James Bogardus
Encyclopedia
James Bogardus was an American inventor and architect, the pioneer of American cast-iron architecture
, for which he took out a patent in 1850. In the next two decades he demonstrated the use of cast-iron in the construction of building facades, especially in New York City
, where he was based, but also in Washington, DC, where three cast-iron structures erected by Bogardus in 1851 were the first such constructions in the capital. The success of the cast-iron exteriors from 1850-1880 led to the adoption of steel-frame construction for entire buildings.
Born in Catskill
, New York
, Bogardus quit school at the age of fourteen to start an apprenticeship at a watchmaker
.
Bogardus attached plaques to his cast-ironwork that read: "James Bogardus Originator & Patentee of Iron Buildings Pat' May 7, 1850."
He married Margaret McClay.
A small park in TriBeCa
, where Chambers Street
, Hudson Street
and West Broadway (Manhattan)
intersect is named James Bogardus Triangle.
He was a descendant of the Rev. Everardus Bogardus
(d.1647), the second clergyman in the New Netherlands. Bogardus died in New York City
aged 74.
Cast-iron architecture
Cast-iron architecture is a form of architecture where cast iron plays a central role. It was a prominent style in the Industrial Revolution era when cast iron was relatively cheap and modern steel had not yet been developed.-Structural use:...
, for which he took out a patent in 1850. In the next two decades he demonstrated the use of cast-iron in the construction of building facades, especially in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, where he was based, but also in Washington, DC, where three cast-iron structures erected by Bogardus in 1851 were the first such constructions in the capital. The success of the cast-iron exteriors from 1850-1880 led to the adoption of steel-frame construction for entire buildings.
Born in Catskill
Catskill (town), New York
Catskill is a town in the southeast part of Greene County, New York, United States. The population was 11,775 at the 2010 census. The western part of the town is in the Catskill Park....
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, Bogardus quit school at the age of fourteen to start an apprenticeship at a watchmaker
Watchmaker
A watchmaker is an artisan who makes and repairs watches. Since virtually all watches are now factory made, most modern watchmakers solely repair watches. However, originally they were master craftsmen who built watches, including all their parts, by hand...
.
Bogardus attached plaques to his cast-ironwork that read: "James Bogardus Originator & Patentee of Iron Buildings Pat' May 7, 1850."
He married Margaret McClay.
A small park in TriBeCa
TriBeCa
Tribeca is a neighborhood in Lower Manhattan, New York in the United States. Its name is an acronym based on the words "Triangle below Canal Street", and is properly bounded by Canal Street, West Street, Broadway, and Vesey Street...
, where Chambers Street
Chambers Street (Manhattan)
Chambers Street is a bi-directional street in the New York City borough of Manhattan. It runs from River Terrace, Battery Park City, in the west, past PS 234 and Stuyvesant High School to 1 Centre Street, the Manhattan Municipal Building, to the east. In the early 20th century the street...
, Hudson Street
Hudson Street
Hudson Street may refer to:* Hudson Street , 2000 debut album by Northern Irish electronic duo Agnelli & Nelson* Hudson Street , north/south oriented street in the New York City borough of Manhattan...
and West Broadway (Manhattan)
West Broadway (Manhattan)
West Broadway, not to be confused with Broadway, is a north-south street in the New York City borough of Manhattan separated into two parts by a park. The northern part begins at TriBeCa Park, near the intersection of Sixth Avenue, Walker Street and Beach Street in TriBeCa...
intersect is named James Bogardus Triangle.
He was a descendant of the Rev. Everardus Bogardus
Everardus Bogardus
The Revered Everardus Bogardus was the dominie of the New Netherlands, and was the second minister of the Dutch Reformed Church, the oldest established church in present-day New York, which was then located on Pearl Street at its first location built in 1633, the year of his arrival. Bogardus was,...
(d.1647), the second clergyman in the New Netherlands. Bogardus died in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
aged 74.
Notable inventions
- A cottonCottonCotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective capsule, around the seeds of cotton plants of the genus Gossypium. The fiber is almost pure cellulose. The botanical purpose of cotton fiber is to aid in seed dispersal....
-spinning machine called a ring flier (1828) - A mechanized engravingEngravingEngraving is the practice of incising a design on to a hard, usually flat surface, by cutting grooves into it. The result may be a decorated object in itself, as when silver, gold, steel, or glass are engraved, or may provide an intaglio printing plate, of copper or another metal, for printing...
machine (1831), employed for engraving dies for bank notes - The eccentric mill (1832), still used in principle for fine finish of ball bearings, and, with variable eccentricity, for lens grindingLens (optics)A lens is an optical device with perfect or approximate axial symmetry which transmits and refracts light, converging or diverging the beam. A simple lens consists of a single optical element...
.
Buildings still standing
- 63 Nassau Street63 Nassau Street63 Nassau Street is a landmark building on Nassau Street in lower Manhattan, New York City. Constructed in 1859, the building has one of the earliest Cast-iron facades in New York City. The building is attributed to New York architect James Bogardus who pioneered the use of this material...
- 254 Canal Street254 Canal Street254 Canal Street, a New York City landmarked building, is one of the most notable buildings by James Bogardus, the pioneer of Cast-iron architecture....
- 75 Murray Street75 Murray Street75 Murray Street is between West Broadway and Greenwich street in Manhattan, New York. It is one of the earliest as well as one of the few remaining cast iron façades created by James Bogardus. It was built in 1858. The original tenants were Francis and John Hopkins, who had a glassware...
- 85 Leonard Street85 Leonard Street85 Leonard Street is on Leonard Street between Church Street and Broadway in Manhattan, New York. It is one of the few remaining cast iron façades created by James Bogardus....
- Iron Clad BuildingIron Clad BuildingThe Iron Clad Building is a landmarked building in Cooperstown, New York. It was built in 1862 by James Bogardus, the pioneer of cast iron architecture....
, Cooperstown, New York (92 Main St, Cooperstown, NY)
Further reading
- Margot Gayle and Carol Gayle. Cast-Iron Architecture in America: The Significance of James Bogardus (New York: Norton) 1998.