Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-09-23

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indelibly his name on the cast iron
columns.
While this work was progressing, beau.
tifully pressed brick were being brought
from Col. Ogerton's place on the N. &
D. railroad. They were pressed by thir.
| ty horse power steam engine erected for
the purpose. The work of laying the
brick was entrusted, first to Mr.. A. John
son, and then to Mr.. Charles Jones. The
time that has elapsed, and the universal
Judgment, establishes that it is the best
piece of brick work ever done in Nash.
Wills. The walls are straight and solid as
they were the day they were completed.
The brick and building material we're
all elevated by steam power. The con-
tract for the flooring, door, window and
carpenters work generally was given to
McClay & Co.
THE RUDE BLAST OF WAR.
The roof was on and the floors para
tally laid when war put stop to further
work. A large quantity of the doors,
sashes, frames, etc, we're already in Nash
vile. Those who remained in the city
after its occupation by the Federal forces
will remember better than we can describe
the uses to which this splendid but unin-
ished edifce was appropriated. Suffice il
to say that the most part of it was used
for the stowage and confinement Of Cone
federate prisoners.
PEACE RETURNS.
Soon after the return of peace, Mr..
OVerton, notwiths landing his severe pc
cuniary losses occasioned by the war, re-
newed the work. Busy artisans were
again seen clearing away the debris and
vieing with each other to make the Max
we'll House what its architect intended that
it should be, a chef Poapre of artistic and
mechanical skill and a monument to its
owner more enduring than brass. Such
ii ia.
THE LOCALITY AND SURROUNDINGS.
Having said thus much of the origin
and construction of the building, let us
take view Of it externally and in
ternally in its completed state. The
hotel is situated on the northwest corner Of
Cherry and Church streets, fronting on
Cherry 10 feet, and running back
with side front on Church 100
feet. Immediately opposite the prin-
cipal front, across Cherry street, is
the UNION AND AMERICAN Block. dag.
ally opposite, in the southeast corr
ner of Cherry and Church streets, is the
Postoffice. Directly south, across Church
street, is the Customhouse lot. Immedi-
ately in the rear, separated by an alley, is
the Masonic Temple, opposite which
stands the Adams Express building. In
front Of the building along Cherry
street, the South Nashville street rail-
road passes. Along Church street, on the
side front, the Spruce street railroad runs.
THE EXTERIOR.
Walking along Cherry street in the vi.
cinity of the hotel which we are describing,
one is struck with lis colossal size, and yet
80 we'll balanced are its proportions that
after traversing it from foundation to tur-
ret, we are astOnished at not having fully
comprehend its dimensions from an exte-
rior view. The Cherry street front is
broken in the centre, and at the ends, Civ.
ing projections that add to the architectu.
raj effect. The main entrance is through
portico consisting of eight huted Corin-
THAN columns, supporting an entablature
of the same order. This portico
extends the height of two stories,
presenting bold appearance. Above it
there are twin columns of the same order
between the windows in each story, the
whole being surmounted by a suitable
blocking course. The projections on the
ends extend 80 as TO embrace two windows
on each extremity in front, and four on
each eide. The spaces between the win
dows are filled in with Ionic pilasters, and
ornamental caps for the windows. A line
Of cornice runs under each window course.
The whole is Burmounted with a projecting
cornice, with modillions and frieze to match
the prevailing order adopted in the eleVa-
TONS The architect was cramped in room
TO give the effect he desired, both by the
size of the lot and the narrowness of our
streets. He nevertheless su cceeded admir-
ably with the small projections he had at
his disposal.
After passing the corner projection the
walls are unbroken 10 the rear conner, ex.
cept by the window openings, with lines Of
cornices as in the front.
. Standing al the Postoffee corner, the
eye, filled with the magnificent structure
commanding the perspective on both
Cherry and Church streets, pronounces
this a first class specimen of street archi'
: lecture The frat story on both fonts il
Coz siructed Of alternate columns Of iror
and rock, and is divided into storel
and offices that are vsriously and elegantly
fitted up. Ga the Church street front i
the ,adie,' entrance. The most prominen
feature in an architectural point of view
on this front of the building is tripl
arch in iron carried out in perfec
Corinthisn order. As it was intended 70
J the use of the ladies, it was proper that
, should be a perfect work, of the highef
order of architecture. Hence it was en-
9 trusted to our friend Tom Brennan, and tn
u architects expectations were fully real
n lied
p THE INTERIOR.
a The guest, on entering at the main er
IT trance, is almost struck dumb with mil
d gled astonishment and admiration at Il
h extent and elegance OF the great vestibu
or atrium, with its marble columns suI
porting at the second floor the promenaG
~ balcony, with its neat railing between Il
ly columns. This is 8 new and conveniel
1t arrangement, as while the lady guests al
es their friends are strolling along the rich
n carpeted floor, or reclining on the marc
k, covered lounges, instead of being close
ch confined to the limits of {
he parlor, they may unobserved 10
down at the busy scene
ge the main hall. The rougher portions
nd humanity, who know they are liable TO
n criticisms of The dear ones above, will
ne found to observe more decorum than