Architects of Little Rock: 1833-1950

Thomas Harding Sr.

THOMAS HARDING SR., son of the designer of the fine new St. Andrew’s Cathedral, was, quite fittingly, the first person baptized there. He was born March 24, 1885, in Little Rock, and with his brother Rome got the beginnings of his architectural interest and education in his father’s office. In his early teens, in 1898, Harding began working for the very successful architect Charles Thompson. Harding’s work was highly regarded and, in time, Thompson turned more and more responsibility for the architectural office over to him. Thompson offered Harding a partnership in 1916, and this arrangement lasted until 1925 (projects completed during this partnership are listed in the Charles Thompson chapter), when Harding began a solo practice that lasted until his retirement. Harding lived on Broadway between TwentyFourth and Twenty-Fifth Streets in the house designed by his father. He and his wife, Mary Rice Harding, raised two sons, Thomas Harding Jr. and Patrick Harding. Thomas Jr. attended architecture school at Washington University in St. Louis and practiced with his father until World War II. His service in the military involved photography, and after the war he became a successful Little Rock photographer. Patrick was a real estate professional. Thomas Sr. had an interesting hobby. Having designed the Central Fire Station, he became quite an admirer of the hard-working, brave firemen of the city and would show up at any major conflagration with a thermos of hot coffee and first-aid equipment. He was greatly appreciated and honored by the city for his “volunteer” activity. He was an active member of the Little Rock Engineers Club, the American Institute of Architects, and St. Andrew’s Cathedral parish. He died February 28, 1958, in Little Rock. 30 ◆ THOMAS HARDING SR. Thomas Harding Sr. Thomas Harding Sr. Courtesy of the family collection of Thomas Harding III. THOMAS HARDING SR. ◆ 31 Exchange Building at Capitol Avenue and Main Street, Little Rock, Arkansas. Constructed in 1921 in the Neoclassical Revival style, it was designed by Thompson and Harding, Architects. Courtesy of Cindy Momchilov/CameraWork. 32 ◆ THOMAS HARDING SR. Federal Reserve Building at Third and Louisiana Streets, Little Rock, Arkansas, constructed in 1924. This substantial building, designed in the Neoclassical style by Thompson and Harding, Architects, now houses the eStem Public Charter School. Courtesy of Cindy Momchilov/CameraWork. Winfield Methodist Church at Louisiana and Sixteenth Streets, Little Rock, Arkansas. Constructed in 1921 in the Gothic Revival style, it was designed by Thompson and Harding, Architects. Courtesy of Cindy Momchilov/CameraWork. ...