Samuel Hannaford

Samuel Hannaford was the head of the most prolific and probably most successful architectural firm in Cincinnati from before the Civil War until he retired in 1900. The firm, under the leadership of his son and others, lasted until the 1960s. It has been described as a real architectural dynasty.

Personal Life

Mr. Hannaford was born in Britain, as were many of the leading architects in the Cincinnati area around the period of the Civil War. His family brought him here, to Cheviot, when he was a child.

He attended the farmer's college for a very short time, before he co-edited a satirical magazine which led to his dismissal.

Like most architects in the mid 19th century, it is believed he went to the Ohio Mechanic's Institute. However, Mr. Hannaford was basically trained in a firm of practicing architects.

As an adult, Hannaford lived in Winton Place, near Spring Grove Cemetery. He reportedly was the first and only mayor of Winton Place before it was annexed into the city. In his community, he was a prominent member of the Methodist Church, which he designed. Hannaford was married twice, and had a number of children by both his wives.

Designing Music Hall

Samuel Hannaford joined Edward Anderson, his first partner, in the late 1850s. The partnership lasted until about 1870. During that time they designed well over 100 buildings. Their first major landmark commission was the old workhouse, a civic landmark in the Mill Creek Valley.

There was competition among architectural firms to get the winning bid for Music Hall. The leading firm bidding for the work was Ware and Van Brunt, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, whose architects were described as "avant-garde" for the period.

The winning design, of course, went to Samuel Hannaford and his partner Edward Procter, who had recently joined the company. The name should sound familiar; Edward was the son of one of the founders of Procter & Gamble.

A Rough Start

On May 23, 1876, the firm of Hannaford & Procter, whose bid of $1,500 was the lowest, was engaged as architects for Music Hall.

Once the construction started, a dispute occurred over the quality of the limestone masonry. The work completed so far needed to be torn down and reconstructed—an additional, unexpected expense. This also caused a delay, as everyone hoped to have the May Festival in the hall in 1877.

Design modification was needed, and fast, if the hall was to be completed in time for the 1878 May Musical Festival.

Hannaford's firm quickly revised the plans and specifications. By summer 1877 the work could begin again.

Designing Music Hall's Renovation

In addition to having been hired for the original design, Hannaford's firm was tapped for the design for the wings. Then, they again were retained for the 1896 remodeling. It was Hannaford's firm which would modify the structure to make it easier to present opera and other performances.

The 1896 work was major:

• A proscenium wall would be constructed
• The organ was moved to the back of the stage, against the wall
• The floor was changed from a four-foot pitch to twice that
• They designed a new seating arrangement
• A new electric lighting system, and new heating and ventllation was installed

Hannaford-Designed Structures in Cincinnati

Throughout his career as an architect, Hannaford and his firm designed quite a few structures in Cincinnati, many of which are still standing. The list includes St. George Church (dedicated in 1874), Cincinnati City Hall (1893), Nast-Trinity Methodist Church (1881), the Elsinore Arch/Tower (1883), the Cincinnati Times-Star Building (1933), Emery Theatre (1912), and the Cincinnatian Hotel (1882).

While he's known for designing so many public buildings, Hannaford also designed a great number of prominent residences. Most notably, his work included "Parkview Manor," the mansion owned by George Barnesdale Cox, aka "Boss Cox." The home was recently renovated and is now the Clifton branch of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County.

Remembering Samuel Hannaford

Hannaford himself has been honored as a subject of an ArtWorks Mural. Titled "The Vision of Samuel Hannaford," the mural can be found on the side of a building in the 1300 block of Race Street, a block from Music Hall. Three of his landmarks, including Music Hall, are also featured.

The Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library features a blog with biographical information on Hannaford, as well as an online scrapbook of Hannaford's architectural drawings.