Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-11-02
CITY IMPROVEMENTS.
The Bridge Street Engine House-A Coed
Building and II Permanent Foundation.

the permanent improvements Of the city. Iof
| several years the sidehi embankment and foun-
dation had been in such wretched condition as to
| jeopardizc the safety of the building, and while
its insecure position and situation were generally
| conceded, it was at the same time hard to find a
city council, or committee of the same with suf-
hcient courage to grapple with the question as to
| what should he done with the old engine house
| An abandonment OF the old lot and the purchase
| of new one, were suggested, bat this would in.
| yolve an expense of some five thousand dollars
TO be followed by the additional cost of erecting
an engn house. And still the old lot with it. ca
lamities would continue in the city's hands to be
kept in repair or given away. The location was
all that could be desired, and was worth double
the money it would require to put the lot ia prime
condition.
SO last spring it was determined to remove the
old building from the lo, clear away the rubbish,
and rebuild the foundation in a substantial man
ner. The building was removed into
the street il June last, by the veteran and ex-
perienced mover Of buildings, Mr.. Charles Luce
of Fairfield. The undertaking was attended with
very doubtful results, the foundation being SO
poor as to cause the building to settle several
Job was successfully performed, as was also the
task ofputing it on its new foundation in August,
where it now stands, secure and solid as
granite structure. While the building was in the
street it continued 10 furnish quarters for the "Pa.
cic" engine, and stabling for the city horses thus
saving the city in rent sum sufficient to pay for
moving the structure. The granite work for the
foundation, was done under contract by Mr.. W.
Williams, the substantial character of the walls
affecting 10 the faithiuness of the contractor in
his work. The stone vas obtained ct divers ard
loyejoy's ledgcs, working in with the small
amount Of stone that under the old building.
The building Is SO feet deep and
i6 feet 90 the street. A solid granite wall has
been built under the foundation of the
entire building. The rear wall ia the gully
rests upon henlock logs, - feet in length It is
A feet long. and 10 feet high laid 10 feet wide at
the bottom and feet at the top The front wall
is 2G feet high 10 feet at the bottom IL feet at
top resting on logs similar to those underline rear
wall. Side walls are built in the same solid manner
as the rear and front walls, and two centre walls.
some four feet in width, greatly strengthen the
other walls, and render support TO the middle por
tion of the large building. Altogether some 100
tons of stone bave been put into the walls
The cayirg in Of the foundation was caused it
will be remembered, by the food of water that
poured in upon it in spring time. This has been
remedied by the construction of a cemcnted gran
lite sewer, extending from the sidewalk on the OPP
posite side of Bridge street through the centre OF
the LOT, below the reach Of frost, and having its
outlet in the gully ten feet b, low the rear wall
1t is Of capacity sufficient to carry off all the
water accumulatins there, and will afford COM
plete protection to street, sidewalk and building.
The Two basement stories Of the builng were
constructed anew. Ia the first basement story
which formerly mud hole, but now
dry as any cellar in town, is the entrance
of the water pipes, connecting with Johnson's
works, place for storage water closets &C., and
apartment for washing hose. A hose tower, 50
feet in length, runs from the basement to the top
of the building. 1t is three times the size of the
old tower is nicely sealed up and air tight, and
will be appreciated by the boys when they come
home from fires with wet and muddy hose. 4
truck with endless rope, will be used for low
erins the hose.
In the second basement story is nice, dry
soehouse, &c by 20 feet, for the storage of city
property, such the sprinkler, carts, scrapers,
seds etc, the first time the city has been provd-
| ed with such place. In this place is kept the
wood and coal fer use by the steamer and in the
house.
The next story above, being the floor leading
| from the street, has been fitted up for the PA
| cifc" engine, which will occupy the west side,
ana the stea Aer "Cushnoc" which W i'll be placed
| in the east side, both apartments being spacious
and nicely sheathed. Formerly these rooms were
| sin the rough" with scarcely planed board to
| be seen. Now everything is new, fresh and at
tractiye. a passage way ten feet in width, leads
| from the street, between the apartments for en-
gines, to the stable in the rear projecting from the
main building, y by % feet. Here the horses
| for the steamer will be kept in warm, comfortable
| quarters and, an alarm of fire, instead OF har-
| Messing up and going across the way for the en-
| CINE, the thing is accomplished under the same
roof without the loss of time, which is vaua-
| BILE item under such circumstances. The room
containing the steamer will be kept constantly
heated so that water in the boiler will not freeze
The halls for the two companies, in the next
story above are to remain the same as before with
the exception of the proper application of paint
| paper and a new ceiling. They will be pleas
| ant and attractive for the fremen, who will adorr
the walls with notices and pictures. BY throw
ing open the wide folding doors, both rooms will
form hall sufficiently large for suppers, socia
dances and other entertainments. 1t is even now
limited that the boys are talking about getting
up series of social dances, the proceeds to be
devoted to the purchase of carpets for tie halls
| The building stands three feet higher on it,
foundations than formerly, and the street story is
Heightened three feet so that the structure is sly
feet higher than before the improvements com
menced. Any mechanic examining the timber
| work will see that there is not the possibility o.
the building starting from its present position OF
anything giving way. The end of the ss arc
fastened to the walls by iron clamps and wha
with braces, bolts and iron bars, everything is as
strong about the building as iron, wood and ston,
could make it. a great improvement was made
in placing the house twelve feet farther to the
rear, allowing valuable space in front, and giving
the city authorities room to build sidewalk. Al