Charles M. Bartberger
Industrial Bank, Fourth Avenue
Often confused with his father Charles F. Bartberger. A city historic survey attributes the elder’s works to the younger; the Wikipedia article on “Charles Bartberger” attributes the younger’s works to the elder. The elder Bartberger designed churches in the middle and later 1800s; the younger had a more diverse practice, but made a specialty of schools, giving us some distinguished school buildings.
Architect’s Drawing of a House for J. J. Matthews, Negley Avenue (American Architect and Building News)
The J. J. Matthews House in 2022
A biography of Charles M. Bartberger was published in History of Pittsburgh and Environs, American Historical Society, Inc., 1922. We reprint it here.
CHARLES MATHIAS BARTBERGER—If the story of construction work in Pittsburgh could be written in full, there would be long lists of names enrolled on its pages of men who have contributed to the physical development of the city which has resulted in its present splendor. Prominent among these names would be that of Charles Mathias Bartberger, for forty-seven years an architect in Pittsburgh.
Mr. Bartberger is a son of Charles and Agatha Bartberger, of Pittsburgh. Charles Bartberger was prominent in the fifties, sixties and seventies in Pittsburgh; his son is only following in his footsteps in making a life-work of the art of architecture, for Charles Bartberger was an architect of unusual talent, one of the finest examples of his work being the old St. Paul’s Cathedral, which was located on the corner of Grant and Fifth streets, and is well remembered by most older residents of the city to-day. He was also the architect of the old First Presbyterian Church, which stood at the corner of Sixth avenue and Wood street, being built in the early fifties. Charles Bartberger had the unique distinction, not altogether a pleasant one, of having been injured in the first wreck on the Pennsylvania railroad, and was on that occasion attended by Dr. McClellan, father of General George B. McClellan. He died in August, 1896.
Charles Mathias Bartberger was born in Pittsburgh, Feb. 23, 1850. He received a practical education in the public schools of the city. At the age of fifteen years he entered the world of industry, and was employed by the Mcintosh-Hemphill Company as an apprentice machinist. The young man was, however, deeply interested in the work which his father was making a successful life-work, and in 1870 went to Germany, which was then considered the fountain head of all technical knowledge, to prepare for a similar career. He entered a technical school in Carlsruhe, in the Grand Duchy of Baden, and there studied architecture for three years. Returning to Pittsburgh in 1873, he was employed by a city architect as draftsman, and continued in this work until 1881.
In that year Mr. Bartberger established an office of his own in Pittsburgh, and has been prominent in this profession here since that time. For a number of years he specialized in building school houses, and among others which owe their symmetry and practical convenience to his designs are the Friendship School, the Peabody Margaretta High School, and the Fort Pitt School. For a number of years past the firm has specialized in bakeries. Their general architectural practice is very extensive, and embraces every branch of the art. Mr. Bartberger took a son into the business with him some years ago, and their spacious offices in the Westinghouse building are the scene of a large proportion of the pre-constructive work which is contributing so materially to the growth and prosperity of the city.
Mr. Bartberger is broadly connected outside his business with the social and fraternal life of Pittsburgh. He is a member of McCandless Lodge, No. 390, Free and Accepted Masons; of Pittsburgh Chapter, No. 268, Royal Arch Masons; Duquesne Commandery, No. 72, Knights Templar; and has taken his thirty-third degree in Masonry. He is also a member of Syria Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.
Mr. Bartberger married, in Pittsburgh, May 25, 1876, Emma E. Demmler, of this city, and they have three sons and six daughters. The family home is at No. 408 Pacific avenue, where Mr. and Mrs. Bartberger have resided for forty years.
Here are a few of Bartberger’s buildings:
| Building | Date |
|---|---|
| Fort Pitt Elementary School, Garfield | 1905 |
| Fulton Elementary School, Highland Park | 1894 |
| Industrial Bank, 333 Fourth Avenue | 1903 |
| Lee Public School, Beechview | 1911 |
| Liberty School No. 4, Friendship Bldg (Friendship School) | 1899 |
| J. J. Matthews House, 623 N. Negley | 1902 |
