The daily enterprise. [volume] (Livingston, Mont.) 1883-1884, 1884-05-14


l. To-day for the first time the First Ma
tional Bank of Livingston is estahlishe d
and doing business in its new building on
the corner of Park and Second streets; il
is therefore an appropriate occasion to re-
fer at some length to the institution itself
and to the editice which it will henceforth
occupy-both fit objects of pride on the
part of all residents of Livingston.
THE BUILDING
was planned. generally, as early as the
idea of National bank in Livingston was
conceived by its founders, and readers Of
the ENTERPRISE will remember that be-
fore the bank began business the arehi-
tect's plans of the present building were
described in these columns. Owing to
various delays in selecting site the build
ing was not begun until in September,
when the three lots on the corner of Park
and Second streets were secured-the one
by the First National and the other
two by James II. Boardman and
John j. Donnelly, two of its
directors. E. r. Bassford. st. Paul
architect, drew the plans in conformity
with which the building was erected. It
consists of a basement, rising considerably
above the level of the street, and two
main stories, and is for all practical pur-
poses and in general appearance three
story building. The structure was origi-
nally intended to be of brick with stone
trimmings, but as the work developed
and good stone and workmen were Oh
tanned, the walls were laid entirely of cut
stone to the upper story and from there
finished with pressed brick ornamented
with galvanized iron cornices and trim
mings. The effect is very imposing and
pleasing; the structure is not only viewed
with pardonable pride by residents of
Livingston, but is the subject of admiring
comment on the part of all visitors
and those who pass through the
town and notice it from the depot
which it immediately fronts. 1t is indeed
a building which would be creditable to
any city no matter of what size or age.
and that it should be erected in Livings-
ton, town of but one years growth is, at
least, cause for comment, and indicative
of something more than an ephemeral pros
pect. But if the edifice as a whole is
worthy of detailed notice, view of its
interior is even more attractive. The
basement is to be occupied by M. Wetz-
stein as a par-room and will be the most
elegant room of its kind in the northwest; !;
the second or upper story will be a part of
the Alhemarle hotel; the first story
is occupied by the First National. and it
is this portion of the building which de-
serves particular notice. We can conf
dently say there is no banking room in
the northwestern territories which pro-
sents so tasteful, so elegant, SO hand
some an appearance, and it is even stated
as fact that there is no bank in ST. Paul
or Minneapolis so beautifully fitted up and
furnished. The front on Park street pre-.
sents two lights of plate glass each 79xS9
inches as clear and free from spot or
flaw as the pure light of day. The en-
trance is through spacious glass doors at
the corner, approached by several steps
which are to be built of granite as soon
as the material is dressed and completed.
The transoms over the doors and front
windows are Of old cathedral glass, stain
ed and in various artistic and beautiful
designs. This glass was manufactured
under special order and only a
part of it has yet arrived and been
placed in the sashes so that its rich effect
can only be anticipated. From Park street
the room is lighted by number Of very
large windows each Of two sashes or lights
Of glass. The bank room is 25x35 feet in
size divided into apartments the regular.
counting room, the presidents office and
the directors room. The flooring in front
Of the railing consists Of tiles, Of English
oi various colors laid in tes-
selatcd form. The entire system Of fixtures
in the roonl-the railing, doors, and low
partitions between the different apartments.
consists Of red cherry, cut and carved in
80 sIc.. tI,o .x,.f,.,