The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-10-10
The Morton Block.

The Morton Block.
This block, in the opinion of many good
iudges. is one of the most beautiful structures
in our city. 1t is situated on the corner CT
Congress and Brown streets, a short distance
west of the Preble House, and covers the same
ground on Congress street as the old Morton
Block, but extends back several feet further
on Brown street. At the time the old Morton
Block was erected, in 1926, it was considered
quite magnificent building, but the more
modern structures had thrown it into the shade.
A portion of that block was occupied for sew
eral years by Messrs. j. B. Brown and st. John
Smith, and we have no doubt, among the large
number who occupied some portions of
it. during the thirty seven years it was stand
ing, that several fortunes, larger or smaller,
have been made and, perhaps, some lost.
AS the new temple far exceeded in beauty
the old, so the new block, erected by Messrs.
j. 3. Brown & Sons and II. N. Jose, far ex-
ceeds in beauty, architecture and workman
ship, the one built by Mr.. Morton. This block
contains five stores, is three stories high with
a French roof, and finished Easements under
each of the stores. 1t is new with the excep-
ton of some portion of the walls of the old
block, which were considered as firm and SUBJ
stantial as any that could be built The ma
son work was done under the direction OF
Messrs. S. C. & G. M. Chase, who have super
intended the building of some of the finest
structures in our city. The carpenter work
1 Il, Al. Il
C. r. & L. E. Frost, who have but few superb
ors in their department. The fresco painting
was done by Mr.. G. j. Schumacher, and speaks
for ITSELF The painting was done under the
direction Of Mr.. Ambrose Giddngs, who new
er allows his work to be done slightly. The
mechanical execution of the work throughout
will stand the test of the closest scrutiny.
These stores are in central and desirable
location, and are all engaged but one, for which
there have been several applications. The re-
tail Dry and Fancy Goods business is gradual
Iy tending toward that portion of Congress st.,
aud we learn it is in contemplation to erect
several other elegant blocks in the vicinity of
the Morton Block, during the next summer.
Messrs. Brown and Jose have not only exhib-
ited a regard for the reputation of the city liz
the erection of this and some other elegant
buildings, but a far-seeing prudence and wis
dom in the selection of localities that will at
some future day be generally appreciated.
The west store in this block, and the rooms
directly over it, are occupied by Mr.. E. E. Lit
tie, Dry Goods Dealer, who has been in the
business ia that section of Congress street for
seventeen years, during the last six of which
time he has occupied a store in Mechanics
building. This store has been finished under
che direction of Mr.. Little and according to his
wishes, and one can hardly see where change
can be suggested to make it more convenient.
The basement will be used for receiving and
unpacking bales and boxes and for storing sur
plus goods. The first floor is so arranged as
to admit the light from over the shelves di-
rectly upon the goods, an advantage which
purchasers can appreciate. 1t will require a
large stock to fill the shelves of this store, a
large proportion of which have been purchased
at reduced rates enabling him to sell at the
lowest market prices. The front room over
the store is to be occupied as cloak room,
and the room back of it for manufacturing
cloaks. This branch of business will receive
especial attention, and large stock will be
found from which to select. Mr.. Little, in his
new quarters, will have excellent facilities for
carrying on the different departments of bust
ness Ia which he is engaged, which we have no
doubt will be SO well improved as to secure an
extensive patronage.
The third story and attic over these west
ern stores is finished for the accommodation
of the Turnverein Association. The main hall
is 3S feet by As, 81 feet high, with such finish
and fixtures as they require in their "ground
and lofty tumbllng". There are also two
drawing rooms, an attic room and an orches
ira for their use. This Association numbers
about $50 members, embracing some of the
leading business, and wealthy men of our city,
who will find themselves much better accom-
modated in this hall than they have been here
toCore. The rooms under aportion of this hall
are 70 be occupied by Lieut.. Walker and DIR.
Chadwick.
The store east from Mr.. Titles has not been
engaged, but will not be long without an oc-
cupant The next store east is to be occupied
oy Messrs. Charles Gusts g. Co., dealers in
Gentiemen's Furnishing Goods. Mr.. Gusts
was recently OF the well known firm of Bacoa,
Gusts q CO., Boston, who kept large assort-
ment OF Furnishing Goods, and had the nat
ronage of the leading business men of that citv
Messrs. G. & Co. are having their store finish.
ed in the neatest manner, into which thew viii, |
put the largest stock Of Furnishing Goods that !
has ever been offered In this city.
The second store from tle eastern end of
the block, with the rooms on the second floor,
is to be occupied by Messrs. j. d y. Jordan,
who have been well and favorably knowa as
Harness manufacturers for ten or fifteen years.
Iaeir harnesses have found ready sale in this
city and State, and orders are frequently re-
ceiVed for one or more from California, OREGON
and other States. The business is carried on |
under the same firm name since the de-
cease of oSe of the members of the firm This
firm has had the reputation of getting ont
some OF the most eiegeut and durable harness.
es that appear On our streets, 8 reputation that
Is fully sustained by TIE surviving partner. The
facilities for carrying on the business will be