Cumberland in Allegany County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Wright Butler House
205 Columbia Street
has been placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
c. 1896
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1896.
Location. 39° 39.413′ N, 78° 45.789′ W. Marker is in Cumberland, Maryland, in Allegany County. Marker is on Columbia Street, 0.1 miles west of Polk Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 205 Columbia Street, Cumberland MD 21502, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Church of Saint Patrick (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Baptist Church (about 700 feet away); Town Clock Church (about 700 feet away); On This Site Catholic Education In Western Maryland Began (about 700 feet away); Francis Asbury Hall (about 700 feet away); Church of St. Patrick, Cumberland (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Mass On This Site (approx. 0.2 miles away); Metropolitan A.M.E. Church (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cumberland.
Also see . . . Nomination Form. The form was prepared by Ronald L. Andrews of Tri-Countv Council for Western Maryland,
this page online
Two-hundred five Columbia Street was the home of Wright Butler (1868-1932), one of Cumberland's leading architects at the turn of the century.(Submitted on September 28, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)
Butler's work is of major importance to the architectural heritage of his native Cumberland. A son of one of the city's foremost manufacturer's of furniture, Butler studied architecture at the Maryland Institute of Baltimore for about three years before opening an office in 1891 in Cumberland. (History of Allegany County, Vol. II, p. 767.) His first major commission was the Allegany County Courthouse (1893-1894) which stands on Prospect Square in the Washington Street Historic District. The Courthouse is a massive brick and stone structure that dominates the city's skyline. Other important works of his that still stand are the Neo-classical facaded Masonic Temple (1911) on Green Street near the Courthouse and the present Liberty Bank Building (early 1900's) of the southwest corner of Baltimore and Centre Streets in the central business district. The Liberty Bank Building, erected originally for the Third National Bank, is six stories high and is one of the first "skyscraper" form structures in Cumberland that was made possible by the introduction of the elevator.
Butler's residence indicateshis familiarity with current architectural styles. The unassuming appearance of his own residence contrasts markedly with his dramatic courthouse on Prospect Square. It is probably that Butler's own house represents a more accurate statement of his position in Cumberland (local architect and son of a prosperous furniture maker) than the braggadocio of his first known work, the courthouse.
Two-hundred five Columbia Street is an example of Queen Anne style suburban domestic architecture. It was erected in the late 1890's and is one of four houses along Columbia Street that are believed to be Butler's work. Butler leased the property from his parents in 1896 and gained full title in 1907.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 7, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 244 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 7, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
