THE FORT JACKSON HOTEL

(Exterior): Red brick and limestone cover the modern, steel beam construction of the Fort Jackson Hotel. The façade was decorated with historically inspired details such as swags and urns. 
(Interior): The richly appointed lobby was designed in the Italian Renaissance style. Two dining rooms were located on the mezzanine behind the triple arches. (photo credit, greeneconnections.com)

The Fort Jackson Hotel is a significant example of early 20th century architecture that anchors the most important intersection in downtown Waynesburg. It was designed by prominent Greensburg architect Paul “Barty” Bartholomew and his partner, the suave and talented Brandon Smith.

The modern, steel frame, “totally fire-proof” structure was begun just four months after the tragic Downey House Fire of December 23, 1925, that had destroyed the previous hotel on the site. Construction was completed a year later in April, 1927. Like the Downey House, this building accommodated local retail businesses on the first floor and a total of 70 hotel rooms above. The Fort Jackson is the third inn on the site. Since the town’s founding in 1796, this lot has always been known as the “Hotel Corner”.

Characteristic of the work of Bartholomew and Smith, the design is symmetrical and restrained, Neoclassical in style. The focal point is the hotel entrance facing South Washington Street. Above the canopy, pediments support a double-story portico with wide carved cornice. Originally, there were urns on the roof top. At street level, triple arches and a pair of enameled cartouches add grandeur. Each illustrates a vase filled with acanthus leaves, a popular classical detail. They were painted by John R. Davis & Sons of Waynesburg and remain in good condition.

Inside, the lobby was decorated in the Italian Renaissance style with a high coffered ceiling, brass rails and light fixtures, oriental rugs and baronial furniture. Two dining rooms on the mezzanine level seated 100 and 40. Two elevators whisked patrons up to their rooms or down to the basement barber and hairdresser shops.

The work of Bartholomew and Smith is regionally important. Their practice began in 1920 (some sources say earlier) and continued until 1928 when Smith left to form his own firm. Other joint commissions include Troutman’s Department Store (1923) and First Commonwealth Bank (1924), both in Greensburg, the B. F. Jones Memorial Library in Aliquippa (1927) and Citizens National Bank (1926) of Latrobe. The latter is individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Fort Jackson Hotel, built in the same year as the Latrobe bank, is part of the Waynesburg National Register Historic District. These two buildings share many similarities. Plans and detailed drawings for both are archived at Westmoreland County Historical Society.

In solo practice, Bartholomew designed the Greensburg YMCA, Beta Theta Phi fraternity house at Penn State and many fine residences in the Academy Hill neighborhood of Greensburg. He is also well known as the creator of the Depression-era “New Deal” community of Norvelt in Westmoreland County.

Brandon Smith built a highly successful practice designing stylish residences of baronial splendor for wealthy clients in the Pittsburgh suburbs of Fox Chapel and Sewickley. He is best known for Fox Chapel Golf Club (1923) and the Edgeworth Club (1929). In 1983, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette art critic Donald Miller wrote about one of the mansions he had designed in Sewickley Heights, “Whether the style was English or French, Brandon Smith, an eclectic architect, lavished time and talent on mantels, crown moldings and other architectural appointments that can make a house a home."

Such attention to detail is still evident in the Fort Jackson building today. Waynesburg is fortunate to have this beautiful Bartholomew and Smith design in its town center.

This article was originally published in the September 2014 issue of GreeneSPEAK!