The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1891-06-19

A Massive and Beautiful Structure for tn,
Exclusive use of the IOwnsite
Company and First Ma
tiOnal Bank.

tlOtal bank.
The building which the Townsite com
pany and First National bank are now
erecting on the corner of Central avenue
and Third street will be one of the finest
in Montana, or indeed in the entire west
In planning its proportions the archi-
tects. Messrs. Bertrand Il Keith. of Min
neapolis and Great Falls, have studied
to mate artistic beauty with durability
and convenience. Not only has this been
carefully planned, but the building is to
be made absolutely fire proof.
From the ground up the building is
constructed of a handsome, native sand
stone. brown in color and so hard and
enduring as to defy the ages. The stone
comes from the Sand Coulee quarry.
The only other material which is to be
seen from the outside will be in the mar
BILE columns at the entrance. This is sit
uated at the northern extremity of the
building and its appearance is worthy
the magnificent building into which it
leads. The steps are of stone and lead
to the heavy oaken doors. elegantly fin
ished and swinging on handsome hinges.
On either side the entrance is fanked by
large doric columns. The main entrance
lobby, into which these doors open, is
twenty feet wide and extends from the
front to rear of the building. This is
wainscotted and paved with marble. At
the southern end of the lobby or corridor,
a stair case leads to the basement. This
is occupied by an engine room in which
at some future date will be placed the
motor for an elevator, by a boiler room
2Sx35 feet, from which the building is
heated and by three office rooms, of a
commodious character. The ground
floor is supposed to be on exact level with
the pavement. The lobby and corridor,
traversing the building, furnish imme-
diate communication with the seven of.
flee rooms. OF these four are 14x2S feet
and three are 14y31. All face Third
street. The finishing is a very hand
some one, namely, white oak with hard
oil. This floor is also furnished with
toilet rooms. whose handsome character
is in keeping with the building, and with
a fire proof vault, which will be used by
the enants. Within several steps of the
entrance, a marble stair case leads up to
the bank floor. or this floor two-thirds
is occupied by the First National bank
and the remainder by the Townsite com
pany. The bank space is 10 by 30 feet
On the corner of the avenue and street
is the president and directors room
l4x26 feet. To the south of this is the
cashiers room, which in turn leads t.
the large counting room. This entire
space is paved and w%ainscOtted with
marble, and its furnishings will doubt
less be as elegant as the Institution il
wealthy and influential. At the east enc
of the counting room are two vaults, thu
upper one fire proof and the lower on,
proof against both the elements ant
man. The remainder of this floor thj
Townsite company occupy. Their suit
Of offices will be an unusually handsOm,
and commodious one. The ceiling Of
this floor is fifteen feet high.
The inside finish is oak, dressed il
hard oil. The lobby and banking room
are wainscotted and paved with marble
The remainder Of the building will hav'
a hard floor of maple.
The architecture may be termed a FIRE
modern adoption Of the old Greek o
classic style. In other words it strives t
suit the dainty beauties of the Parthenol
to the massive proportions of a grea
business block. Its character is denote,
by the columns at the entrance, which
are Of the old Doric, whose grace and sim
plicity have never been excelled.
The plans of the building call for sever
stories, but at present only two will b.
erected. When others are added it i
exnected that the entire hank Story vii