Benton and Moore (ca. 1910-ca. 1915)
Founded:
Wilson, North Carolina, USA
Residences:
- Wilson, North Carolina
Trades:
- Architect
Building Types:
Styles & Forms:
Colonial Revival; Gothic Revival; Mission; Neoclassical
The architectural partnership of Benton and Moore of Wilson, North Carolina, was formed in about 1910 by Charles C. Benton, Sr., a native of Wilson, and Solon B. Moore, who arrived there a few years earlier. During their partnership that lasted until ca. 1915 the firm designed several imposing neoclassical edifices in Wilson including two hospitals, the Fidelity Mutual Life Building, the Gothic Revival style St. John’s African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, and a number of residences.
Developing a specialty in the growing health care business, beyond Wilson they designed the imposing, neoclassical Elizabeth City Hospital and, one of their last projects together, the simpler but similar Rainey Hospital in Burlington. The firm frequently sent notices of their projects to the Manufacturers’ Record. After the partnership ended, Charles C. Benton, Sr., formed the firm of Benton and Benton with his brother Frank W. Benton and took on projects in many communities, while Moore’s practice concentrated in Wilson.
For fuller accounts of each partner, see their biographical entries herein.
Ayden School
Contributors:Dates:1914
Location:Ayden, Pitt CountyStreet Address:W. 3rd St., Ayden, NC
Status:No longer standing
Type:Educational
Note:Manufacturers’ Record, Feb. 5, 1914.
B. J. Pully House
Contributors:Dates:1914
Location:Greenville, Pitt CountyStreet Address:Greenville, NC
Status:Unknown
Type:Residential
Note:Manufacturers’ Record, Feb. 19, 1914.
Borroughs-Pittman-Wheeler Co. Building
Contributors:Dates:Ca. 1915
Location:Scotland Neck, Halifax CountyStreet Address:Scotland Neck, NC
Status:Unknown
Type:Commercial
Note:The Manufacturers’ Record of April 2, 1914, noted that Benton and Moore had planned a building for the Borroughs-Pittman-Wheeler Co., 50 by 106 feet, 3 stories.
Cooper Building
Contributors:Dates:1914
Location:Fayetteville, Cumberland CountyStreet Address:Fayetteville, NC
Status:Unknown
Type:Commercial
Note:Manufacturers’ Record, Feb. 19, 1914.
E. B. Ferguson House
Contributors:Dates:1914
Location:Greenville, Pitt CountyStreet Address:607 W. 4th St., Greenville, NC
Status:Standing
Type:Residential
Note:Manufacturers’ Record, Feb. 5, 1914. This was one of a several houses reported in the journal of that date as designed by this firm, including those for F. J. Forbes and B. J. Pully, for which no further information has been located.
Elizabeth City Hospital
Contributors:Dates:1914-1915
Location:Elizabeth City, Pasquotank CountyStreet Address:1301 Carolina Ave., Elizabeth City, NC
Status:Altered
Type:Health Care
Images Published In:Thomas R. Butchko, On the Shores of the Pasquotank: The Architectural Heritage of Elizabeth City and Pasquotank County, North Carolina (1989).
Note:The Manufacturers’ Record of March 5, 1914, reported that Dr. John Soliba and Benton and Moore, architects, would receive bids to erected the Elizabeth City Hospital, 3 stories, steam heat, tile roof, to cost $25,000. As pictured by Butchko, the edifice was among the most imposing hospital buildings of its day, a massive, generally symmetrical brick building, two stories on a raised basement with a Corinthian portico and dome more typical of a courthouse than a hospital. It was greatly altered later in the 20th century. In 1988 the architects’ original rendering was on display at the Albemarle Hospital. Its present whereabouts is uncertain.
F. J. Forbes House
Contributors:Dates:1914
Location:Greenville, Pitt CountyStreet Address:Greenville, NC
Status:Unknown
Type:Residential
Note:Manufacturers’ Record, Feb. 5, 1914.
Fayetteville Infirmary
Contributors:Variant Name(s):Cumberland General Hospital
Dates:1912
Location:Fayetteville, Cumberland CountyStreet Address:Fayetteville, NC
Status:Unknown
Type:Health Care
Note:The Manufacturers’ Record, June 27, 1912, said that Benton and Moore were preparing plans for a 4-story hospital in Fayetteville. On Aug. 1 the journal said that the Fayetteville Infirmary Co. had awarded a contract to Wilkins Construction Co. of Wilson—a 58 x 88 foot, 3-story facility of “mill construction,” with hot water heat, electric lighting, and a hand-operated elevator, to cost $15,000. It later became Cumberland General Hospital and still later a hotel.
Fidelity Mutual Life Building
Contributors:Dates:1926
Location:Wilson, Wilson CountyStreet Address:100 block Goldsboro St., Wilson, NC
Status:No longer standing
Type:Commercial
Note:The large, columned building, a major work by the firm, was among the most imposing commercial structures in Wilson.
Greenville Banking and Trust Building
Contributors:Dates:Ca. 1910
Location:Greenville, Pitt CountyStreet Address:471 S. Evans St., Greenville, NC
Status:Altered
Type:Commercial
Note:The Manufacturers’ Record of Jan. 2, 1913, reported that the Greenville Banking and Trust would erect a bank building from plans by Benton and Moore.
Hassell-James Building
Contributors:Variant Name(s):James and Hassell Office Building
Dates:1914
Location:Greenville, Pitt CountyStreet Address:105 W. 3rd St., Greenville, NC
Status:Standing
Type:Commercial
Note:Manufacturers’ Record, Feb. 5, 1914.
Mercy Hospital
Contributors:Variant Name(s):Wilson Hospital and Tubercular Home
Dates:1912-1913
Location:Wilson, Wilson CountyStreet Address:504 E. Green St., Wilson, NC
Status:Standing
Type:Health Care
Note:The Manufacturers’ Record, Jan. 1, 1912, reported that F. S. Hargraves, secretary of a company interested in building a hospital, had plans from Benton and Moore for a hospital 47 by 80, mill construction, electric lights, slate roof, steam heat, to cost $8,000. Built by Dr. Hargraves to serve black patients, the brick building with Doric portico was soon named Mercy Hospital. After years of being endangered, it has been rehabilitated for a new use.
Moore-Herring Hospital
Contributors:Dates:1914
Location:Wilson, Wilson CountyStreet Address:SW corner of Douglas St. and Greene St., Wilson, NC
Status:No longer standing
Type:Health Care
Note:The postcard view of the hospital features a rare example of a drawing signed by Benton and Moore.
Rainey Hospital
Contributors:Variant Name(s):Alamance General Hospital
Dates:1915-1916
Location:Burlington, Alamance CountyStreet Address:Rainey St., Burlington, NC
Status:Altered
Type:Health Care
Images Published In:Don Bolden, Burlington (2009).
Note:The Manufacturers’ Record of Jan. 14, 1915, reported that Benton and Moore of Wilson were architects for a hospital to be erected in Burlington, 75 x 80 feet, electric elevator, to cost $20,000. Sponsored by Dr. Rainey Parker and known as the Rainey Hospital, it is similar to but somewhat simpler than the Elizabeth City hospital. Later known as Alamance General Hospital and succeeded in the mid-20th century by a new facility, the large neoclassical building has been converted to a new use and has been altered with the addition of large wings.
St. John's African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
Contributors:John Barnes, brickmason; Charles C. Benton, Sr., architect; Benton and Moore, architects; Solon B. Moore, architectDates:1914-1915
Location:Wilson, Wilson CountyStreet Address:119 S. Pender St., Wilson, NC
Status:Standing
Type:Religious
Images Published In:Kate Ohno and Robert C. Bainbridge, Wilson, North Carolina, Historic Buildings Inventory (1980).
Note:The Manufacturers’ Record, of Feb. 5, 1914, reported that the firm had produced plans for an African Methodist Episcopal Church Building, 60 x 75 feet, $15,000. The handsome Gothic Revival church was erected in 1915 by local brickmason John Barnes.
W. E. Pace House
Contributors:Dates:1914
Location:Wilson, Wilson CountyStreet Address:Wilson, NC
Status:Unknown
Type:Residential
Note:The Manufacturers’ Record, of April 2, 1914, noted that Benton and Moore had planned a brick veneered house for W. E. Pace.
W. L. Best House
Contributors:Dates:1914
Location:Greenville, Pitt CountyStreet Address:537 Evans St., Greenville, NC
Status:No longer standing
Type:Residential
Note:Manufacturers’ Record, Feb. 5, 1914.
Wilson Hotel
Contributors:Dates:1912
Location:Wilson, Wilson CountyStreet Address:Wilson, NC
Status:Unknown
Type:Commercial
Note:The Manufacturers’ Record of June 27, 1912, reported that the Wilson Hotel Company had plans by Benton and Moore for a hotel with electric elevator and asbestos roof, to cost $45,000. It is not clear whether it was built or what name it was known by.