Rocheford & Gould facts for kids

Rocheford & Gould was an important company in early Omaha, Nebraska. They made bricks and built many buildings. This company helped Omaha change from wooden buildings to stronger brick ones.

They built all sorts of places. This included schools, theaters, and even power stations. Many of their buildings are gone now. But some of their first projects still stand. These old buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are important historical sites.

History of Rocheford & Gould

William Rocheford was born in St. Albans, Vermont in 1851. His father was a mason, so William learned about building early. He moved to Omaha in 1879. There, he worked with Henry Livesey, who also made bricks and built things.

In 1880, William Rocheford started his own business. He partnered with Frank P. Gould, who was from New York. Their new company was called Rocheford & Gould. They opened a brickyard in Omaha. A brickyard is where bricks are made.

By 1892, their brickyard was very busy. Their kilns (special ovens for baking bricks) made 50,000 bricks every day! The brickyard was used until 1928. That's when they ran out of clay to make bricks.

Rocheford & Gould stopped working together in 1906. But both partners kept building. Frank Gould took over the brickyard. He started a new company with his son. They built commercial buildings. William Rocheford also started a company with his son. His new company mainly built homes for rent.

William Rocheford died in 1913. He was in a car accident. Frank P. Gould, his old business partner, was one of the people who carried his coffin. Frank Gould passed away in 1916 after being sick for a while.

Famous Buildings They Built

Rocheford & Gould and their related companies built many important structures. Some are still standing today. Others have been replaced.

Buildings by Hadden, Rocheford & Gould

Mason School, Omaha, Nebraska

• Mason School: This school was built in 1888 in Omaha, Nebraska. It is located at 1012 South 24th Street. This building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. This means it's a very important historical place.

Buildings by Rocheford, Gould & Gladden

Portland, Oregon City Hall around 1922

• Portland City Hall: This city hall was built in 1893 in Portland, Oregon. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

Buildings by Rocheford & Gould

• Knutsford Hotel: Built in 1891 in Salt Lake City, Utah. This was a large, fancy hotel with 250 rooms. It was made completely of granite. It later became a department store before it was torn down.
• Krug Brewery: Built in 1893 in Omaha, Nebraska. This was a place where beer was made. It was later bought by another company and has since been torn down.
• Creighton Orpheum Theater: This theater was built in 1895 in Omaha, Nebraska. It was built very quickly! The first show was just five months after building started. It was torn down in 1926. A new Orpheum Theater was built in its place.
• Creighton Medical College: Built in 1895 on the Creighton College campus in Omaha. This building has been torn down.
• Armour Packing Plant: Built in 1897 in South Omaha, Nebraska. This was a large factory for processing meat. It has been torn down.
• Cass School: Built in 1899 in Omaha, Nebraska.
• Metz Brewery Addition: An addition to the Metz Brewery, built in 1899 in Omaha, Nebraska.
• Bennett's Department Store: Built in 1901 in Downtown Omaha, Nebraska.
• The Auditorium: This was the first main city auditorium in Omaha, Nebraska. It was built in 1903. It was later replaced by the Omaha Civic Auditorium.
• Krug Theater: Built in 1903 in Omaha, Nebraska.
• Crane & Co. Building: Built in 1905 in Omaha, Nebraska.
• Auditorium Addition: An addition to The Creighton Memorial St. Joseph Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska.
• McCague Building: Located at 15th and Dodge Streets in Omaha, Nebraska.
• Barker Block: Located in Omaha, Nebraska.

Buildings by Rocheford & Son

• Creighton Pharmacy College: Built in 1909. This was an addition to the Creighton Medical College. It has been torn down.

Buildings by F. P. Gould & Son

Rosewater School, Omaha, Nebraska

Scottish Rite Cathedral, Omaha, Nebraska

Burt County, Nebraska Courthouse

• Original Methodist Hospital: Built in 1906 in Omaha, Nebraska. The first plan for this building was given to Rocheford & Gould. But problems with money delayed it. When work started again, F. P. Gould & Son finished the job. It has been torn down.
• Burwood Theater: Built in 1906 in Omaha, Nebraska. It was later renamed The Gayety Theater. It has been torn down.
• Hotel Loyal: Built in 1907 in Omaha, Nebraska. It has been torn down.
• Rosewater School: Built in 1910 in Omaha, Nebraska. This building is now called Rosewater Apartments. It was named an Omaha Landmark in 1984. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.
• First Church of Christ Scientist: Built in 1910 in Omaha, Nebraska. This building is still used as a church today.
• The Odd Fellows' Home: Built in 1910 in York, Nebraska.
• Scottish Rite Cathedral: Built in 1912 in Omaha, Nebraska. This building is still used by the Scottish Rite group. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2011.
• Miller Park Elementary School: Built in 1912 in Omaha, Nebraska. The original school building was replaced by a new one in 1928.
• Burt County Courthouse: Built in 1916 in Tekamah, Nebraska. This building is still in use today.
• Boyle's College: Located at 1805 Harney Street in Omaha, Nebraska.