Works of Charles B. Clarke, Architect
Charles B. Clarke (1836-1899) was a prominent St. Louis architect whose work has been largely forgotten. Clarke designed many bold and individualistic buildings, including the Fagin Building, the first skyscraper in St. Louis. He married Nancy J. Fagin (1846-1906), daughter of millionaire Aaron W. Fagin (1812-1896).
From the Missouri Historical Review:
CHARLES B. CLARKE was born in Norwich, Connecticut on April 6, 1836. He studied architecture in Albany, New York and came to St. Louis in 1859. Mr. Clarke designed the buildings for the State Normal School at Cape Girardeau, Missouri; the Central High School and several other buildings at Chillicothe, Missouri; Third Baptist Church at 14th and Clark in St. Louis; the large residence for JO Pierce at Chouteau and St. Ange Avenues in St. Louis, which was better known as “Cracker Castle”; and his last work was the Fagin Building, a ten-story structure on Olive street, between 8th and 9th. A study of pictures of that building will show that Mr. Clarke was several years ahead of the modern school of architectural design who believe that an office building should be mainly of glass. His death occurred in 1899, and he is buried in Bellefontaine, on the Fagin family lot.
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| Third Baptist Church, 1866 St. Louis, Missouri |
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| Jonathan O. Pierce House, 1868 "Cracker Castle" St. Louis, Missouri |
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| Third District Normal School, 1874-1875 Cape Girardeau, Missouri |
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| Central School, 1875 Chillicothe, Missouri |
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| Randolph County Courthouse Remodeling, 1877 Huntsville, Missouri |
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| Newton County Courthouse, 1877 Neosho, Missouri |
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| A. W. Fagin Building, 1880-1888 St. Louis, Missouri |