Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1857-07-11
IMPROVEMENTS.

State will the amount Of improvement
the current year be proportionate to that
OF the past. Speculation, to considera-
BILE extent, has been turned to other re-
glons, and the stringency of the money
market has had tendency to restrict tie
march of improvement. This is felt
most sensibly, of course, in those towns
which have only speculative basis, and
no real or substantial natural or artificial
advantages. Our own town, we think,
cannot be classed in this category, but
has, in her extensive water privilege and
beautiful situation in the heart of a rich
agricultural country, sure guarantee for
prosperous future. Her growth has not
been morbid or speculative one, but has
partaken more of the character of sound,
healthy and earnest progress. We have
but few n-producers among us, but al
most every individual is adding, through
the medium of legitimate business, to the
stable advancement of the town. For
this reason, we have, perhaps, less spec
ulation in property than most of other
places with anything like our prospects,
thereby saving ourselves the disadvau-
tagcs of speculative prices, and all fears
of a future reaction.
A considerable amount of property has
changed hands here during the past week,
most of it passing into the hands of stran
| gers, but some Of it, we hear rumored.
for early improvement.
From present appearances we think the
number of buildings to be erected here
during the present year will fall but lit
tie short of the total of last year, while
their aggregate value will be much great
er, as they are of a better class. There
has been over $50, 600 worth of building
put up and in course of erection, the pre-
sent season. Prominent among which,
and most gratifying and beneficial, is the
large brick hotel and row of stores now
being put up adjoining Mr.. DAVIS brick
block on Main Street, plan of which
we have just been shown by Mr.. THOMAS
HYDE, the architect.
The building is 1903 feet inches III
length, 60 feet deep, and is to be three
stories in height The main entrance te
the hotel will be in the centre of the
building, leading to an Office on the
ground floor, in the rear of which is the
kitchen. The remainder of the first story
of the building will be occupied as stores,
of which there will be four, two on each
side of the office, of tho dimensions OF
90 by 60 feet.
The second story is reached by wide
staircase, extending from the Office to a
hall above. The hall is feet in width,
and runs the whole length of the build
ing. Upon this floor there are-a dining
room 28x4O feet; two public parlors Is
x2o feet, with dressing rooms attached
one private parlor, 1920, with bedroom
family sitting-room, 15x16, with bed
rooms attached also nine sleeping rooms
The third story contains two private
parlors, 18x17, with bedrooms attached
a public hall for lectures, concerts, balls,
&C., 3Ox58 feet. The remainder Of the
floor is appropriated to sleeping apart
ments.
The caps and stills of the front are to
be Of cast iron, as are also the front col
umns. The stores are to be furnished
with large show windows, and an iron
balcony SO feet in length, with six feet
projection, is to extend along the centre
of the building over the main entrance
The halls of both the second and third
stories will be lighted by means ola large
sky-light. The kitchen will be capacious,
and supplied with all the modern conve-
niences.
The entire cost of the building will be
about $40, 900, and when finished will be
one of the largest and handsomest hotels
in the interior of Iowa. The foundation
walls will be finished this week, and we
believe it is the intention of the proprie-
tors to push it rapidly towards compile
ton.
Next in importance and value to the
hotel, is the new saw mill Of Mr.. j. M.
BENTnALL, which, though not quite fin
ished is now in running order. Much
care and attention has been bestowed up
on this mill by the contractor. Mr.. CoUL
TER, and it is said to be one of the best
in the State of its size. Length of build
ing, 40 feet, width 90 feet, with an addi-
ton l6 feet square, and is two stories IN
height. In the first story is one Mulay
saw, and three Circular saws for lath and
siding. Its is said to be capable Of saw