National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-10-17
a HANDSOME NEW STORE.
The Elegant Structure Erected by sIr. Baum
on Seventh Street.


The handsome structure which has risen
from the ground with surprising rapidity, at
No. AIS Seventh street, furnishes n striking
evidence OF what an onterprising and energetic
business man can do. Some years ago Mr..
Charles Baum began business on capital OF
$50 at little store on Louisiana avenue, near
Sixth street, dovoting himself to the manu-
facture OF hoop-skirts aud corsets. Subse-
quently, finding this establishment too small
to accommodate his business, he removed TO
the large establishment at No. 40S Seventh
street, and added new departments to his rap
idly increasing business, including ladies' and
gcntlomen's furnishing goods. Even this large
building became too small for Mr. Baum's pur-
poses. His next step was to erect building
OF his own, especially adapted for his business
The result is seen in the elegant structure at
No. 4l6 Seventh street, few doors above his
old stand. Tho workmen are now put
ting the finishing touches on the
building, and Mr. Baum will formally
take possession of it next Monday.
1t Is one Of tho handsomest private buildings
in Washington. The architecture is of the
renaissance order, and the plan reflects much
credit upon the taste and skill of the archi-
toct, MIR. &. A. Didden. Messrs. Holtzclaw &
Bro. are the builders, aud it is owing to their
energy that the building has boon completed
i'll remarkably short time. Tho work of
demolishing the old building which stood on
tne same site, began on the 7th OF August last.
The edi6ce has n front of twenty-five feet aud
depth of 100 feet Tho front is ornamental
in design, being adorned with pressed brick
tiles, enamels and galvanized iron cornices.
The whole is surmounted by handsome
tower Tho ceilings on the first floor are six
teen feet high, on the second floor thirteen
feet and on the third floor twelve feet
high. Tho main entrance is Gothic in de-
sign, aud Is fanked by two magnificent
show-windows-the largest in the city--with
heavy marble bases. These windows arc
twelve feet high and seven feet deep Show
windows have also been projected from the
second story. III the centre of the building
arc sky-lights eight by sixteen feet, and every
arrangement has boon made for providing all
abundance of light and air A broad aud easy
stairway in the rear of the store leads to the
second floor. The store or first floor will be
used as depot for ladies' aud childrcn's fur
nishing goods, japanese and Chinese goods,
millinery, human hair and other goods.
The second floor will be devoted to ladies'
closks, dolmans fur-lined gowns, rurs, shawls,
costumes and undergarments OF every descrip-
ton. The third floor is reserved for manu-
featuring purposes, aud for lunch and retiring
rooms An elevator will be placed in position
in order that goods may be carried easily from
ono floor to another, and the building is pro-
vided throughout with all the modern inn
provements. Tho business will be divided in
eighteen departments, each having its clerks
Tho bricklaying work OH the building was
done by Henry Kluiger, the plastering by b.
+. l.arcombe the plumbing by K. Campbell
aud the turning by q. q. Gibson & Bro.