JOHN ERWIN RAMSAY, FAIA (1915-1991)

Ramsay was born in Salisbury NC.  His father, John Ernest Ramsay, was also an architect, but architecture in Salisbury early in the 20th century couldn’t support a family, so the elder Ramsay became the manager of Harris Granite Company while continuing to design buildings, including many of the homes in the town's West Square Historic District. 

Ramsay graduated from the McCallie School in Chattanooga TN.  He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Carolina in 1938 and a Master of Architecture from Yale University in 1941.  After graduation, he worked briefly for Carr and J. E. Greiner Architects and Engineers.  Following active duty in the Navy from 1941-1946, he established John Erwin Ramsay Architect in Salisbury.  In 1956, the firm became John Erwin Ramsay AIA Architect and Associates, Inc.  It was Ramsay Associates from the 1970s through Ramsay's death.  In 1992 the firm became Ramsay, Burgin, Smith, Architects, Inc., with the addition of Bill Burgin and Donna Smith, which continues today.  

As strong proponents of modern architecture, Ramsay and Associates were responsible for the design of many award winning modernist residences and buildings, including the Rowan County Health and Agricultural Building, Alderman Studios in High Point, the American Square showroom for American of Martinsville Furniture in Thomasville, and the College (Robertson) Community Center in Salisbury.  His design talents extended to traditional structures as well, including the First Presbyterian Church and Rowan Public Library in Salisbury.  He was president of AIANC in 1951, and became a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects in 1964.  He served for many years as President of the NC Board of Architecture and was Vice president of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards.  Ramsay’s Architectural practice spanned 50 years.  He retired from practice in 1989 and died in 1991.

Ramsay did a mix of Modernist and traditional houses; the Modernist ones are listed first.

Around 1941 - The Hohn/Clements House, 12 Oak Street, Salisbury NC.  Originally built for the Hohn family, they endured so much criticism for its design that they never moved in.  The new house was empty for some time until Don Clement bought it. As of 2011 still owned by Mr. Clement. Featured recirculating fireplaces.   Photos by Gray Stout.   The green second floor was an addition.

1948 - The Dan Ritchie Residence, Stevens Street, China Grove NC.

1948 - The Cecil Graham Residence, South Franklin Street, China Grove NC.

1948 - The Jay Smith House, Fourth Street, Spencer NC.

1948 - The F. C. Wedler Residence, 2317 Princess Anne Street, Greensboro. 
As of 2011 Joseph Bryan, Jr.  Photos by Gabe Nicholson.

1949 - The J. R. McCartney House, 17 Oak Street, Salisbury NC. 
As of 2011 owned by Jewel Ziprik.   Photos by Gabe Nicholson.

1950 - The Alexander/Johnston House, 117 Pine Tree Road, Salisbury NC.
As of 2011 owned by Anna Gulyn.  Photos by Gray Stout.

1951 -The James C. Coffey Residence, 8 Pine Tree Road, Salisbury NC.  Sold in 2007 to James Michael Conway. Photo by Gabe Nicholson.

1953 - The James M. Myers House, 13 Oak Street, Salisbury NC.  As of 2011 owned William Victor Bost and Bunny Bost.  Photos by Gray Stout.

1953 - The Clyde E. Smith Residence, 460 10th Street, Albemarle NC.  The 1984 owner was T. F. Kelly. Sold in 2003 to Geoffrey and Elizabeth Olivieri. Color photos by Gabe Nicholson.

1953 - The McKenzie Residence, 435 10th Street, Albemarle NC.  Split-level house includes maid's quarters and an underground bomb shelter.  Sold in 2008 to Ryan and Tracy Owens.  Top two photos by Gabe Nicholson.  Next three by Ryan Owens.

1953 - The George L. Burke Residence, 120 Shady Lane, Salisbury NC.  Photos by Gabe Nicholson.  Very small and efficient.  As of 2011 still owned by the Burkes. 

   1954 - The Robert J. Levin House, 100 Braxton Street, Mount Gilead NC. 
Sold in 2007 to Gabe and Amanda Nicholson.  Photos by Gabe Nicholson.

1955 - The William Smith Kirk Residence, 10 Mulberry Circle, Salisbury NC.  The 1984 owner was I. H. Pope Jr. The current owner, name unknown, knew Ramsay but had to do a complete gutting to accomplish a renovation.  The only things from Ramsay left inside is some of the trim. The new owner also covered the Roman brick in new stucco.  Photos by Gabe Nicholson.

1955 - The Dr. D. B. Moore House, 43 Poplar Street, Badin NC.  The house now serves as the Parsonage of Badin Methodist Church.   Photos by Gabe Nicholson.

1956 - The William C. Stanback House, 1722 East Park Road, Salisbury NC.  When Bill Stanback's wife died, he lived here with his children and later married Nancy Hart. John Ramsay bought it for himself when he moved out of Pine Tree Road.  Sold in 1993 to Bruce and Jackie Wilson.  Bottom two photos by Mark Wineka. 

1956 - The John Gregory Residence, 521 Confederate Avenue, Salisbury NC.  Sold to Robert B. Tannehill.  Sold in 1997 to Constance Stanton and Richard Prim.  They added new windows, glass block on side of house at the master bathroom renovation.  The house partially burned December 13, 2010 and will have to be rebuilt.  Video of fire.  Top two photos by Gabe Nicholson.

1956 - The E. L. Brown Residence, 2320 Millbridge Road, China Grove NC.  This was built as a farm house, perhaps the most modern farmhouse in NC.  As of 2011 owned by Samuel Brown.  Photos by Gabe Nicholson.

1956 - The J. W. Johnson House, 113 Kathland Drive, Thomasville NC.  4000 sf.  Five bedrooms.  Sold to Mary Jane and Molly L. Johnson.  Sold in 2011 to Jeffrey S. Scherer. 

1956 - The Paul B. Reynolds House, 116 Rebel Road, Salisbury NC. Built by Paul R. Daniels.  Sold in 1999 to Michael and Elvie Whisenant.  Renovated in 2000 which changed it considerably.  B/W photos by Torrence Studios.  Color photos by Gabe Nicholson.  Featured in the December 1962 Southern Architect. 

1961 - The Charles Wallace House, North Myrtle Beach SC. 
Was not built anything like the original plans.

1968 - The Elizabeth Phillips House, 2170 Royall Drive, Winston-Salem NC.  Photos by Gabe Nicholson.  Sold in 2010 to Eva Rodtwitt. Has floor to ceiling corner windows and back second story deck, slate floor throughout ground level and a slate walkway all around the outside perimeter, giving the appearance that the floor extends out past the exterior walls.

1972 - The Germaine Bree House, 2135 Royall Drive, Winston-Salem NC.  As of 2011 owned by Michele Gillespie and Kevin Pittard. The far right section with the lower roof pitch is an addition.  Photos by Gabe Nicholson.

1975 - The Shasta Bryant House, 2061 Royall Drive, Winston-Salem NC.  As of 2011 owned by Joan Hester. Photos by Gabe Nicholson.

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Traditional Houses
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1939 - The W. M. Elliott Residence, 106 West Colonial Drive, Salisbury NC.  His first house while in design school at Yale.   The 1984 owner was John G. Riley. Sold to Sarah and Jonathan West. Sold in 2004 to Julie and Arnold Chamberlain. Photo by Gabe Nicholson.

1940 - The Carson Brantley Residence, 643 Mahaley Avenue, Salisbury NC.  Another house while in design school at Yale. The 1984 owner was Harold B. Ervin Jr.  Deeded in 1999 to June and Hal Ervin. Photo by Gabe Nicholson.

1953 - The Don Walser Residence, 401 Country Club Drive, Lexington NC. 
1984 owner was Fred McIntyre Jr.   As of 2011 owned by Peggy Hinkle. Photo by Gabe Nicholson.

Sources include: Sons KC Ramsay and John Ramsay, Salisbury Post, Gray Stout,
John Erwin Ramsay FAIA: Portrait of an Architect (1984), by Juanita Bouser, Gabe Nicholson.