When most people think of, or visit Columbus, Indiana, they immediately think of modern architecture. These same people are probably surprised to find a wonderful architectural heritage still remains dating back to the late 1800’s. The Columbus Indiana Architectural Archives not only wants to preserve the modern and most recent architectural documentation, but also the rich heritage of the past.  

The most influential architect in Columbus during the 1880s and 1890s was Charles Franklin Sparrell. Very little is known about Mr. Sparrell’s personal life, but he arrived on the scene in Columbus around 1881. He was born in Boston in 1852, and attended a technical institute in Massachusetts, though it is not known if his study was actually architecture.

He worked for Samuel Hege & Company lumber company as a shop foreman in 1882. By 1890, Sparrell had designed not only the original Crump Theater, but also the Methodist church, and numerous personal residences. By this time, he could advertise himself as an architect, and did so by claiming “school, church, opera house plans a specialty.” He had offices listed at 330, 332, and 334 Fifth Street, and had his own employees.  

[ all photos by Rhonda Bolner ]

Several of Mr. Sparrell’s surviving buildings are of Victorian Romanesque style. Among these are :

 > Columbus City Hall (Columbus Inn),
 > Maple Grove/Garfield School (BCSC Admin. Bldg.),
 > McKinley School ( McKinley Apartments).

Other noted public downtown buildings designed by Mr. Sparrell are :

 > First United Methodist Church
 > Washington School
 > U.S. Post Office (Viewpoint Books)
 > The Fehring Block ( Irwin Financial)
 > The International Order of Odd Fellows Building (now condominiums)

Personal residences were also designed by Charles Sparrell. It is quite possible that influential families of Columbus during this time would have wanted a home designed by a prominent local architect. Known homes designed by Mr. Sparrell, and still in use today, are :

 > Prall house : 5th & Lafayette
 > F.T. Crump house : 1022 Washington
 > Arthur Overstreet house : 11th & Washington Streets
 > William Ruddick house (Ruddick-Nugent House Bed & Breakfast)

Charles Sparrell left his mark on Columbus during approximately 20 years that he called it his home. He left Columbus sometime around 1900. After that time, his life remains somewhat of a mystery. He died in Newport, Kentucky in 1934, at the age of 82. His death certificate states that he was a pattern maker & draftsman.