Daily Los Angeles herald., 1879-02-11

is really French fiat-is splendid
affair, 125xS2 feet. The height of
the rooms is thirteen feet.
To every suite of rooms on
this floor is an ample ves-
tibule. The whole ball is lighted
by ten sky-lights, exclusive of the
main sky-light, which Is of iron,
twenty-five feet square, furnished
by Hayes & Co., of San Francisco.
These multitudinous sky.lights
shed flood of light on the apart
ments below, on the second story.
On the third story the architects
seem fairly to have acted on the
injunction of Genesis, ''Let there
be light" 1t pours out from every
hand, and the coup 6oeiL, as pre-
sented from this story, may almost
be said to be the finest architectural
triumph which we know of as be-
ing presented in any business edi-
flee in California.
DETAILS OF THE BAKER BLOCK,
IL should be noted of this build
ing that the interior party walls,
| ouu thCio aic o'A VI tucuij arc CuI-
ried all the way up from foundation
stone to turret. The iron work on
the first story extends from the
granite bases to height of fifteen
feet, on the second story to Il height
of ten feet six inches and on the
third story there are iron center
columns over the main entrance, on
Main street, iron being dispensed
with for the remainder of the third
story. The two corner towers are
intended to conceal water tanks
all the water used in the building
being reservoired in the towers.
Each of the 1anking to wers con-
tains three thousand gallons, and
both are supplied from tw enty-two
inch main, rendering them, in case
of fire, independent of the demand
for water by the fire companies. This
system is admirably adapted to
guaranteeing pure water in the
Baker Block-the impurities hav-
ing a chance to settle. The piping
Is so arranged that, when an ele.
vator is rendered necessary, it can
be run by hydraulic pressure from
the towers. The hot water required
by the block is furnished from a
tank in the central tower.
Hydrants are dispersed all through
the building, and they are provid-
ed with hose which, in case of fire,
can be used as instant extinguish-
ers. The bathrooms are arranged
on novel principle, the water COM
ing from the bottom of the tub. The
iron work which enters into the
building is laid with u thorough
knowledge of the fact that iron,
when exposed to an extreme degree
of heat, always warps. The brick
work is carried up solidly behind
these columns, binding and being
bound by them, and they might
yield without in the slightest de-
gree endangering the stability of
the structure. Regard has also
been had to the possibility of earth
quakes. The whole building is
elaborately knitted together. The
first and second stories are "tiedu
by a longitudinal Intel course; the
third story is secured by massive
iron bond. Unless the whole edi-
flee were wrecked by great con-
vulsion of nature all the parts would
be sure to stand.
All the soil pipes in the Baker
Block are of iron. There are fire.
places all through the second and
third stories, and the law and other
offices are characterized by unusual
elegance and convenience. The
law Offices of David Dudley Field,
Evarts & Choate, and other dis
tinguished lawyers Of New York,
will not begin to compare in spac-
iousness, appointments or style
with the suite of the Messrs Brun-
& Wells, for instance. On the
third story all the suites are entered
by ample vestibules. Gas and wa
ter are everywhere encountered,
with the latest appliances. The ell
evator can be called into use at q
moments notice. The space left
plain in the elaborate tile-work of
the main hail shows where it is ex-
pected to descend.
We have heretofore had occasion
to notice the handsome bulle-
tin board, of black walnut,
surmounted by clock, and adorn-
ed with an inscription on q silver
plate, which was presented to Col.
n. S. Baker by the workmen en-
gagged on the building. 1t was a
pleasant incident of the last stages
of the work, creditable alike to the
prosecutors and presentee.
HONOR To WHOM HONOR is DUE.
A description Of the Baker Block
would be lamentably defective
without some note of the gentlemen
to whose genius and workmanship
we are indebted for this ornament
to our city. To the Messrs. Buch-
anan & Herbert, the architects, are
due the plan and its harmonious
carrying out. The liberality of Col.
Baker gave them an opportunity of
showing the stuff that was IN them,
and they have availed themselves
to the full of such favorable op-
portunity of acquiring distinction.
The iron work was furnished by
Savage & Son, of San Francisco.
The painting was done under the
foremanship of Mr.. Moran, and
economically, because it was by
days work. The brick-work was
by Bell, Pugh & Co. The carpenter.
ing was also done by days WORK,
under the immediate super
vision of the Messrs. Buchanan &
Herbert, Mr.. J. X. Skinner acting
az foreman. The Messrs. Barrows,
Furrey & Co. had the contract for
the plumbing, Timing and gas
fitting. The mill work, supplies of
lumber, etc., came from the ware.
house of the Messrs. ]. M. Griffith
& Co. The glazing was done by