John Rochester Thomas (6/12/1848-8/2/1901) New York, New York

One of New York's noted architects of the late nineteenth century, Thomas was reputed to have designed more buildings in the city than any other architect of his time. He was a native of Rochester, New York, and in his youth studied architecture in offices and under Dr. Anderson at Rochester University. Following two years in European schools, he returned to Rochester, and in 1874 was appointed by Governor Tilden as Architect and sole Commissioner of the State Reformatory in Elmira. Resigning that position in 1877, Thomas established an office for private practice in Rochester and among other works, was commissioned to design Sibley Hall and buildings for the Theological Seminary at the City University.

In 1884 he decided to start practice in New York City, a successful move that brought him work and wide recognition during the rest of his life. Among his important buildings were the Calvary Baptist Church on West 57th Street; the Hayes Building on Maiden Lane, a remodeling of the Stock Exchange; the Second Reformed Church on Lenox Avenue; the Willard Asylum at Seneca Lake; New Jersey State Reformatory at Rahway; and a number of Armories in New York and other cities. He is better remembered, however, as architect of the Hall of Records built at the corner of Clinton and Chambers Streets between 1896 and 1910, completed after his death and opened in 1911.