Thomas Rogers Kimball
Encyclopedia
Thomas Rogers Kimball was an American
architect
in Omaha, Nebraska
. An architect-in-chief of the Trans-Mississippi Exposition
in Omaha in 1898, he served as national President of the American Institute of Architects from 1918–1920 and from 1919-1932 served on the Nebraska State Capitol Commission.
Kimball was credited with pursuing 871 commissions, which included designing 167 new residential buildings and 162 new non-residential structures, served as architectural adviser to commissions responsible for erection of Missouri and Nebraska state capitols, the Kansas City Liberty Memorial
, and the Indiana state war memorial in Indianapolis, and was member of national council of fine arts established by U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt
to evaluate all plans for public buildings, monuments, and statutes.
Born in 1862 in Linwood, Cincinnati, Ohio
, he moved to Omaha
, Nebraska
with his parents when he was in his early teens. After graduating from high school in 1878, he attended the University of Nebraska (currently the University of Nebraska-Lincoln) for two years, but did not graduate. He next went to Boston, where he worked with a private tutor for another two years. Kimball then entered the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
, where he studied architecture until 1887. He did not graduate, but was later given an affiliation with the School of Architecture.
Kimball then moved to Paris
, where he spent a year studying art at L'Ecole des Beaux Arts
. Returning to Boston in 1888, he began working for a publishing company. The following year, Kimball married Annie McPhail in Boston.
and architect Herbert Best. Best soon retired. Walker remained in Boston to run the office there; Kimball moved back to Omaha and opened an office. Both operated under the name Walker and Kimball. In 1892, Kimball was commissioned to design a public library building in Omaha. Although Kimball had been able to get the job through connections established by his father, railroad executive Thomas Lord Kimball, the younger Kimball was in fact well qualified for the work. He was also something of a curiosity in 1890s Omaha, since he had been educated in the East and had studied architecture both in the United States and in France. Kimball began attracting many high-profile projects in Omaha, including St. Frances Cabrini Church and the Burlington Train Station
. In 1893, some of his architectural plan
s were shown in Chicago at the World Columbian Exposition.
was a World's Fair-like event that required the construction of many buildings. Kimball and Walker were named co-architects-in-chief for the event. The two men were responsible for the overall site development, including perimeter buildings. They designed several major buildings, some smaller structures and the Arch of States (a main entrance). "The other 'name' architects who were there did a main building and nothing else," Batie said.
The buildings were constructed of strips of wood covered with staph, which was a mixture of plaster and horsehair. They were temporary by design, built at about half the cost of permanent buildings. The lower cost allowed the construction of larger structures. Kimball was already successful, but his Exhibition work made him even more so. Kimball won commissions for major new projects, such as St. Cecilia Cathedral
and the Fontenelle Hotel in Omaha, and the Electricity Building at the 1904 World's Fair
in St. Louis.
, an office he held until 1920. Kimball was involved in many architecture-related activities, including supervision of the 1920 design contest that selected Bertram Goodhue
as architect of the Nebraska State Capitol
.
In 1927, Kimball went into a partnership with architects William L. Steele
(1875–1949) and Josiah D. Sandham (1880–1969) to form the firm Kimball, Steele, and Sandham. Among other commissions, the firm designed the Second Church of Christ Scientist
(Minneapolis, 1930) and with George B. Prinz were asssociate architects on the Federal Office Building
(Omaha, 1933). However, Kimball functioned primarily as a consultant, having stopped working as an active architect.
, which hurt Kimball financially. He died a pauper in 1934. Upon his death, partner William L. Steele remarked that Kimball "did not...as the majority of his contemporaries did, absorb a repertoire of French tricks and come home. He studied architecture as building, not as merely drawings of the buildings. He seemed to have acquired at an early age that grasp of fundamental principles which was to keep him from being stampeded by passing fads."
Kimball also designed the original Omaha World-Herald
building, the First National Bank in Grand Island and the Hastings, Nebraska
Railroad Station. At the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition he prepared the layout for the park and designed the Arch of the States, the Administration Building, Transportation Building, and the Boys' and Girls' Building.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
in Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
. An architect-in-chief of the Trans-Mississippi Exposition
Trans-Mississippi Exposition
The Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition was a world's fair held in Omaha, Nebraska from June 1 to November 1 of 1898. Its goal was to showcase the development of the entire West, stretching from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Coast. The Indian Congress was held concurrently...
in Omaha in 1898, he served as national President of the American Institute of Architects from 1918–1920 and from 1919-1932 served on the Nebraska State Capitol Commission.
Kimball was credited with pursuing 871 commissions, which included designing 167 new residential buildings and 162 new non-residential structures, served as architectural adviser to commissions responsible for erection of Missouri and Nebraska state capitols, the Kansas City Liberty Memorial
Liberty Memorial
The Liberty Memorial, located in Kansas City, Missouri, USA, is a memorial to the fallen soldiers of World War I and houses the The National World War I Museum, as designated by the United States Congress in 2004.. Groundbreaking commenced November 1, 1921, and the city held a site dedication...
, and the Indiana state war memorial in Indianapolis, and was member of national council of fine arts established by U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity...
to evaluate all plans for public buildings, monuments, and statutes.
Biography
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, he moved to Omaha
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
, Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
with his parents when he was in his early teens. After graduating from high school in 1878, he attended the University of Nebraska (currently the University of Nebraska-Lincoln) for two years, but did not graduate. He next went to Boston, where he worked with a private tutor for another two years. Kimball then entered the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
, where he studied architecture until 1887. He did not graduate, but was later given an affiliation with the School of Architecture.
Kimball then moved to Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, where he spent a year studying art at L'Ecole des Beaux Arts
École des Beaux-Arts
École des Beaux-Arts refers to a number of influential art schools in France. The most famous is the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts, now located on the left bank in Paris, across the Seine from the Louvre, in the 6th arrondissement. The school has a history spanning more than 350 years,...
. Returning to Boston in 1888, he began working for a publishing company. The following year, Kimball married Annie McPhail in Boston.
Walker and Kimball
In 1891, Kimball formed an architectural firm with MIT instructor C. Howard WalkerCharles Howard Walker
Charles Howard Walker was an architect, designer and educator in Boston, Massachusetts, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He taught at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and was affiliated with Boston's Society of Arts and Crafts...
and architect Herbert Best. Best soon retired. Walker remained in Boston to run the office there; Kimball moved back to Omaha and opened an office. Both operated under the name Walker and Kimball. In 1892, Kimball was commissioned to design a public library building in Omaha. Although Kimball had been able to get the job through connections established by his father, railroad executive Thomas Lord Kimball, the younger Kimball was in fact well qualified for the work. He was also something of a curiosity in 1890s Omaha, since he had been educated in the East and had studied architecture both in the United States and in France. Kimball began attracting many high-profile projects in Omaha, including St. Frances Cabrini Church and the Burlington Train Station
Burlington Train Station
The Burlington Train Station, located at 925 South 10th Street in downtown Omaha, Nebraska is a historically and culturally significant landmark, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. When it was opened in 1898, this Italianate style building, designed by Thomas Rogers Kimball,...
. In 1893, some of his architectural plan
Architectural plan
An architectural plan is a plan for architecture, and the documentation of written and graphic descriptions of the architectural elements of a building project including sketches, drawings and details.- Overview :...
s were shown in Chicago at the World Columbian Exposition.
Trans-Mississippi Exposition
The 1898 Trans Mississippi and International ExpositionTrans-Mississippi Exposition
The Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition was a world's fair held in Omaha, Nebraska from June 1 to November 1 of 1898. Its goal was to showcase the development of the entire West, stretching from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Coast. The Indian Congress was held concurrently...
was a World's Fair-like event that required the construction of many buildings. Kimball and Walker were named co-architects-in-chief for the event. The two men were responsible for the overall site development, including perimeter buildings. They designed several major buildings, some smaller structures and the Arch of States (a main entrance). "The other 'name' architects who were there did a main building and nothing else," Batie said.
The buildings were constructed of strips of wood covered with staph, which was a mixture of plaster and horsehair. They were temporary by design, built at about half the cost of permanent buildings. The lower cost allowed the construction of larger structures. Kimball was already successful, but his Exhibition work made him even more so. Kimball won commissions for major new projects, such as St. Cecilia Cathedral
St. Cecilia Cathedral
St. Cecilia Cathedral is the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Omaha. Located at 701 North 40th Street in the Gold Coast Historic District, the Cathedral was ranked as one of the ten largest in the United States when it was completed in 1959...
and the Fontenelle Hotel in Omaha, and the Electricity Building at the 1904 World's Fair
Louisiana Purchase Exposition
The Louisiana Purchase Exposition, informally known as the Saint Louis World's Fair, was an international exposition held in St. Louis, Missouri, United States in 1904.- Background :...
in St. Louis.
Late career
By 1918, he had gained tremendous stature among his peers and was elected national president of the American Institute of ArchitectsAmerican Institute of Architects
The American Institute of Architects is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach to support the architecture profession and improve its public image...
, an office he held until 1920. Kimball was involved in many architecture-related activities, including supervision of the 1920 design contest that selected Bertram Goodhue
Bertram Goodhue
Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue was a American architect celebrated for his work in neo-gothic design. He also designed notable typefaces, including Cheltenham and Merrymount for the Merrymount Press.-Early career:...
as architect of the Nebraska State Capitol
Nebraska State Capitol
The Nebraska State Capitol, located in Lincoln, Nebraska, is the house of the Nebraska Legislature and houses other offices of the government of the U.S. state of Nebraska....
.
In 1927, Kimball went into a partnership with architects William L. Steele
William L. Steele
William LaBarthe Steele was an important architect of the Prairie School during the early twentieth century. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Steele worked in the office of renowned architect Louis Sullivan in Chicago, Illinois 1897–1900...
(1875–1949) and Josiah D. Sandham (1880–1969) to form the firm Kimball, Steele, and Sandham. Among other commissions, the firm designed the Second Church of Christ Scientist
IVY Hotel + Residences
IVY Hotel + Residences, which integrates the historic Ivy Tower, is a skyscraper in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It was completed in summer of 2008 and has 25 floors, 6 elevators and 136 hotel rooms and 70 residential units....
(Minneapolis, 1930) and with George B. Prinz were asssociate architects on the Federal Office Building
Federal Office Building (Omaha, Nebraska)
The Federal Office Building , also known as the Old Federal Building, is a thirteen story, stripped classical style building with Art Deco elements located in downtown Omaha, Nebraska. The building was designed and built in 1933-34 by architects Thomas R. Kimball, William L. Steele, and Josiah D...
(Omaha, 1933). However, Kimball functioned primarily as a consultant, having stopped working as an active architect.
Death and legacy
His success could not survive the Great DepressionGreat Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
, which hurt Kimball financially. He died a pauper in 1934. Upon his death, partner William L. Steele remarked that Kimball "did not...as the majority of his contemporaries did, absorb a repertoire of French tricks and come home. He studied architecture as building, not as merely drawings of the buildings. He seemed to have acquired at an early age that grasp of fundamental principles which was to keep him from being stampeded by passing fads."
Notable designs
| Notable designs by Thomas Rogers Kimball alphabetical order | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Built | Location | Notes |
| All Saint's Episcopal Church | 1906 | 26th and Dewey Avenue | Kimball took the contract for designing this building away from John McDonald, another influential architect in Omaha, after a fire destroyed the original church. He designed a parish house and church, both of which were demolished in 1966 when the church moved to another location. |
| Battle Mountain Sanitarium | 1898 | Hot Springs, South Dakota Hot Springs, South Dakota Hot Springs is a city in Fall River County, South Dakota, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 3,711. It is the county seat of Fall River County... |
Designed in a star pattern for sun and air, today the building is known as the Domiciliary at the Hot Springs Medical Center of the VA Black Hills Health Care System. |
| Breckenridge/Gordon Residence | 1909 | 3611 Jackson Street, Omaha | A family residence listed on the NRHP. |
| Burlington Headquarters Building Burlington Headquarters Building The Burlington Headquarters Building, also called Burlington Place, is located at 1002 Farnam Street in Downtown Omaha, Nebraska. This four-story brick building was originally designed by Alfred R. Dufrene and built in 1879 next to Jobbers Canyon. It was redesigned by noted Omaha architect Thomas... |
1879 | 1002-1006 Farnam Street, Omaha | This Downtown Omaha Downtown Omaha Downtown Omaha is the central business, government and social core of the Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area, and is located in Omaha, Nebraska. The boundaries are 20th Street on the west to the Missouri River on the east and the centerline of Leavenworth Street on the south to the centerline... landmark sits on the Gene Leahy Mall Gene Leahy Mall Gene Leahy Mall, also known locally as Central Park or The Mall, is a park located at 1302 Farnam on the Mall in Downtown Omaha, Nebraska and bordered by South 10th Street. The Mall is encircled by a long pathway that wraps around a large lagoon. There are also waterfalls, two huge slides, a... , and was rehabilitated by Kimball in 1879. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation... , or NRHP. |
| Burlington Train Station Burlington Train Station The Burlington Train Station, located at 925 South 10th Street in downtown Omaha, Nebraska is a historically and culturally significant landmark, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. When it was opened in 1898, this Italianate style building, designed by Thomas Rogers Kimball,... |
1898 | 925 South 10th Street, Omaha | Added to the NRHP in 1974; currently high-end condominiums. |
| Dome Lake Club | 1895 | 56 Dee Drive, Sheridan, Wyoming Sheridan, Wyoming Sheridan is a city in Sheridan County, Wyoming, United States. The 2010 census put the population at 17,444 and a Micropolitan Statistical Area of 29,116... |
This private fishing club is located near the Bighorn National Forest Bighorn National Forest Bighorn National Forest is located in northern Wyoming, United States and consists of over 1.1 million acres . Created as a US Forest Reserve in 1897, it is one of the oldest government-protected forest lands in the U.S... . |
| F.P. Kirkendall House | 1901 | 3727 Jackson Street, Omaha | Ranking among the largest of the Gold Coast Historic District Gold Coast Historic District (Omaha, Nebraska) The Gold Coast Historic District is located in Midtown Omaha, Nebraska. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997, this historic district covers approximately a 30 block area roughly bounded by 36th, 40th, Jones, and Cuming Streets... homes, this house has won several awards. |
| Gallagher Residence | 1904 | 513 South 38th Street, Omaha | A prominent home throughout its life, it was designed for Ben Gallagher, the founder of the Paxton and Gallagher Wholesale Grocery Company in pioneer Omaha. It was demolished in 1967. |
| Hall County Court House | 1904 | 422 West 1st Street, Grand Island, Nebraska Grand Island, Nebraska Grand Island is a city in and the county seat of Hall County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 48,520 at the 2010 census.Grand Island is home to the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center which is the sole agency responsible for training law enforcement officers throughout the state,... |
This building serves Hall County Hall County, Nebraska -History:Hall County was formed in 1858. It was named after Augustus Hall, an early judge of this territory.- Demographics :As of the census of 2000, there were 53,534 people, 20,356 households, and 14,086 families residing in the county. The population density was 98 people per square mile... government offices, and was added to the NRHP in 1977. |
| Hotel Fontenelle Hotel Fontenelle Hotel Fontenelle was an upscale commercial hotel once located at 1806 Douglas Street in downtown Omaha, Nebraska. Designed by noted architect Thomas Rogers Kimball in the Late Gothic Revival style, it was built in 1914 and demolished in 1983... |
1914 | 1806 Douglas Street, Omaha | This building was demolished in 1983. |
| Mary Rogers Kimball House Mary Rogers Kimball House The Mary Rogers Kimball House, also known as the Kimball House, is located at 2236 St. Mary's Avenue in Downtown Omaha, Nebraska.It is an official Omaha City Landmark and also is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was designed by Thomas Kimball.... |
1905 | 2236 St. Mary's Avenue, Omaha | Built close to her son's home, this house is the only remaining example of the numerous upscale homes that used to sit on St. Mary's. It is listed on the NRHP. |
| Medical Arts Building | 1926 | 17th and Dodge Street Dodge Street Dodge Street is the main east–west street in Omaha, Nebraska. Numbered as U.S. Route 6, the street starts in Downtown Omaha and connects to West Dodge Road around 78th Street. From there it continues westward through the remainder of Douglas County.... s, Omaha |
Originally designed as an all-in-one medical office and laboratory facility, Kimball withdrew when the builders went bankrupt. He eventually sold the plans to John McDonald, a local competitor. The building was demolished in 1999. |
| Monmouth Park School Monmouth Park School Monmouth Park School is a former public school located at 4508 North 33rd Street in North Omaha, Nebraska. The building is considered a significant example of the Second Renaissance Revival style. It is also important as the work of Thomas Kimball, considered by many to be Nebraska's finest architect... |
1903 | 4508 North 33rd Street, Omaha | Added to the NRHP in 1983, this building was converted to apartments in 1985. |
| Nash Block Nash Block The Nash Block, also known as the McKesson-Robbins Warehouse and currently as The Greenhouse, is located at 902-912 Farnam Street in Omaha, Nebraska. Designed by Thomas R. Kimball and built in 1907, the building is the last remnant of Downtown Omaha's Jobbers Canyon... |
1905 | 902 Farnam Street, Omaha | Added to the NHRP in 1985, this building is currently apartments. |
| Nebraska Telephone Company Building | 1894 | Lincoln, Nebraska Lincoln, Nebraska The City of Lincoln is the capital and the second-most populous city of the US state of Nebraska. Lincoln is also the county seat of Lancaster County and the home of the University of Nebraska. Lincoln's 2010 Census population was 258,379.... |
Listed on the NRHP. |
| Old Administration Building | 1903 | University of Nebraska at Lincoln campus | This building was razed in 1963. |
| Omaha Country Club | 1900 | ||
| Omaha Public Library Omaha Public Library (building) The original Omaha Public Library building was built in 1891 at 1823 Harney Street in downtown Omaha, Nebraska by renowned architect Thomas Kimball... |
1892 | 1823 Harney Street, Omaha | Called "one of the most significant structures in Nebraska", this building sits on land originally donated to the city by local real estate mogul Byron Reed Byron Reed Byron Reed was an American pioneer real estate businessman and local politician in Omaha, Nebraska. He founded the first real estate office in the Nebraska Territory and became the foremost agent after Nebraska achieved statehood.-Biography:Reed was born in Darien, Genesee County, New York... . It was Kimball's first commission in Omaha, and served as the public library in Omaha until 1977, when afterwards it was converted to offices, in which capacity it still serves. It is listed on the NRHP. |
| Packers National Bank | 1907 | 4939 South 24th Street, Omaha | Located in the South Omaha Main Street Historic District South Omaha Main Street Historic District The South Omaha Main Street Historic District is located along South 24th Street between M and O Streets in South Omaha, Nebraska. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989... , this building serves as offices today, and is listed on the NRHP individually. |
| Park School Park School (Omaha) Park School is located at 1320 South 29th Street in south Omaha, Nebraska. The school was designed by Thomas R. Kimball and built in 1918. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989 and designated an Omaha Landmark in 1990.-About:... |
1918 | 1320 South 29th Street, Omaha | Named for its proximity to Hanscom Park Hanscom Park Hanscom Park is a historic neighborhood in Midtown Omaha, Nebraska. Its namesake public park is one of the oldest parks in Omaha, donated to the City in 1872. U.S. President Gerald R. Ford was born in a house in the Hanscom Park neighborhood... , this building was sold by Omaha Public Schools Omaha Public Schools Omaha Public Schools is the largest school district in the state of Nebraska. This public school district serves a diverse community of more than 46,000 students at over 80 elementary and secondary schools in Omaha, Nebraska... in 1988 and converted to apartments. |
| Paxton and Gallagher Warehouse | 1908 | 901-909 Jones Street, Omaha | Currently serves as apartments. |
| Richard R. Kimball Residence | 1901 | 1235 Park Wild Avenue, Omaha | Built for Kimball's brother, a prominent automobile dealer, this house was demolished in the mid 1960s. |
| St. Cecilia Cathedral St. Cecilia Cathedral St. Cecilia Cathedral is the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Omaha. Located at 701 North 40th Street in the Gold Coast Historic District, the Cathedral was ranked as one of the ten largest in the United States when it was completed in 1959... |
1905 | 701 North 40th Street, Omaha | Completed in 1959, Kimball's original designs were altered by later architects. |
| St. Francis Cabrini Church | 1908 | 1335 South 10th Street, Omaha | Built as St. Philomena’s Cathedral, this structure retained cathedral Cathedral A cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop... status until St. Cecilia’s Cathedral was substantially completed around 1916. |
| St. Philomena's Catholic Church | 1908 | 1335 South 10th Street | Considered one of Kimball's best works, this building is listed on the NRHP, and is currently named St. Francis Cabrini. |
| Second Church of Christ Scientist (now Ivy Hotel) IVY Hotel + Residences IVY Hotel + Residences, which integrates the historic Ivy Tower, is a skyscraper in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It was completed in summer of 2008 and has 25 floors, 6 elevators and 136 hotel rooms and 70 residential units.... |
1930 | 1115 2nd Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota Minneapolis, Minnesota Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States... |
A locally-designated landmark, this building is a rare example of the Ziggurat form in the city. |
| South Omaha Public Library | 1904 | 2302 M Street, Omaha | This Carnegie library Carnegie library A Carnegie library is a library built with money donated by Scottish-American businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. 2,509 Carnegie libraries were built between 1883 and 1929, including some belonging to public and university library systems... was designed to be reminiscent of a small Italian Renaissance palazzo. It was demolished in 1953 and replaced with a modern library at the same location. |
| Thomas R. Kimball Residence | 1905 | 2450 St. Mary's Avenue, Omaha | Curved drives, elevated gardens and illustrious landscaping surrounded this multi-towered, seven-chimneyed building with design elements from many styles. It was demolished six years after Kimball's death and replaced with a grocery store and parking lot. |
| Wattles House Wattles House The Wattles House is located at 320 South 37th Street in the Midtown area of Omaha, Nebraska. Designed by renowned Omaha architect Thomas Kimball in the Chateauesque style, the house was built in 1895... |
1895 | 320 South 37th Street, Omaha | Banker Gurdon Wattles Gurdon Wattles Gurdon Wallace Wattles was an early businessman, banker and civic leader in Omaha, Nebraska who became responsible for bankrolling much of early Hollywood... lived here for 25 years, during which time he planned the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition, among his many ventures. |
| Webster Telephone Exchange Building Webster Telephone Exchange Building The Webster Telephone Exchange Building is located at 2213 Lake Street in North Omaha, Nebraska. It was designed by the well-known Omaha architect Thomas R. Kimball. After the Easter Sunday Tornado of 1913, the building was used as the center of recovery operations... |
1907 | 2213 Lake Street, Omaha | Serving as a telephone exchange Telephone exchange In the field of telecommunications, a telephone exchange or telephone switch is a system of electronic components that connects telephone calls... , emergency morgue, community center, and museum Great Plains Black History Museum The Great Plains Black History Museum is located at 2213 Lake Street in the Near North Side neighborhood in North Omaha, Nebraska. It is housed in the Webster Telephone Exchange Building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places... has not saved this building from disrepair. |
| William F. Baxter Residence | 1926 | 410 South Elwood Boulevard | One of the last large residential plans by Kimball before he died, this home is on the University of Nebraska at Omaha University of Nebraska at Omaha The University of Nebraska at Omaha is a four-year state university located in Omaha, Nebraska, USA. Founded in 1908 as Omaha University, the institution became the public Municipal University of Omaha in 1931. It assumed its current name in 1968 following a merger into the University... campus and is threatened by a student housing project. |
Kimball also designed the original Omaha World-Herald
Omaha World-Herald
The Omaha World-Herald, based in Omaha, Nebraska, is the primary daily newspaper of Nebraska, as well as portions of southwest Iowa. For decades it circulated daily throughout Nebraska, and in parts of Kansas, South Dakota, Missouri, Colorado and Wyoming. In 2008, distribution was reduced to the...
building, the First National Bank in Grand Island and the Hastings, Nebraska
Hastings, Nebraska
Hastings is a city in and the county seat of Adams County, Nebraska, United States. It is the principal city of the Hastings, Nebraska Micropolitan Statistical Area, which consists of Adams and Clay counties. The population was 24,907 at the 2010 census...
Railroad Station. At the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition he prepared the layout for the park and designed the Arch of the States, the Administration Building, Transportation Building, and the Boys' and Girls' Building.