Editorial: Architect Kimball a good choice Nebraska Hall of Fame – Omaha World-Herald

A state commission has made a fitting choice in naming architect Thomas Rogers Kimball (1862-1934) as the next addition to the Nebraska Hall of Fame. Its a fitting choice, in that Kimball contributed to Nebraskas progress in major ways over the course of his career.

Consider Kimballs first significant architectural commission, in the early 1890s the original Omaha public library building at 1823 Harney St.

With its ambitious Renaissance revival style and bas-relief depictions of philosophical and literary figures, the library was hailed at its dedication as a symbol of Omahas determination to be a stronger, more ambitious city moving into the 20th century.

Kimballs subsequent architectural works included major structures that stand out for their creative vision and continue to do Nebraska proud.

Two examples are St. Cecilia Cathedral, in which Kimball pioneered the use of the Spanish Renaissance style in the United States, and the powerful design of the Hall County Courthouse in Grand Island.

The capstone for Kimballs contributions to Nebraska came in the selection process he established in the 1920s to select a designer for the Nebraska State Capitol. The double-blind competition process eliminated the possibility of favoritism and enticed nationally respected architects to submit proposals.

The winning design, by Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue, resulted in one of the most lauded state capitol concepts in the nation, a source of Nebraska pride to this day.

President Theodore Roosevelt named Kimball in 1909 to serve on a national commission overseeing design ideas for public monuments. Kimball was president of the American Institute of Architects during 1918-20.

Kimball whose postsecondary education included studies in Boston and Paris was an adviser for projects such as the state capitol in Missouri and a state war memorial in Indiana. His commissions included designs for 167 residential buildings and 162 nonresidential structures.

The Nebraska Hall of Fame Commission had a set of 12 impressive finalists to consider. Given his laudable contributions to the development of the state, Kimball is unquestionably a worthy addition.

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Editorial: Architect Kimball a good choice Nebraska Hall of Fame - Omaha World-Herald