Charles Ashley Smith (1866-1948) Kansas City Missouri (A.I.A)

Charles Ashley Smith was born in Ohio in March 1866 but moved with his family to Iowa in 1874. Smith began his architectural career in Des Moines at age 16 as a draftsman in the firm Bell & Hackney. When William Hackney decided to open an office in Kansas City in 1887, Smith moved with him. Smith worked with Hackney on designs for the Kansas City Board of Education and several new schools and additions are attributed to both men. When Hackney died in 1898, Smith was appointed his replacement as architect for the Board of Education. Charles A. Smith retired from the position in 1936, having designed over 50 renovations and new school buildings in 38 years. Smith designed public elementary, middle, and high school buildings in a wide variety of exterior cladding materials, sizes, floor plans, and popular architectural styles.

Early in the twentieth century, Smith was noted for designs that incorporated "scientific ventilation and other sanitary features." Although there is no reference to specific systems, these features were reportedly adopted in other public school designs across the country. In addition to being a member of the Kansas City chapter of the American Institute of Architects, Smith was also a member of the American Society of Heating & Ventilating Engineers.

During his tenure as architect for the Board of Education, Smith was also a principal in the prominent local firm Smith, Rea & Lovitt from 1910 to 1921. This firm designed the YMCA Building at 1822-28 The Paseo and the Kansas City Club at 1228 Baltimore. Throughout his career, Charles A. Smith designed many notable civic, commercial, religious, and residential buildings in Kansas City. Charles Smith died in 1948.