The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1876-11-02
OskalOOsa improvements.

Oskaloosa has within the past year, as
ofyore, made more improvements, proper
tionately, than any other city in Iowa.
Numerous dwellings have sprung up all
over its area, while block after block of
business houses have been added to the
accumulated brick and mortar that makes
our city one of the finest in the State.
Among those just finished, We notice the
BANKING HOUSE OF FRANKEL, BACH & co.
in the Centennial Block, north side of the
square-a block, by the way, that has no
superior in the city. The size of the
banking house is 20x70, two stories high.
the upper story being occupied as offices.
The lower room is the banking house, and
is as neat, convenient and beautifully fur
nished as any one could desire. The
ceiling is fourteen feet high, and glass
front makes it light, airy and pleasant.
The first thing that attracts the eye as
you open the door, is the counter, an
elegant and beautiful piece of work, put
at home, by master mechanics, and is as
fine job as can be had any place. 1t is
the handwork of Messrs. Dutton 81 Hahley,
need. The counter is surmounted by the
glass guards so common to banks, through
which we poor devils may gaze with long
ing eyes on the piles of wealth beyond,
without being able to ease our itching
fingers with touch. Everything is in
the same elegant style, and while but lit
tie has been thrown away for ornament,
the effect is pleasing and the work one
of utility. The vault is a mammoth, built
on solid stone foundation, the floor
being one very large and heavy flag stone;
the walls are as thick and substantial as
any in the west, and the covering is such
as to defy the most expert burglar. With
in the vault is large, burglar-proof safe,
with capacity to hold the funds of gov
eminent, almost, and safe against the
threads of the pistol and mask boys who
take in the treasures of Democratic coun-
ties. In the rear of the main banking
room, is suite of elegantly furnished and
neatly arranged private rooms, for the re-
ception of visitors whose business need
not be made public at the counter.
The architectural designs of the build
ing was executed by VIM. Foster, of Des
Moines. The stone and brick work was
done by r. r. Harbour; cut-stone work by
Francis Castle; galvanized cornice and
tin work by George A. Wells & Co.; car
penter and hardwood by Dutton & Hadley;
plastering by N. w. White s. Co.; paint
ing, granting, Joseph Acomb; the large
plate glass front, and other glass, furnish
ed by c. Huber & Co.; iron work, pilas-
tiers, columns, ETC.. by Martinstein s. Co.
To give full description of The many
handsome departments and do all justice
is impossible suffice it to say that this well
arranged building with all the modern
improvements and conveniences is an
ornament and credit to our city, and
shows the energy and perseverance of a
reliable firm who commenced at the lower
round of the ladder and now ranks among
firm, is well known to our citizens, having
done business in the clothing trade, in our
city for sixteen years, under the name of
/. Frankel g. Co., which business they
commenced here with only an armful of
goods, in little building on the east side
of the square; but by fair dealing they
have prospered and spread their borders,
until they new have one of the finest
rooms, and best stocks in the west. Sept
/, 1878 they commenced the banking bust
ness in small room on the west side, and
were compelled by increase of business to
build their magnificent new building. Go
and take a look at Ii.