Newton James Tharp (July 28, 1867 – May 12, 1909) was an American architect and painter. He was thecity architect for San Francisco.[1] He was the namesake of the Newton J. Tharp Commercial School (1908–1952) on Grove Street in San Francisco.[2][3] He was a part of the firmTharp and Holmes.
After finishing his education, he worked in Chicago, and New York City.[4] Tharp returned to San Francisco in 1889, where he was initially working under architect Edward Robinson Swain, on theSan Francisco Ferry Building.[4] He became a partner of Tharp and Holmes with Edward L. Holmes until the summer of 1901.[7] This was followed by work with architectAlbert L. Farr prior to the1906 San Francisco earthquake.[4]
In October 1907, Tharp became the city architect of San Francisco, succeeding the late William Dennis Shea Sr. (1866–1931).[6] He was responsible for the design of local firehouses, hospitals, and schools. He held the role of city architect until his death.[6]
San Francisco General Hospital (built 1909), corner of 23rd and Potrero Street, San Francisco, California; Tharp designed the six earliest buildings with brick pattern work, in the 1930s the entrance was designed by Martin Rist[11]
Commercial High School (1910), Fell Street at Franklin Street, San Francisco, California; completed after his death, and named in his honor asNewton Tharp Commercial High School[11][15]
Hall of Justice (2nd version, built 1912), southeast corner ofKearny and Washington Streets, San Francisco, California; actively used from 1912–1961
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