Los Angeles herald., 1892-09-02
WELLS FARGO'S HOME.
THE Co3TpANY's ELEGANT QUAR-
TERs ON MAIN STREET.
Offices Which Combine q Rare Degree
Of Beauty with Perfect Appoints
ments--Some of the Features
of the Place.

1uc tcuutuCy VI tilC CITY w SioW WSct-
ward is strikingly evidenced by the move
made by Wells-Fargo company's express
office, from the Baker block, on North
Main street, to the northwest corner OF
Main and Third streets. For several
years the report was current that Super
intendent William Pridhsm was consid-
ering the proposition, and now it is
fact accomplished.
The building is a handsome three
story brick edifce, with brown stone
trimmings, and is eminently well adapt
ed for the purpose of containing the
company's vast business.
The Offices occupy the first floor, and
the cellar will be used as storage room
aud like purposes. AS the offices are
entered from the Main.street entrance
the eye is at once delighted and rested
by the soothing tone of the decorative
effect. The desks, furniture, and fit
tiDgs are all of quartered oak. polished
till it is as smooth and rejecting as
plate glass.
The metal grills in front of the coun-
ters, and the gates at the desks of the
officials, are novel and most beautiful
in design; the metal used is oxydized
copper, the effect being one of strength
combined with elegance, with no garish,
glittering motive to disturb the we'll
conceived artistic effect of the whole
room.
Mr.. William Pridham, the company's
most able superintendent, while giving
all the credit for what has been accom-
piished, to others, is really the man
who has in large measure directed the
whole affair; particularly has his good
taste and artistic judgment been shown
in the design of the decorations. The
walls are finished in what is called "hard
finish mortar STAIN" This was execu.
ted by a Mr.. Bryson, who is an artist in
that line, and is the second work of the
i kind ever done in the state. The effect is
one of solidity. and the color tone being
terra Gotta, harmonizes perfectly with
the oak furnishings, and pleases the eye
| to remarkable degree. The dyes
were especially imported by Architect
Edelman. The result is that the light
is exactly adapted to clerical work, and
is most pleasant to one entering from
the glariDg sun of the streets. The
frleze is beautiful piece of work, fell
OF grace in design and fitting perfectly
! VIII tie surroundings.
On entering from Main etreet. agent
Butt er's Office is first met with; next is
| Mr.. Pridham's priavte office, which is
fittingly furnished. Then comes the
quarters of Major Duncan, the COM
pany's able route agent. These occupy
the Main-street front, and part of the
north side of the building.
| The rest of the floor is occupied by
the main offices, the cashier, the money
order department, the receiving and
local delivery rooms, and the freight and
package department. To the right of
the extreme rear is large room for 'on
hand" packages, provided with suitable
boxes and shelves.
The employees are particularly well
looked after. Handsomely furnished
lavatories are arranged for them, and in
no particular has their comfort been
disregarded.
The Main-street entrance is topped by
handsome metal Sign, which Mr..
Pridham had made while the building
was being erected, from measure.
ments from the architects plans.
1t will be prominent object for
many blocks down Main street.
The front of the offices is made up most
ly of large plate glass Windows. of pota-
bic purity, and hung on the inside with
heavy silk sash curtains of particular
richness and elegance. In the cellar are
large furnaces, which in the winter will
keep the temperature perfectly equable.
On the whole the place is not excelled
in beauty or appointments by any bank
ing house in the city, and in come par
ticulars surpasses them all. The place
is in the business center, convenient to
verybody, and the move must result in
large increase in the company's busi-
ness, which has been 80 well developed
and carefully handled by Superinten-
dent Pridham and Agent Butler.
The work of fitting up the offices was
done by J. Y. Aver, the company's su.
perintendent of office equipment, and it
is evident that the gentleman has called
on his best resources and highest skill
in the undertaking.