nebraska.[9][d]

Plans for electric system (1899), Humboldt, Nebraska.[10][e]

Col. M. W. Harding house (1899), Humboldt, Nebraska.[11][f]

Saint Thomas Episcopal Church (1899), 1602 Harlan, Falls City, Nebraska.[12][g]

House for D. M. Taylor (1900), Morrill, Kansas.[13][h]

House for George F. Marburger (1900), Humboldt, Nebraska.[14][i]

Brick meat market (1900), Stella, Nebraska.[15][j]

School house (1900), Elk Creek, Nebraska.[16][k]

Store, lodge and flat building (1900), Dawson, Nebraska.[17][L]

Addition to his own house (1900), Falls City, Nebraska.[18][m]

Fixtures for a storeroom (1900), Falls City, Nebraska.[19][n]

Catholic church (1900), Salem, Nebraska.[20][o]

Store, lodge and office building for Samuel Wahl (1901), Falls City, Nebraska.[21][p]

House for Mrs. Jane Turner (1901), Falls City, Nebraska.[21][q]

House for John S. Crook (1901), Falls City, Nebraska.[22][r]

House for E. O. Lewis (1901), Falls City, Nebraska.[23][s]

Library and city hall building (1901), Falls City, Nebraska.[24][t]

House for Miss Margaret Steele (1901), Falls City, Nebraska. [25][u]

A. R. McMullen House (1904), Wayside Stock Farm, Stella vicinity, rural Richardson County, Nebraska.[6] (RH00-355)

Ralph A. Clark – McMullen farmhouse (1908), 718 Road, Stella vicinity, Richardson County, Nebraska. (RH01-011)

Sutton Public Library (1909), Sutton, Nebraska.[1] (CY12-000)

Aurora Public Library (1909), SE corner 12th & J Aurora, Nebraska.[1] (HM01-207)

United Brethren Church (1912), 1103 K St. Aurora, Nebraska.[2] (HM01-168) National Register narrative

Fullerton Public Library (1913-1914), 425 4th St. Fullerton, Nebraska. (NC02-001)

Gibbon Carnegie Public Library (1912-1913), NW Corner, 2nd and La Bar Gibbon, Nebraska.[1] (BF03-018)

Shelton Carnegie Public Library (1913-1914), 313 C Street Shelton, Nebraska. [1] (BF14-024)

Broken Bow Carnegie Library (1914-1915), 255 S 10th Ave. Broken Bow, Nebraska.[1][2] (CU05-061)

Gothenburg Carnegie Public Library (1914-1916), 1104 Lake, Gothenburg, Nebraska.[1][2] (DS06-006) National Register narrative

Benizer Public Library (1916), Merna, Nebraska.[1][26]

Notes

a. First available Hastings directory listing, 1909; last available listing, 1915. He was not listed in the 1920 directory nor the 1920 census.

b. Improvement Bulletin describes this project as: "Alcova, Wyo.--The Alcova Hot Springs Co. is having plans prepared by M. N. Bair, architect, of Falls City, Neb., for a Frontier hotel. It will be 44x60, two stories."[7]

c. Improvement Bulletin describes this project as: "Falls City, Neb.--Same Bayne has had plans prepared by M. N. Bair, architect, for a dwelling. Specifications: 2-story, frame, 30x52, shingled roof, cement plaster, hot water heat, hardwood finish, etc. Cost. $2,600."[8]

d. Improvement Bulletin describes this project as "Falls City, Neb.--A. E. Maust has had plans prepared by M. N. Bair, architect, for a 2-story frame dwelling, 30x40, to cost $1,200. Will have yellow pine flooring and finish and one bath."[9]

e. Improvement Bulletin describes this project as "Humboldt, Neb.--O. A. Cooper has bought the electric machinery of the council of Falls City and will put in a plant here. He will need poles, wires, converters and lights. M. N. Bair, architect, of Falls City, is preparing plans for the system."[10]

f. Improvement Bulletin describes this project as "Humboldt, Neb.--Col. M. W. Harding has plans, prepared by M. N. Bair, architect, of Falls City, Neb., for a 1-story frame dwelling, 39x56, with shingled roof, plate and d. s. glass, cement plasters, hot air plant, yellow pine flooring and finish, one bath, one grate and mantel, plumbing. Cost $3,000."[11]

g. Improvement Bulletin describes this project as "Falls City, Neb.--The Episcopal congregation has plans, prepared by M. N. Bair, architect, of Falls City, for a brick church. It will be 42x70, of Omaha pressed brick, Warrensburg, Mo., stone, shingled roof, battlement stone, art glass, cement plaster, hot air heat, yellow pine flooring, oak finish, decorating, electric light, screens, 200 seatings. Cost $4,000. Contract will be let Oct. 1. Address the architect only."[12]

h. Improvement Bulletin describes this project as "Morrill, Kan.--D. M. Taylor, of Falls City, Neb., has had plans prepared by M. N. Bair, architect of that city, for a 2-story frame dwelling to be erected here. It will be 30x40, with shingled roof, d. s. and plate glass, Agatite plaster, furnace heat, yellow pine flooring, oak finish, one bath, electric bells, plumbing, screens, storm sash, etc. Cost, $2,500. The contract will be let Mar. 15."[13]

i. Improvement Bulletin describes this project as "Humboldt, Neb.--M. N. Bair, architect, has prepared plans for a 1-story frame dwelling, 30x44, for Geo. F. Marburger. Will have d. s. glass, Agatite plaster, hot air heat, yellow pine flooring and finish, etc. Cost $2,000. Contract will be let April 15."[14]

j. Improvement Bulletin describes this project as "Stella, Neb.--John Reimers & Son will erect a 1-story brick meat market, 23x80, from plans by M. N. Bair, architect, of Falls City, Neb. Will be of vitrified brick, with gravel roof, plate and d. s. glass, cement plaster, yellow pine flooring, steel ceiling, etc. Cost $2,000. Chas Heinemann, contractor. Cost $2,000."[15]

k. Improvement Bulletin describes this project as "Elk Creek, Neb.--District No. 1 has had plans prepared by M. N. Bair, architect, of Falls City, Neb., for a 2-story frame school house, 36x65. There will be shingled roof, d. s. glass, Baker's plaster, furnace heat, yellow pine flooring and finish, etc. Cost $4,000. The contract will be let June 30."[16]

L. Improvement Bulletin describes this project as "Dawson, Neb.--M. N. Bair, architect, of Falls City, Neb., for a store, lodge and flat building, 51x70, to be brick veneered. Will have Table Rock brick, native stone, gravel roof, copper cornice, plate and d. s. glass, cement plaster, furnace heat, yellow pine flooring and finish, electric bells, iron beams and columns, metal ceiling, screens, ventilators. Cost $4,000. Contract will be let August 10."[17]

m. Improvement Bulletin describes this project as "Falls City, Neb.--M. N. Bair, architect, has prepared for a 2-story frame addition, 12x36, to his own dwelling. Will have d. s. and plate glass, cement plaster, furnace, parquet flooring, cherry finish, one bath, electric bells, plumbing, storm sash, etc. Cost $1,500."[18]

n. Improvement Bulletin describes this project as "Falls City, Neb.--M. N. Bair, architect, has prepared plans for fixtures for a storeroom, 25x100. There will be a freight elevator, metal ceiling, etc."[19]

o. Improvement Bulletin describes this project as "Salem, Neb.--M. N. Bair, architect, of Falls City, Neb., has prepared plans for a frame church for the Catholic society. Will be 40x62, with shingled roof, art glass, cement plaster, furnace heat, yellow pine flooring and finish, decorating, ventilators, etc. Cost $2,500. Rev. Fr. H. Bex, of Falls City, Neb., is in charge."[20]

p. Improvement Bulletin describes this project as "Falls City, Neb.--M. N. Bair, architect, has prepared plans for a store, lodge and office building for Samuel Wahl. It will be 3-story, brick, 50x114. Will have Omaha pressed brick, Warrensburg, Mo., stone, asphalt roofing copper cornice, plate glass, Acme plaster, steam heat, maple and yellow pine flooring, oak and yellow pine finish, boilers, cementing, freight elevator, electric light, fire escape, one grate and mantel, iron beams and columns, mosaic work, marble, wire lath, plumbing, skylights, speaking tubes, tiling, ventilators. Cost $18,000. Contract will be let March 1."[21]

q. Improvement Bulletin describes this project as "Falls City, Neb.--Mrs. Jane Turner has had plans prepared by M. N. Bair, architect, for a 2-story frame dwelling, 26x36. Will have shingled roof, d. s. glass, Acme plaster, hot air heat, yellow pine flooring and finish, etc. Cost $2,000. Contract will be let about April 1."[21]

r. Improvement Bulletin describes this project as "Falls City, Neb.--M. N. Bair, architect, has plans for a 2-sotry frame dwelling, 36x44, for John S. Crook. Will have shingled roof, d. s. plate and art glass, hard plaster, hot air heat, yellow pine flooring and finish, one bath, one grate, plumbing, parquet floors, screens and storm sash. Cost $3,000. Contract will be let March 15."[22]

s. Improvement Bulletin describes this project as "Falls City, Neb.--Postmaster E. O. Lewis has had plans prepared by M. N. Bair, architect, for a 2-sotry frame dwelling, 28x40. Will have stone foundation, shingled roof, d. s. and plate glass, Agatite plaster, furnace heat, parquet flooring, yellow pine finish, bath, decorating, plumbing and screens. Cost, $1,600. Contract will be let about April 15."[23]

t. Improvement Bulletin describes this project as "Falls City, Neb.--M. N. Bair, architect, has plans for a library and city hall building. Will be 2-story, 37x100, of common and pressed brick, Carthage stone, gravel roof, galvanized iron cornice, d. s. and plate glass, cement plaster, vapor heat, yellow pine flooring and finish, boiblers [sic], electric bells and light, iron beams and stairs, plumbing, vaults, etc. Cost $7.700. Bids will be taken until Aug. 10."[24]

u. Improvement Bulletin describes this project as "Falls City, Neb.--M. N. Bair, architect, has plans for a 2-story frame dwelling, 38x38, for Miss Margaret Steele. Will have d. s. and plate glass, cement plaster, vapor heating, yellow pine flooring and finish, one bath, electric light, one grate and mantel, plumbing, screens, etc. Cost $3,000."[25]

References

1. State Library Commission files

2. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

3. 1900 United States Census, s.v. “Moses N. Bair,” Falls City, Richardson County, Nebraska, accessed through HeritageQuestOnline.com.

4. 1910 United States Census, s.v. “Moses N. Bair,” Hastings, Adams County, Nebraska, accessed through HeritageQuestOnline.com.

5. “Moses N. Blair,” FindAGrave.com, accessed April 24, 2013, http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=bair&GSfn=moses&GSmn=n&GSbyrel=all&GSdy=1934&GSdyrel=in&GScntry=4&GSob=n&GRid=5477420&df=all&

6. “House for A. R. McMullen,” by Bair. Copies of plans and specs in site file.

7. Improvement Bulletin (February 5, 1898), 14.

8. Improvement Bulletin (March 19, 1898), 16.

9. Improvement Bulletin (June 3, 1899), 20.

10. Improvement Bulletin (July 15, 1899), 18.

11. Improvement Bulletin (August 26, 1899), 16.

12. Improvement Bulletin (September 30, 1899), 15.

13. Improvement Bulletin (March 10, 1900), 19.

14. Improvement Bulletin (March 31, 1900), 18.

15. Improvement Bulletin (April 21, 1900), 21.

16. Improvement Bulletin (June 2, 1900), 15.

17. Improvement Bulletin (August 4, 1900), 16.

18. Improvement Bulletin (August 18, 1900), 20.

19. Improvement Bulletin (September 1, 1900), 18.

20. Improvement Bulletin (September 22, 1900), 15.

21. Improvement Bulletin (January 19, 1901), 16.

22. Improvement Bulletin (January 26, 1901), 18.

23. Improvement Bulletin (February 16, 1901), 20.

24. Improvement Bulletin (July 13, 1901), 19.

25. Improvement Bulletin (August 17, 1901), 22.

26. "Nebraska Public Library Founding Dates/Carnegie or other building constructed," Nebraska Library Commission, http://nlc.nebraska.gov/history/libraryfoundingdates.aspx Accessed December 29, 2015.

Page Citation

D. Murphy, Patrick Haynes, Ruben Acosta, and E. F. Zimmer, “Moses N. Bair (1863-1934), Architect,” in David Murphy, Edward F. Zimmer, and Lynn Meyer, comps. Place Makers of Nebraska: The Architects. Lincoln: Nebraska State Historical Society, February 12, 2015. http://www.e-nebraskahistory.org/index.php?title=Place_Makers_of_Nebraska:_The_Architects Accessed, May 16, 2024.

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