Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-08-03
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF WASHING
TON

The new building On 18th street, opposite
the State Department, erected to accommodate
the First National Bank Of Washington and
the Banking House of Jay Cooke i CO.. is now
completed, and attracts general admiration.
Externally it pleases the most fastidious eye
by the chaste beauty Of its design; and Internal
Iy the cultivated taste and the OF fitness is
gratified equally by the rich elegance Of the
furniture and decorations, and the admirable
arrangements of the rooms, by which the
comfort and convenience of both the custom.
ers and employees of the establishment are
provided for after style never before at
tempted, we believe, in q banking institution.
Not only has Washington nothing else ap-
preaching it, but we doubt If any Of our lead
ing commercial cities--New York, even.-can
show any similar structure combining SO many
Of the requisites for first-class bank building
1t is Of the Italian style of architecture, the
front being two stories in height and executed
in marble from the Lee quarries in Massachu-
setts-the same used in the construction of the
Capitol Extension.
The front is 40 feet inches in width by 81
feet high. The doors and windows in the
lower story are rusticated, and the windows
in the second story finished with architraves
and pediment heads supported by consols. The
first story, extending TO depth Of 100 feet, is
used by Messrs. Jay Cooke 6 Co. for their
banking business. The spacious main banking
room, entered directly from the street. is fioored
with marble tiles, and is superbly fitted up
with white marble counters and solid walnut
furniture.
Beyond this, on the same floor, is the hand
some apartment for the general transaction Of
business by the members OF the firm; and in
communication with this room is another pleas
antly situated and tastefully furnished, for the
use Of the customers of the banking house.
The conveniently ARRANGED stationery. room,
attention on this floor, as do the various
private offices, arranged in convenient con-
nection to afford facilities for the transaction
OF business without friction or confusion, and
with due economy Of time.
The second story, approached from 18TH
street by fine flight OF marble steps. is occu-
pied by the First National Bank of w Washing
ton,-the main portion being used for the gen.
eral transaction Of business, and convenient
sized rooms being allotted for the use Of the
president, cashier and directors
This story, % feet in height, is fitted up with
the same con veniences and in the .ame hand.
some manner and substantial style as the story
below.
This is the first instance here in which bank
has been located on the second floor, but IN
leading commercial cities-in Boston aItogeth-
er so-the leading banks are thus located The
throDg OF customers doing business at the new
bank ind their comfort and convenience 40
amply provided for that In their opinion thu
ARRANGEMENT OF the building could not well be
improved in any sense.
The building is fire proof throughout, and
the money vaults, proofs, &c, for books and
uapers both of bank and banking house are
OF the most fire and burglar defying descrIp-
ton Imaginable. Richmond itself Is not so
hard to penetrate as the strong boxes Of this
Institution, one would think after q due exam
ination of it's walls, wards, locks and six deep
panopIy Of safe guards.
We must not omit to notice the good taste
which has in the erection Of the building com.
bined the rich dark shades Of the walnut with
the pale marble, the latter having rather
ghostIy tomb stony effect when used solely As
building material unrelieved by darker or.
namentation, as shown by different marble edi-
fees about town.
The architect Is John Macarthur Of Philadel.
phia, builder John Rice.
The Banking House Of Jay Cooke Il Co., Ii
too well established in public favor to need any
fresh mention at our hands, and we NAV indeed
say the same OF the First National Bank as
from the confidence felt In II and its officers il
has frorn the day OF its opening taken the firs,
place in the esteem and favor Of the communi.
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