Background
Frank Rushmore Watson was born in 1859 in Frankford, United States.
Frank Rushmore Watson was born in 1859 in Frankford, United States.
He was graduated at the Central High School in Philadelphia in 1877. Later Mr. Watson spent a year in Europe, attending architectural Atliers in France.
He began architectural training under the late E. F. Durang, a specialist in church work. On leaving his office, Watson spent a year in Europe, attending architectural Atliers in France, and returned to Philadelphia in 1883 prepared to set up practice for himself in the city.
Nearly twenty years later (in 1902) he became a partner in the firm of Huckel & Watson, and as specialists in church work the firm attained a reputation in designing such buildings as the Catholic Church of the Epiphany, Muhlenberg College Chapel in Allentown, and the Parish House of St. Boniface in Philadelphia; St. Mary's Episcopal church in Frankford, and Christ Church in Norfolk, Va. Huckel & Watson were also architects of the Cumberland County Court House at Bridgeton, N. J.
After Mr. Huckel’s death in 1917, Watson carried on work without associates for five years, subsequently organized a new firm, Watson, Edkins & Thompson with offices at #1520 Locust Street. In 1935 when Edkins left the firm, Watson continued in association with Henry Heyl Thompson during his remaining years.
A well known member of the profession, elected to the Philadelphia Chapter, A.I.A. in 1901 and raised to Institute Fellowship in 1930, Mr. Watson was also prominently identified with the Philadelphia Art Alliance.