The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-07-18
First NATIONAL RANK.
Completion of superb BRiIding-Fui
Description of the EdiGcc and List of tin,
Tenants.

Completion of superb BniIding-FulI
Description of the Edifcc and List of the
Tenants.
The new First National Bank building, To-
Gated at the corner of Middle and Exchange
streets, is virtually completed, many of the
tenants have taken possession OF their offices
and it seems eminently proper that foil de-
scription of the edifco should be given:
THE BUILDING
is built of brick and dark red freestone, With a
heavily rusticated basement of cut granite. 1t
is five stories in height, including the base
ment, aud is designed in a style which perhaps
more nearly approaches the Flemish Renais-
sance than any other. The stepped gables and
the prominent, though delicately moulded cor
nices and string courses, the slender pilastsrs,
with their carved capitals, and MANY other
similar details, will recall to the student the
work of the early Renaissance of the Neither
lands.
The most prominent corner of the building,
t.e that at the crossing OF Middle and Ex-
change streets, is distinguished by a square
tower of brick, stone and iron, containing an
illuminated clock, and s1rmoUntsd by an an
ugue weather-cock, whose history is well
known to MANI of the citizens of Portland,
and which now indicates the variations of the
wind at an altitude of one hundred and six
teen feet from the sidewalk.
The main entrance to the building is on Ex-
change street, and is marked by massive
pediment Of carved stone, bearing the iDScrip-
tioD,-
FIRST NATIONAL BANK.
The main entrance is closed by heavy wal
nut doors which open into porch or vestibule
finished in pressed brick; from this porch one
descends to the basement by half dozen stone
steps, or ascends 10 the main hall. La the
latter are located the directory Of the building
and the speaking tubes and bells commuUicat-
ing With every snite of rooms with janitor's
quarters and with the engineer in the basement
The building has been especially designed to
accommodate the requirements of the bank,
which will occupy nearly the whole of the first
or principal story, the remainder OF this floor
being devoted to the uses of the Portland
Trust Company. The main banking room is
about siXty-seven feet long, and forty feet
wide, with height OF sixteen feet in the
clear. The ceiling over the space reserved for
the public being carried somewhat higher than
this to facilitate ventilation. An air chamber
exists between the ceiling of the lower portion
OF the room and the floor of the second story
overhead. This air space communicates d.
rectly with the main ventilatiDg fiu9 of the
building and also 1ith the outer air by means
of certain wall registers which appear on the
outer wall Its connection with the room is
through the perforations of the decorated stuc-
CO friezs in the cornice, and, with constant
supply of fresh air through the floor registers,
lieved that perfect ventilation of the room
will be obtained This room is lighted by
nine large windows occupying the whole of
two Sides the lower portions being filed with
plate glass and the upper with English billions
set in lead with the addition of a small amount
of tinted cathedral glass. The finish of the
main room with that of the Presidents aud Di-
rectors' room adjoining is iu cherry the style
being like that of the exterior of the building
aud the screen which separates the public
space from that of the administration is filled
with plate glass and wrought brass work. The
eight wickets which give access to the various
clerks OF the bank ara also of wrought brass
work.
The administration of the bank business is
carried on by large force of clerks, each of
whom Is provided with a separate compart-
meDt behind the main screen or counter, these
compsItm ents being directly accessible TO the
public by the wickets before mentioned These
divisions or pens are separated one from tue
other by screens of wood work and plate glass,
and each compartment is fitted up with
drawers, lockers, etc, to suit the require
ments of the occupant. They are also shut
off FIR I'm the passage on which they open by
wire doors. The cashier occupies a position
connecting directly with the rooms of the pres
ident and directors, but outside of the system
of compartments for clerks. From his desk
he can, by means of electric bells and speaking
tubes, communicate at will with each clerk in
the room ;also with the engineer in the base
ment or the janit0r's ooms III the upper story
On the wall nearest the entrance to this room.
isamarble slab set in wood work and bear
ing this inscription:
International Bank.
Incorporated 1859.
Saint John Smith, President.