Vonnegut & Bohn
Vonnegut & Bohn, was an architectural firm active in early- to mid-twentieth-century Indianapolis, Indiana.
Founded in 1888 by Bernard Vonnegut Sr., FAIA (1855–1908) and Arthur Bohn (b. 1861),[1] all the partners were German Americans and were trained in both American and German architectural academies, which gave their works a distinct German influence. The firm was responsible for many public, institutional, commercial, religious and residential buildings throughout Indiana, particularly in Indianapolis.[2]
Bernard Vonnegut died in 1908. In 1910, Vonnegut's son, Kurt Vonnegut Sr. (1884–1957), returned from studying in Germany and became a principal in the firm. Later, Mueller joined as a partner and the firm was renamed Vonnegut, Bohn & Mueller Architects. Arthur Bohn retired in the 1940s.[1]
In 1946, Kurt Vonnegut Sr. merged the firm with George Caleb Wright (b.April 25, 1889) of Pierre & Wright and Ralph Oscar Yeager (b.August 16, 1892) of Miller & Yeager (of Terre Haute, Indiana) forming Vonnegut, Wright & Yeager, which was located at 1126 Hume Mansur Building, Indianapolis, Indiana and 402 Opera House Building, Terre Haute, Indiana.[3]
Kurt Vonnegut Sr. was the father of author Kurt Vonnegut Jr., and is referred to, with the rest of the author's family, in many of his books.
[edit] Works by Vonnegut, Bohn & Mueller Architects
- The Athenæum (Das Deutsche Haus), 401 E. Michigan Street, Indianapolis IN, German Renaissance Revival style, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973; (Design by Bernard Vonnegut Sr. and Arthur Bohn)[1]
- William H. Block Company Building, Indianapolis IN, after 1910; (Design by Bernard Vonnegut Sr. and Arthur Bohn)[1]
- Herron Art Institute, Indianapolis IN; (Design by Bernard Vonnegut Sr.)[2]
- Ayres Building, Indianapolis IN; (Design by Bernard Vonnegut Sr.)[2]
- The Students Building, Indiana University at Bloomington; (Design by Bernard Vonnegut Sr.)[2]
- Delaware Street Temple, Indianapolis IN; (Design by Bernard Vonnegut Sr.)[2]
- Shortridge High School, Indianapolis IN; (Design by Bernard Vonnegut Sr.)[2]
- Federal Building, Vincennes, Indiana; (Design by Bernard Vonnegut Sr.)[2]
- Indiana Bell Telephone Building, Indianapolis, IN; (Design by Kurt Vonnegut Sr.)[3][4]
- All Souls Unitarian Church, 1453 N. Alabama Street, Indianapolis IN, first building; (Design by Kurt Vonnegut Sr.)[4]
- Anderson Bank Building, Anderson, Indiana; (Design by Kurt Vonnegut Sr.)[4]
- Hook's Drug Stores, buildings prior to World War II; (Design by Kurt Vonnegut Sr.)[4]
- Kurt Vonnegut Sr. Residence, Indianapolis 4th Ward Washington Township, Marion County, Indiana, c. 1929; (Design by Kurt Vonnegut Sr.)[4]
- Kurt Vonnegut Sr. Residence, William's Creek, Indiana, 1941; (Design by Kurt Vonnegut Sr.)[4]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d Historical sketch of Vonnegut and Bohn Accessed 27 Feb 2010
- ^ a b c d e f g archINFORM Bernard Vonnegut
- ^ a b "Questionnaire for Architects’ Roster and/or Register of Architects Qualified for Federal Public Works" [1] June 13, 1946.
- ^ a b c d e f "Biographical on Kurt Vonnegut, Sr." Lake Maxinkuckee Its Intrigue History & Genealogy; Culver, Marshall, Indiana
