(1813-July 7, 1896). Born in Derbyshire, England, Curzon immigrated to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in the early 19th  century. In 1851, he moved to Indianapolis and, as one of six professional architects in the city, quickly acquired a successful practice.

Union Station Architectural Drawing, showing the front elevation of Union Station, 1852. At the bottom is "FIRST UNION STATION AT INDIANAPOLIS. Drawing made by Joseph Curzon, Architect, in 1852."
Union Station Architectural Drawing, 1852 Credit: Indiana Historical Society View Source

Curzon designed the Union Station in 1852, the first union station in America and predecessor to Indianapolis’ current Union Station. Also in 1852, he designed additions to the State Hospital for the Insane (Central State Hospital). 

Curzon was the architect for the Second Presbyterian Church at the corner of Pennsylvania and Vermont streets, where he was also a member of the congregation. Completed in 1870 at a cost of $105,000 ($2.1 million in 2020), the rubble limestone Gothic building was reputed to be one of the most attractive in the city.

He also designed a number of local residences, among them the Vajen house (1864) and the Vinton Pierce Italianate mansion, which stood at 1415 North Meridian Street. 

Curzon is buried in Crown Hill Cemetery. None of the buildings known to have been designed by him in Indianapolis remains. 

Revised February 2021
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