Nathaniel Henry Hutton facts for kids
Nathaniel Henry Hutton was an important American architect and civil engineer. He was born in Washington, D.C., on November 18, 1833, and passed away in Baltimore, Maryland, on May 8, 1907. Hutton explored the American West as a surveyor in the 1850s. During the American Civil War, he helped defend Baltimore for the Union Army. After the war, he started his own architecture business in Baltimore. From 1876 until his death, he worked for the Harbor Board of Baltimore. He served as an engineer, chief engineer, and even president of the board.
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Hutton's Family Life
Nathaniel Henry Hutton, often called "Harry," was the youngest son in his family. He had four older siblings. His parents were James Hutton and Salome Rich. Salome's brother, William Rich, was a famous botanist and explorer. Nathaniel's brothers, William Rich Hutton and James D. Hutton, were also talented. William was an artist, surveyor, and engineer. James was an artist, mapmaker, and early photographer.
Hutton married Meta M. Van Ness. They had three children: a son named Nathaniel Henry Hutton, Jr., and two daughters, Meta Van Ness Hutton and Julia Van Ness Hutton.
Hutton's Career and Work
Nathaniel Henry Hutton had a long and interesting career. He worked on many important projects across the United States.
Early Surveys and Explorations
From 1853 to 1856, Hutton worked as an Assistant Engineer for the U.S. government. He helped explore the American West for the Pacific Railroad Surveys. These surveys looked for the best routes to build a railroad across the country. He explored areas near the 32nd and 35th parallels. This included surveys for a route from Fort Smith to Los Angeles.
For the Department of the Interior, Hutton was the chief engineer for the El Paso and Fort Yuma wagon road. This road was later used by the Butterfield Overland Mail service. He also worked as a surveyor on the western border of Minnesota in 1859 and 1860.
Civil War Service and Post-War Projects
During the American Civil War, Hutton served as a U.S. Assistant Engineer. He helped build and maintain the Union Army defenses around Baltimore from 1861 to 1865. He earned the rank of Major during this time.
After the war ended, he continued to work for the U.S. government. From 1867 to 1876, he was in charge of improving the Patapsco River. He also surveyed the Western division of the Virginia Central Water Line. Hutton was a founding member and vice president of the Engineers' Club of Baltimore.
Architectural Work
Around 1867, Hutton started an architectural business with John Murdoch. They designed and built churches, homes, and warehouses in Baltimore, Washington, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. One of their notable works is the St. Peter's Protestant Episcopal Church, built in 1868. This church is now known as the Baltimore Bethel A. M. E. Church and is a registered historical site.
From 1873 to 1880, Hutton worked with his older brother, William Rich Hutton, in an architectural practice. Nathaniel Hutton was also a founding member of the Baltimore Chapter of the American Institute of Architects in 1870. He served as the Chapter's first Secretary and later became President.
Harbor Board and Canal Projects
From 1876 until his death, Hutton was an engineer for the Harbor Board of Baltimore. He eventually became the Chief Engineer and then the president of the board. His work was very important for the city's port.
He also worked on surveys for a ship canal to connect the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays. Later, he was a consulting engineer for projects to build ship canals connecting Philadelphia to the Atlantic Ocean and Lake Erie to the Ohio River.
Nathaniel Henry Hutton passed away in Baltimore on May 8, 1907. His wife died a few months later. They are buried in Greenmount Cemetery in Baltimore.
