Charles Lembke

Background

Lembke was born in Valparaiso in 1865.

Education

He completed his education in Valparaiso, then going on to Valparaiso University, completing his education in the School of Architecture at the University of Chicago.

Career

Lembke built many downtown Valparaiso-area buildings, such as the Memorial Opera House (National Register, 1984), Carnegie public Library, Hotel Lembke, and several local schools. Because state law would not allow an architect to build the structure he designed, Charles managed the design business and Henry managed the construction business. They built much of what they designed.

Charles grandson stated in 1966 that the family felt that Charles best work as DeMotte Hall on the campus of Valparaiso University.

Constructed in 1915 as the Agriculture and Domestic Science Building, the building served the university after 1959 as the Valparaiso School of Law. Charles Lembke contributed a significant number of structures to Valparaiso and Porter County.

He is credited with 28 residences, 18 schools, and 27 business. between 1900 and 1923. 1871, Porter County Jail, South. Washington, builder

1881, Telephone Building, architect

1890, Lembke House, 304 Morgan Saint, Valparaiso

1890, Vidette Messenger Building, 163-167 West. Lincolnway, architect

1891, Christian Hospital, 108 East. Jefferson Saint, architect, razed ca 1978

1893, Memorial Hall, 104 East. Indiana, architect

1895, Center Township District Number.

1 School, aka Flint Lake School, Social Research 49 at 500 North., architect, razed 2000

1896, Jackson Township District Number.

5 School, 300 East, architect

1898, Columbia School, 500 East. Indiana, architect, razed 1965

1899, Gardner School, West. Jefferson Street, builder

ca. 1900; Center Township District Number. 3 School, architect,

1900.

Science Building (Baldwin Hall), Valparaiso University, College Place.

Razed 1996

1992

1904, Valparaiso Central School, 305 North. Franklin Saint, architect, burned 1938

1905, Porter County Home, south South.R. 2

1905, Steve L. Finney House/Joseph Urschel House, 202 North. Michigan, architect

1906, Doctor David J. Loring Residence and Clinic, 102 North. Washington Street, architect

1906-1907, Biology and Medical Building, Valparaiso University, College Place, architect, razed ca 1995

1907, Lembke Hall, Valparaiso University, South. College Saint (demolished 1996)

ca 1910. Music Hall (Kinsey Hall), Valparaiso University, College Saint, architect, burned 1970

1912-1913, Charles Thune House, 357 West. Jefferson Street, builder

1914, Valparaiso Carnegie Library, 107 East. Jefferson Saint, builder. demolished 1995

1915, ca.

Agriculture and Domestic Science Building, Valparaiso University, College at Freeman, architect. In 1959, it was renamed DeMotte Hall

1923, Hotel Lembke, 23 North. Lafayette Saint at Jefferson, builder, razed 1988

Auto Dealership, 212-216 East. Lincolnway, architect, first poured concrete structure in Valparaiso.

Memorial Theater, West. Lincolnway, architect,

Premier Theater, North. Franklin, architect

Specht-Finney Building, Main (Lincolnway) at Franklin, architect

Saint Clair School, Union Township, 5 miles (80 km) west of Cooks Corner Elementary School., architect, razed ca 1943

Bogarte Building, Bookstore, at Valparaiso University.

Charles Lambke was awarded three patents on internal combustion engines.

Achievements

• At the Paris Exposition of 1900, the French Society of Architects awarded Charles Lembke First Place and the Gold medal for the best two-room school house made of brick. This was the Center Township District Number.