The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1889-05-09
THE NEW RIDDLE BLOCK
A SOLID STRUCTUREl
Combining Beautv, Safety and
CORUCngeHCG.

April lat, 1888, was commenced a
work that gave 10 Ravenna the largest
business structure in Portage county, |
and at the same time the finest and |
most costly. For one yeav the laborers
were engaged in i $ construction, and
April lst, 1850, turned over 10 the own
er, Mr.. Ii. w Riddle, the magnificent
edifice which bears his name.
Wednesday evening of last week,
being the time selected by the Knights
of Pythias for the dedication OF their
Castle Hall, located on the fourth floor
of the building, Mr.. Riddle at the same
time threw open the entire block to
the public, and the brilliantly illumin-
ated interior was soon filled with adj
miring visitors, Inspecting the beauti-
full finish of its spacious apartments.
To those who had never been inside
the building. and consequently judged
1t from external views, the spleDdidly
arranged compartments, complete in
every detail essential to met opolitan
character. a pleasing surprise must
have been affordsd-nOt that its eX-
terror is ordinary-but based upon the
supposed requirements of our little
municipality. Mr.. Riddle never does
anything by halves. and he not only
purchased the best material for his
building and had its every room and
| department arranged after the most
modern and approved plans, bat Sc.
cured contractors and wOTkmen whose
reputation and ability would insure
the best results in point of durability,
style. and artistic embellishments,
combined with convenience and safety
The question has often been asked
Will it pay Mr.. Riddle to build this
magnificent city block ?" His answer
has invariably bsen that it would not,
that he was we'll aware of this fact be.
fore commencing TO build, but being a
citizen of the town, and this being one
its limits, he abhorred even the con-
temptation of cheap looking building
on this site, and determined to erect a
metropolitan structure, that should
answer every purpose of business re
quirements, and give RavenDa a spec
linen of architecture commensurate
with it's natural beauties and elevate
the standard of future constructions
Towns are measured by the appear
ance of their business blocks. and with
this thought in mind, Mr.. Riddle has
built, regardless of cost, or whether II
would pay him two per cent on his in.
vestment. The building is we'll made
In every way, and will stand for gen
erations as a monument TO the enter
prise of this public spirited gentlem n
whose broad minded views should b;
inculcated by all our citizens, in which
event Ravenna will attract basines.
firms of a character that will rapidly
develop 1t into first class city.
8 The architect of the Riddle block il
Willard Bacon, of Boston, Mass. 1
: is four. story structure, exclusive 0
basement, fronting on Main AID Chest
nut streets, and is built of lieveian,
pressed brick, over ,O00, coo Gping re
quired for its completion. The corners
are of cut stone. a layer of which Iie
between each story. At the northwes
corner is a handsome tower, while il
the center of the building, 3 gable roo
overlooks the entire structure, the bal
ance of the roof being Mansard, will
dormer windows.
On the ground lloor are eight stor,
rooms, three on Main and five OF
Chestnut street, above which are 3
offices, 8 suits of living rooms, thre,
large halls-two Lodge rooms and ar
elegant dancing hall, 42x42, with stag,
and anteroom. The main entrance
on Chestnut street, is under a large
elegant arch, the entrance itself being
of elaborate dimensions and finish, al
index to that seen on every side as on,
progresses on his tour OF inspection.
The stairs are wide and roomy, O
easy ascent, rendered ,ioubly so by twt
landings in each flight, making tn,
exertion of climbing them scarcel,
pe-ceptible.
: To the south is another entrance fo
the use of families occupying room!
above. a large corridor running
through the center of each story make.
the Office entrance very fine, avoiding
any confusion as to their location, ant
rendering them easy of access.
| Each store room is supplied with
water closet, and two of these conyen
fences are located on each .oper story
one at either end of the building.
The plumbing throughout the struc
ture is the very best sanitary, recon
mended by all Boards of Health il
cities. 1t is provided with traps
throughout, rendering foul odors i'm
possible, and has been pronounced by
experts unexcelled.
There is not room out what is fur
. nished with splendid stucco center
and the entire building is pipad fol
, heated with steam. In the various
: rooms are twenty seven mantels anC
club CRATES of improved style and fin
isb, with beveled edge plate looking
glass tops, and hearths and facings O.
very best tile. Everything is com
plete, even to "dirt chute" which
carries sweepings to the cellar.
Nothing but the very best bronze
hinges, knobs and door locks were
used, and on the door of each room Ii
bell.
The windows are all of plate glass
and alone form an item of 81 600
!. The floors are all of hard wood
maple, oak, or ash. The first floor
ljoists are made of very best white oak,
and will last many scores of years.
The building is so constructed that
an elevator can be put in at any time
it's plan calling for one. Mr.. Riddle,
however. deeming it unnecessary for
the present.