The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1888-12-07

Among the scores of handsome public
and private buildings which adorn the
streets of Bridgeport stands one which
at once attracts attention by it's COM
handing position, its architectural beau
ty and its imposing hight. 1t stands on
the northeast corner of Main and Wall
streets and rises, square, massive and
firm as the solid rock itself, high above
it's surroundings. 1t is the Connecticut
National bank building, justly called one
of the finest structures in the city and
was completed in 1886.
This corner has been occupied as a
banking site since 1884; but the old
needs Of the business transacted within
its doors and was becoming too crowded
for the convenience of the clerks in the
bank and the public with whom they had
dealings, was torn down in 1885 and the
work of constructing the handsome new
building at once begun. October 80, 1885,
the corner stone of the structure was laid
with the usual imposing ceremonies, Miss
Kittie G. Drew, daughter Of the cashier,
IL. b. Drew, handling the silver trowel,
with its crossword handle, with all the
skill Of an adept and the unconscious
grace of childhood. The work of con-
struction was pushed forward with the
greatest possible speed by the contract
ors and, so successful were they, that
the bank was enabled to occupy its new
rooms for the first time, January 2, 1887.
Other firms had previously engaged many
of the offices in the building, to which
broad and easy stairs gave access, while
the hydraulic passenger elevator, the
first of its kind in the city, rendered quick
and convenient the journey from the
street to any part Of the building. These
firms began moving in at once and soon
nearly every room had an occupant. The
taken, one by the West End florists, the
other by F. J. Pack, while j. J. Dunlap
the jeweler, ensconced himself in the
store ut the left OF the Main street or Of.
flee and elevator entrance, where Miller
4 Strickland take orders for coal.
The Connecticut National bank build
Ing has aptly been called one of the fin
est business blocks in the city. 1t is five
stories high, with basement and sub-cel
lar. The material of which it Is compos
posed Ia rock faced Leete's Island rec
granite, trimmed with Springfield brown
stone. Above the sills Of the second
story, Philadelphia pressed brick Is used
and the fifth story Is OF moulded bricl
and terra Gotta. Entry to the offices, o.
which there are 80, Is afforded on MAR
street, where either elevator or stairs
may be employed to reach the desired
room. Large windows Of clearest plate
glass afford ample light and the views O
the surrounding city, country and Sound
from the upper windows, are unsurpass
ed.
The entrance to the banking and d.
rectors rooms IL on Wall street, just .
step from Main. Broad and easy steps
led up into the public room, which Il
provided with every convenience for as'
eIstlng patrons to transact the business
whiob brings them here
On the right n the directors room
with lofty ceiling, rich mahogany finish
III Office fittings md o. the LEFT, in front
II the des1s snd counters Of The bank Of
6sials; 4 small space, enclosed with
rSIlln<s end Furnished with chairs, table,
~. Bach of t1ls n the banking room
1rSpr, whoro Caahier Drew and hio force
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