Omaha daily bee., 1888-07-29
A DREAM OF MARBLE HALLS.
A Lasting Monument to Public
Spirited Bankers of Omaha.
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK
A Description of the Building and It's
Occupants-One of the Finest
Banking Rooms in the
United States.
The Building.

shO ANuuiobui' v 10 ohpSiD NV
ument to the philosophical m%unificence
Of the stockholders, the skill OF the
architects and the permanent greatness
OF the city. From the sub-basement
with its engines, dynamo and vaults to
the elaborate copper cornice each and
every detail is perfect in its way. The
interior finish is on a scale of magnif-
cence which Omaha at least has
never seen approached, though
her costly and beautiful structures
are by no means insignificant. From
the street the building is not particu-
larly remarkable for architectural dec
grafton or ornament. 1t is massive and
stately, as BELTS a bank constructed at
Maine granite, Chicago pressed brick
and terra Gotta. surmounted by a deep
copper cornice, and impresses one
chiefly with its proportions and stabil-
lily. From Farnam street the visitor
enters through a massive granite arch
and bropzed iron gate into the stately
vestibule. The walls and lofty ceiling
are of pure white Italian marble;
broad white marble steps lead
to the c~ounting-room above. Beautiful
electrO-plated bronze rails guard the
stairs and the entrance to the elevator.
1t Is a magnificent conception, combin-
Ing richness of material aud beauty of
design. Up a short fight of steps we
reach the banking room, and see a glis-
ten of white marble, polished brass,
crystal and mahogany. 1t is 60x7O feet
In size. Richly decorated bronzed iron
pillars support a ceiling t~wenty-one feet
high. The floors are of white marble,
and all the wainscoting and fixtures are
nf Manila mnhnnpnv mnlplal afta,
special designs. The w~ainscoting is
eve feet in height, richly paneled
and carved and forming a
strong dado for the general wall
surface, which is painted to
harmonic with the rest Of the room.
Electric signals connect all the desks of
the clerks, and speaking tubes pass
hither and thither. Through the mag
nificent plate glass windows currents of
fresh air circulate freely, and floods of
light illuminate every nook and corner
of the room. The entire building at
night is lighted by myriads OF mean
owned by the bank. Opening into
this main room are directors
offices and parlors, patrons par
Tors, a stationery repository, a mail
Ing room, lunch rooms md the magnifi-
cent vault. In this the bank boasts the
finest piece of burglar-proof work in
the west, and the crowds which througed
the building during the reception last
week seemed to never tire of inspecting
Its wonders. 1t is enclosed in ~fire-proof
walls, forty-two inches thick. The cash
vault is absolutely impregnable. The
doors and locks are all of the latest pat
terms, and are miracles of ingenuity
and workmanship. This vault consists
of nine compartments, enclosing the
cash safe in the centre, and is eight feet
square.
There are two book and record vaults
whose dimensions are SxSx16 and Sx8x26,
both guarded by the same system of
burglar proof locks and doors. The
basement contains the safety vaults,
lunch room, cloak rooms and other con-
veniences.
The four stories above, reached by
two handsome elevators, are in perfect
harmony with the banking room below.
The offices are furnished in oak, and
are perfectly lighted and ventilated.
w~ainscoting and door casing of
marble. The toilet ~convenieces
Of both banking rooms and
offices are furnished in marble and sup
piled with every sanitary appliance.
All the water coming into the building
passed through improved filters. Every
door opens on massive hinges and is
locked with a Yale key.
Tbs entire building is fire-proof, the
floor being constructed OF iron beams
and tile arches, and the partitions of
hard terra Gotta blocks.
II is Of course impossible to give in
detail any adequate description of the
beauties OF the building. but to some
readers the cost, 5000, 900, may convey
an idea. To the architects, as well
rs to the various firms, most
vi them of Omaha, who did
the work OF the various departments of
the structure, the greatest credit is due.
The architects, Mendelssohn, Fisher
4 LAwrie, have added another polished
stone to their monument Of fame by the
artistic manner in which they have
completed the First National bank
building. These gentlemen have the
largest business in this western coun-
try, they having designed and erected
under their supervision nearly all of the
best buildings in Omaha. This fact
will be readily apparent when it is
stated that this firm has designed and
superintendent the erection of the fol-
lowing: The beautiful iron and brick
Barker building, southwest corner Of
Earnam and Fifteenth streets: the great
Paxton building of brick. terra Gotta
and granite, on the northeast corner OF
Farnam and Sixteenth streets; the pa
latial Range block, on the southeast
corner of Harvey and Fifteenth streets;
the beautiful residence of w. j. Con-
nell, southeast corner Of st. Mary's ave-
nue. and Tweuty-second street; the inn
posing brick and terra Gotta church OF
the First Congregational society, corner
OF Nineteenth and Davenport streets;
the c~ommodious and enduring wholesale
building and warehouse OF McCord,
Brady Il Co., ~Leavcnworth and Thir-
teeuth streets; the beautiful aud at
tractive Willard hotel, northeast corner
Of Douglas and Thirteenth streets; the
commodious and commercial-like homo
Of the board of trade, southwest corner
OF Farnam and Sixteenth streets; the
the magnificent and notable warehouse
OF the Moline, Milburn & Stoddard COM
pany, On Pacific street, Immediately
south of the Union Pacific depot; the
pretty brick church of st. Peters
Catholic parish, on ~I.cavenworth street,
near Phil Sheridan avenue; tho COM
modious md unique Hotel Barker, on
the northeast corner OF Jones and Thir-
teenth streets; the extensive and i'm