George Caleb Wright


George Caleb Wright, AIA, was an American architect from Indiana. He was a partner in the Indianapolis, Indiana architectural firms of Pierre & Wright, Vonnegut, Wright & Yeager, and Wright, Porteous & Lowe, and was later chief building inspector for the City of Indianapolis.

Early life and education

Wright was born April 25, 1889 in Libertyville, Illinois, where he attended his education until the high school level. He then attended the University of Illinois from 1908–1912, earning a degree in architecture and engineering.

Early career

He worked for the International Harvester Company from 1912–1915, George C. Nimmons & Co. from 1915–1923, Herbert Foltz from 1923–1925 until he formed Pierre & Wright. In addition, he was a construction supervisor during World War I for the army. He relocated to Indianapolis, Indiana from Chicago in 1923.

Pierre & Wright (1925–1944)

Pierre & Wright, formed 1925, was responsible for many landmarks in Indianapolis and greater Indiana, and a number have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The is located at Ball State University Libraries' Drawings + Documents Archive, Muncie, Ind.

Vonnegut, Wright & Yeager

In 1946, Wright formed a new firm with Kurt Vonnegut, Sr., called Vonnegut & Wright. After Yeager joined the firm it became Vonnegut, Wright and Yeager, then Wright, Porteous & Lowe, and then Wright, Porteous & Lowe/Bonar.

Wright, Porteous & Lowe

Following Kurt Vonnegut Sr.'s death in 1957, he left Vonnegut, Wright & Yeager and was senior partner in the firm Wright, Porteous & Lowe. His son, William Caleb Wright, was also a partner in that firm. From 1963 to 1969, he was chief building inspector for the City of Indianapolis.

Professional organizations

He was a registered architect in Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois and president of the Indiana Society of Architects and the Indiana Chapter of the AIA. In addition, he was a member of the board of the Indianapolis Construction League, Vice-Chairman of the Policy Committee, Indiana Construction Industry, member of the Mayor's Special Committee on Housing, etc.

Works by Pierre & Wright Architects