R. H. Hunt

Reuben Harrison Hunt
Born(1862-02-02)February 2, 1862
Elbert County, Georgia
DiedMay 28, 1937(1937-05-28) (aged 75)
Chattanooga, Tennessee
NationalityAmerican
OccupationArchitect
PracticeR. H. Hunt Company
BuildingsSoldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium
Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium
Elbert County Courthouse photographed in 2012
The Tabernacle (formerly Tabernacle Baptist Church) in Atlanta, Georgia, photographed in 2009

Reuben Harrison Hunt (February 2, 1862 – May 28, 1937), also known as R. H. Hunt, was an American architect who spent most of his life in Chattanooga, Tennessee.[1] He is considered to have been one of the city's most significant early architects.[2] He also designed major public building projects in other states. He was a principal of the R.H. Hunt and Co. firm.

He came to Chattanooga in 1882 and within four years had established a successful architectural firm. Hunt designed a number of Chattanooga's homes and public buildings, including the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium (1922), the Joel W. Solomon Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse (1934) with Shreve, Lamb and Harmon,[3] the Hamilton County, Tennessee Courthouse (1912), the James (1907) and Maclellan (1924) buildings, the Carnegie Library (1905) and the St. John's Hotel (1915).

Hunt also designed churches throughout the South. This included well-known Chattanooga churches such as Second Presbyterian Church and First Baptist Church,[4] as well as the Tabernacle in Atlanta.[5] Numerous works by Hunt are preserved and listed on the National Register of Historic Places,[6] 21 of which are covered in one 1979 survey study.[7]

The U.S. Post Office and Courthouse in Chattanooga, Tennessee, built 1932–1933, was Hunt's last major work. Hunt designed every major public building constructed in Chattanooga between 1895 and 1935. He was also the architect of local churches, hospitals, and private office buildings, as well as similar public and private buildings throughout the South.[8] In 1938 the Chattanooga building was recognized by the American Institute of Architects as one of the 150 finest buildings constructed in the previous twenty years in the United States, and it was featured in an AIA photographic exhibit in America and Europe.[8]

Works

Projects credited to Hunt or his firm include (with attribution):

  • Alexandria Hall-Louisiana College, Louisiana College, Pineville, LA (Hunt, R.H., Co.) NRHP-listed[6]
  • Alumni Hall, Mississippi College, Clinton, MS (Hunt, R.H.)[9]
  • Asbury United Methodist Church, 1900 Bailey Avenue, Chattanooga, TN (Hunt, Reuben Harrison) NRHP-listed[6] closed 1984[10]
  • Brainerd Junior High, 4201 Cherryton Drive, Chattanooga, TN (Hunt, Reuben Harrison) NRHP-listed[6]
  • Courthouse in Cadiz Downtown Historic District, Cadiz, KY (Hunt, R.H.) NRHP-listed[6]
  • Calvary Baptist Church, 1300 West Capitol Street, Jackson, MS (Hunt, R.H.) NRHP-listed[11]
  • Central United Methodist Church Downtown Location, 27 Church Street, Asheville, NC (Hunt, Reuben H.)[12]
  • Central United Methodist Church, 201 East Third Ave., Knoxville, TN (Hunt, R.H. and Co.) NRHP-listed[6]
  • Chattanooga Bank Building, 8th Street, Chattanooga, TN (Hunt, Reuben Harrison) NRHP-listed[6]
  • Chattanooga Car Barns, 301 Market Street, Chattanooga, TN (Hunt, R.H.) NRHP-listed[6]
  • Chattanooga Electric Railway, 211-241 Market St., Chattanooga, TN (Hunt, Reuben Harrison) NRHP-listed[6]
  • Chrestman Hall, Mississippi College, Clinton, MS (Hunt, R.H.)[13]
  • Court Street Baptist Church, Portsmouth, VA.[14]
  • Dominion Outreach Worship Center, 119 29th Street, Newport News, VA (Hunt, R.H.) NRHP-listed, built for First Baptist Church Newport News[15]
  • Elbert County Courthouse, Courthouse Sq., Elberton, GA (Hunt, R.H.) NRHP-listed[6]
  • Farr Infirmary, Mississippi College, Clinton, MS (Hunt, R.H.)[16]
  • Fifth Avenue Baptist Church, 1135 Fifth Avenue, Huntington, WV (Hunt, R. H.)[17]
  • First Baptist Church Beaumont, 980 Broadway Street, Beaumont, TX (Hunt, R.H.)[18] closed[19]
  • First Baptist Church Birmingham, 2201 6th Avenue North, Birmingham, AL (Hunt, R.H.) destroyed[20]
  • First Baptist Church Clinton, 100 East College Street, Clinton, MS (Hunt, R.H.)[21]
  • First Baptist Church Education Building, 317 Oak Street, Chattanooga, TN (Hunt, Reuben Harrison) NRHP-listed[6]
  • First Baptist Church Hazlehurst, 151 Caldwell Drive, Hazlehurst, MS (Hunt, R.H.)[22]
  • First Baptist Church Muskogee, 111 South 7th Street, Muskogee, OK (Hunt, R.H.)[18]
  • First Baptist Church of Durham, 414 Cleveland Street, Durham, NC (Hunt, Reuben Harrison)[23]
  • First Baptist Church of Norfolk, 418 East Bute Street, Norfolk, VA (Hunt, Reuben H.) NRHP-listed[6]
  • First Methodist Church of Waco Downtown Location, 1300 Austin Avenue, Waco, TX (Hunt, R.H.) [24] built for Austin Avenue United Methodist Church[25][26][27]
  • First Presbyterian Church El Dorado, 300 E. Main, El Dorado, AR (Hunt, R. H., & Associates) NRHP-listed[6]
  • First Presbyterian Church Fordyce, AR 79B, Fordyce, AR (Hunt, Reuben Harrison) NRHP-listed[6]
  • First Presbyterian Church of Vicksburg, 1501 Cherry Street, Vicksburg, MS (Hunt, R.H.)[28]
  • First United Methodist Church Dallas, 1928 Ross Avenue, Dallas, TX (Hunt, R.H. and Greene, Herbert M.)[29][30]
  • First United Methodist Church Fort Smith, 200 North 15th Street, Fort Smith, AR (Hunt, R.H.)[18]
  • First United Methodist Church Greenwood, 310 West Washington Street, Greenwood, MS (Hunt, Reuben Harris) NRHP-listed[6][31]
  • First United Methodist Church Lenoir, 309 Church Street NW, Lenoir, NC,[32]
  • First United Methodist Church Ranger, 417 Elm Street, Ranger, TX (Hunt, R.H.)[18]closed in 2018[33]
  • Fountain Square, 600–622 Georgia Ave. and 317 Oak Street, Chattanooga, TN (Hunt, R.H.) NRHP-listed[6]
  • Grove, E. W. Henry County High School, Grove Blvd., Paris, TN (Hunt, R. H.) NRHP-listed[6]
  • Hamilton County Courthouse, West 6th Street and Georgia Avenue, Chattanooga, TN (Hunt, R.H.) NRHP-listed[6]
  • Henderson Hall, Tennessee Technological University, Dixie Avenue, Cookeville, TN (Hunt, Reuben H.,& Co.)
  • Henry County Courthouse, Court Square, Paris, TN (1896)
  • James Building, 735 Broad Street, Chattanooga, TN (Hunt, Rueben Harrison) NRHP-listed[6]
  • Joel W. Solomon Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse (Hunt, R.H., Shreve, Lamb and Harmon) (1934)
  • Kimsey Junior College, 244 TN 68, Ducktown, TN (Hunt, R.H.) NRHP-listed[6]
  • Lander College Old Main Building, Stanley Avenue and Lander Street, Greenwood, SC (Hunt, Reuben Harrison) NRHP-listed[6]
  • Lawrence County Courthouse, North side Broad Street between Jefferson and Washington Streets., Monticello, MS (Hunt, Reuben) NRHP-listed[6][34]
  • Lenoir Presbyterian Church, 1002 Kirkwood Street, Lenoir, NC (Hunt, R. H.)[35]
  • Lookout Mountain Hotel (1927), now Carter Hall on Covenant College campus. NRHP-listed in 2019.
  • Maclellan Building, 721 Broad Street, Chattanooga, TN (Hunt, R.H.) NRHP-listed[6]
  • McFarlin Memorial Auditorium, Southern Methodist University, 6405 Boaz Lane, Suite G38, Dallas, TX (Hunt, R.H.) NRHP-listed[6]
  • Medical Arts Building (Chattanooga, Tennessee), McCallie Avenue, Chattanooga, TN (Hunt, Reuben Harrison) NRHP-listed[6]
  • Miller Brothers Department Store, 629 Market Street, Chattanooga, TN (Hunt, Reuben H.) NRHP-listed[6]
  • Montgomery Hall, Mississippi State University campus, Starkville, MS (Hunt, R.H.) NRHP-listed[6]
  • Mount Olive Cathedral C.M.E. Church, 538 Dr. M.L. King Jr. Avenue, Memphis, TN (Hunt, R.H.) NRHP-listed, built for First Baptist Church[6][36][37]
  • Municipal Building, E. 11th Street, Chattanooga, TN (Hunt, Reuben Harrison) NRHP-listed[6]
  • Nathan L. Bachman School, 281 Anderson Pike, Walden, TN (Hunt, R.H. & Co.) NRHP-listed[6]
  • North Alexander School, North Alexander Avenue, Washington, GA 30673
  • Northside Presbyterian Church, 923 Mississippi Avenue, Chattanooga, TN (Hunt, Reuben Harrison) NRHP-listed, the one known Greek Revival work by Hunt in Hamilton County[6][7]
  • Old Library Building, 200 E. 8th Street, Chattanooga, TN (Hunt, Reuben Harrison) NRHP-listed[6]
  • Polk County Courthouse, Bounded by US 411 and Ward, Commerce and Main Streets., Benton, TN (Hunt, R.H. & Co. et al.) NRHP-listed[6]
  • Polk Street Methodist Church, 1401 South Polk Street, Amarillo, TX (Hunt, R.H., Co.) NRHP-listed[6][38][39][40]
  • Second Presbyterian Church, 700 Pine Street Chattanooga TN (Hunt, Reuben Harrison) NRHP-listed[6]
  • Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium, McCallie Avenue, Chattanooga, TN (Hunt, Reuben Harrison) NRHP-listed[6] (1922)
  • Soul's Harbor Deliverance Center, 1921 Avenue G, Birmingham, AL (Hunt, R. H.) built for First United Methodist Church of Ensley[41][42]
  • Southside Baptist Church, 1016 19th Street South, Birmingham, AL (Hunt, R.H.)[41]
  • Temple B'nai Sholom (Huntsville, Alabama), 103 Lincoln Street SE, Huntsville, AL (Hunt, R.H.) NRHP-listed[43]
  • Third Baptist Church, 527 Allen Street, Owensboro, KY (Hunt, R.H.) 1896
  • Tivoli Theater, 709 Broad Street, Chattanooga, TN (Hunt, Reuben Harrison) NRHP-listed[6]
  • Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, McCallie Avenue Chattanooga TN (Hunt, Reuben Harrison) NRHP-listed[6] collapsed 2011[44]
  • Frances Willard House, 615 Lindsay Street, Chattanooga, TN (Hunt, Reuben Harrison) NRHP-listed[6]
  • Union Presbyterian Church, 700 Fisk Avenue, Brownwood, TX (Hunt, R.H.)[18]
  • University Baptist Church, 102 S. Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, NC (Hunt, Reuben H.)[45]
  • Wisteria Hotel, Central Avenue, Winona, MS (Hunt, R.H. & Co.) NRHP-listed[6]
  • Wyatt Hall, 865 E. Third Street, Chattanooga, TN (Hunt, Reuben H.) NRHP-listed[6]
  • One or more works in Missionary Ridge Historic District, N. and S. Crest Road from Delong Reservation to 700 S. Crest Road, Chattanooga, TN (Hunt, Reuben Harrison) NRHP-listed[6]
  • One or more works in Paris Commercial Historic District, Along sections of E. and W. Wood, W. Washington, N. and S. Poplar, N. and S. Market, Fentress and W. Blythe Sts., Paris, TN (Hunt, Rueben H.) NRHP-listed[6]
  • One or more works in South Main Street Historic District, 200–422 S. Main Street, Pikeville, TN (Hunt, R. H.) NRHP-listed[6]
  • One or more works in Winona Commercial Historic District, Roughly bounded by Magnolia Street, Central Avenue, Carrollton Street and Sterling Avenue, Winona, MS (Hunt, R. H.) NRHP-listed[6]

References

  1. ^ Butler, Sara A., "TN Encyclopedia: REUBEN HARRISON HUNT", Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture, retrieved 2009-01-29
  2. ^ National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form: Buildings in Hamilton County Designed by R. H. Hunt, 1980
  3. ^ Townsend, Gavin (2010). "Chattanooga, Tennessee: A City Transformed" (PDF). Newsletter of the Southeast Chapter of the Society of Architectural Historians. 27 (2). Society of Architectural Historians.
  4. ^ Wilson, John (March 7, 2004), "Architect R.H. Hunt's "References"", The Chattanoogan, archived from the original on June 3, 2009, retrieved April 9, 2010
  5. ^ "Plans Accepted for Tabernacle; Work Will Begin", The Atlanta Georgian and News, vol. VI, no. 82, p. 7, November 8, 1907, retrieved April 8, 2010
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  7. ^ a b M. A. Carver (February 1979). "National Register of Historic Places Thematic Group: Buildings in Hamilton County Designed by R. H. Hunt".
  8. ^ a b "GSA - Find a Building". Joel W. Solomon Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, Chattanooga, TN: Building Overview. U.S. General Services Administration. 2009-08-24. Archived from the original on January 3, 2011.
  9. ^ "Property". www.apps.mdah.ms.gov. Retrieved 2025-08-20.
  10. ^ "Asbury United Methodist Church | The American Guild of Organists". Retrieved 2025-08-17.
  11. ^ "Property". www.apps.mdah.ms.gov. Retrieved 2025-08-20.
  12. ^ "Central Methodist Episcopal Church". ncarchitects.lib.ncsu.edu. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
  13. ^ "Property". www.apps.mdah.ms.gov. Retrieved 2025-08-20.
  14. ^ Ruegsegger, Bob (27 November 2019). "Court Street Baptist Church unveils historic marker". pilotonline.com. Retrieved 2020-07-14.
  15. ^ "First Baptist Church, Newport News – DHR". Retrieved 2025-08-18.
  16. ^ "Property". www.apps.mdah.ms.gov. Retrieved 2025-08-20.
  17. ^ Chambers, S. Allen Jr. (2018-08-01). "Fifth Avenue Baptist Church". SAH ARCHIPEDIA. Retrieved 2022-08-13.
  18. ^ a b c d e Men of Texas, c 1932: R.H. Hunt of R.H. Hunt & Co
  19. ^ "Our Story". www.fbcbeaumont.org. Retrieved 2025-08-17.
  20. ^ Boylen, Erica; Looper, Hannah; Wood, Rori (2019-12-17). "First Baptist Church of Birmingham". Magic City Religion. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
  21. ^ "Property". www.apps.mdah.ms.gov. Retrieved 2025-08-20.
  22. ^ "Property". www.apps.mdah.ms.gov. Retrieved 2025-08-20.
  23. ^ "Hunt, Reuben H. (1862-1938)". ncarchitects.lib.ncsu.edu. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
  24. ^ "First Methodist Church of Waco | You Belong Here". Retrieved 2025-08-12.
  25. ^ Willis, T. Bradford (26 July 2021). "Austin Avenue United Methodist Church (Waco)". tshaonline.org. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  26. ^ "Austin Avenue Methodist Church Historical Marker". www.hmdb.org. Retrieved 2025-08-18.
  27. ^ Drum, Windy (1954). "[Fire Damage on Austin Avenue Methodist Church]". The Portal to Texas History. Retrieved 2025-08-19.
  28. ^ "Property". www.apps.mdah.ms.gov. Retrieved 2025-08-20.
  29. ^ "Works of R.H. Hunt". sherrysharp.com. Retrieved 2025-08-14.
  30. ^ "An Atrium of Light by Nicholas McWhirter, AIA". Issuu. 2020-07-23. Retrieved 2025-08-20.
  31. ^ "Property". www.apps.mdah.ms.gov. Retrieved 2025-08-20.
  32. ^ "First Methodist Church South". ncarchitects.lib.ncsu.edu. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
  33. ^ "UMData | Church Profile". www.umdata.org. Retrieved 2025-08-16.
  34. ^ "Property". www.apps.mdah.ms.gov. Retrieved 2025-08-20.
  35. ^ "Lenoir Presbyterian Church". ncarchitects.lib.ncsu.edu. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
  36. ^ "About". Mount Olive Cathedral Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. Retrieved 2025-08-17.
  37. ^ "First Baptist Church / Mt. Olive CME Church Historical Marker". www.hmdb.org. Retrieved 2025-08-18.
  38. ^ beilue, BY jon mark. "Oldest church in Amarillo marks 125th anniversary". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Retrieved 2025-08-20.
  39. ^ Details - Polk Street United Methodist Church - Atlas Number 5507017577 - Atlas: Texas Historical Commission
  40. ^ "Polk Street United Methodist Church Historical Marker". www.hmdb.org. Retrieved 2025-08-20.
  41. ^ a b Schnorrenberg, John M. (2000). Aspiration: Birmingham's historic houses of worship. Richard Payne, Philip A. Morris, Marjorie Longenecker White, Birmingham Historical Society. Birmingham, Ala.: Birmingham Historical Society. ISBN 0-943994-26-8. OCLC 45381812.
  42. ^ "Ensley First United Methodist Church - Bhamwiki". www.bhamwiki.com. Retrieved 2025-08-17.
  43. ^ "Thursday Tours" (PDF). Alabama Historical Association Newsletter. Vol. 39, no. 1. Spring 2024. p. 15.
  44. ^ "Historic church on McCallie falls | Chattanooga Times Free Press". www.timesfreepress.com. 2011-05-12. Retrieved 2025-08-17.
  45. ^ "University Baptist Church". ncarchitects.lib.ncsu.edu. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
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