The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-04-06
The Fidelity safe md Trust COmpany's New
Building.

This morning we had the opportunity of inspect
ing the rooms and vaults of the new building at
Nos s29 and 331 Chestnut street. the ediflce TO be
publicly opened on Thursday next by the Fidelity
Insurance. Trust, ana SAFE Deposit Company we
never entered structure more complete-complete
TO the least detail The company which built 1t has
just cause to be proud In every way. Proud oil It's
solidity and strength, proud OF Its beauty and mag
niacence proud OF its convenience and special adap
taton to the demands of their business 1t makes one
OF the city's ornaments and boasts.
The design of the building exteriOrialy is most
artistic in every detail 1t is constructed OF pure
white marble, and is finished so as to present an
attractive appearance The entire edl1ce is OF I'M
perishable material and the best mechanical skill
has been employed in order to insure beauty perma-
The lot upon which the edifce stands is Al feet
front and $50 feet deep. The masonry of the walls
is OF superior strength, and the floors, formed by
arches of brick masonry between rolled iron and
compound iron beams, make permanent and sure
hre-proof structure.
The basement is subdivided into six vaults five of
them intended for receiving chests OF family silver
and other valuabes and one OF them for the accom-
mediation OF the safes of corporations and bankers.
These rooms ventilated, and form dry and secure
The principal floor of the building contains the
general Office of the institution, Office OF the secre-
tary and treasurer and the presidents ONCE the de-
and acommodious board room at the northern end
of the building In immediate connection with the
general office, private wating-room is provided for
the accommodation OF ladies'
The foundations of the safe and vault based on
water gravel and the entire of the floor surface
beneath IT is laid in bonded granite masonry three
feet in thickness. The walls in the basement are
cut, doyetaled and clamped in each joint Its walls
on the main floor Of Leperville granite securely
bonded TO the inner masonry, and camped tho
roughly by plate iron and ties. Within this secure
enclosure OF masonry the inner iron safe is set,
h ntG par lOT re several eye; uses OF
"Franklinite" iron with plate iron facings, making
an impenetrable safe in itsef-the system OF con-
sructon here adopted atiording the double security
of the strongest burglar-proof chest enclosed in
masonry OF the most massive character.
Above the principal foor this vault is two stories
The safe and vault and all the stronger rooms are
tsolated ana independent from the walls OF the
building.
usual furniture and fixtures, is OF permanent and
lndeetructible materials.
story being used for the storage OF chests and
SThe front upon Chestnut street is of 'Ieer marble
In the Italian style OF architecture the emblem OF
company forming the centre feature over the prncl-
The plans and specifications of the building were
prepared by James ii. Windrim Esq., architect,
nnder whose directions II was erected by Mr.. John
gtructed by Farrell Herring Co., upon the drawings
and specifications OF Horace See, Esq. This is un-
soubtedy the largest iron safe in existence; II con.
taine 100 tons OF iron and cost over 100000
The ornamental iron work is by X. Wood Co and
NatslnQer Bros. and the walnut fixtures and furn
ture by Smith, Watson Taylor.
The electric telegraph, used used IN the % watch and po
lice system OF the nsetgton was devised ana con
watch are not only TO be placed In communication
with those OF several banks IN the neighborhoed bu
with the Central Police Station. BY ingenious me
hanism attached TO the clock, record is made, il
printed FORM OF the visits OF watchmen TO certain
sieeQnated parts OF the building at short and satet
interyals during the night This record Is naccessi
bic 70 the watchmen: Thus each morning the oiiicer
in which the duties OF the watch have been per
formed during the night There are nye day ant
niaht watchmen attached TO the institution
= The Fidelity Safe Deposit Company was organized
IA 1860 The company, finding their early accommo
dationg unsulted TO their business, at an early da
decided 10 put up building that In every partcula
should be adapted 10 It, After some delays, the re
suit has been the erection OF the present structure
In point OF location, security convenience anu ex
sjegTed,