George Fowler Jones, architect of the Three Counties Asylum, was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, circa 1818. He studied under the architect William Wilkins who designed the National Gallery. Jones then worked for Sydney Smirke who sent him to York to work on the repairs to York Minster. Jones liked York so much he moved there in the early 1840s, and spent most of his working life there. Plans and elevations of Three Counties Asylum, dated 15th September 1856 give Jones's address as '4 New St., York'.
The Yorkshire Gazette of 15/2/1862 records that Jones moved from New St. to 84 Bootham. Sir Nikolaus Pevsner records that in 1862 Jones designed and built 78 Bootham, York, as his own residence, and Jones's Royal Institute of British Architects incorporation certificate of 1868 gives this as his address. Presumably, 78 Bootham became Jones's offices. Works at the Three Counties Asylum dated 8th July and September 1870 also give 84 Bootham. Plans for the Three Counties Asylum dated 3rd May 1877 and 9th March 1878 give his address as 3 Stonegate, York.
Further works at the Three Counties Asylum dated February 1880 give his address as 100 Micklegate, next to the Pack Horse, and he still held the property in 1886. However, by this time Jones had in all probability retired to Malton. The address is probably that of his practice, then run by his son.
George Fowler Jones died in 1905 at his home in Quarry Bank, Malton, North Yorkshire.
Quarry Bank where Jones died has a very large old house standing in its grounds, which is the local police station. At the time of Jones's death this house was standing but it is not clear whether any other buildings stood at Quarry Bank or if this was Jones's home. Modern houses stand there now, possibly dating from the 1960s, so maybe some demolition took place.
84 Bootham looks as if it has been demolished and some kind of power supply building now stands where it stood. 78 Bootham is still standing, this is the premises that Jones designed and built in 1862. It is completely different from the rest of the terrace (see photo) and stands out as a building of personal character - cream and red brick design within this development is like some of the design in the Three Counties Asylum:
Credit and thanks goes to Mathew Fowler Jones for sending in the pictures below. Mathew is the great great Grandson of George Fowler Jones. These photos show that George Fowler Jones was laid to rest March 1905 in the small cemetery adjacent to St Mary’s Priory church, Old Malton, North Yorkshire:
