Arizona republican., 1894-01-31
ITS NEW HOME.
Quarters of the Phoenix
National Bank.
Pres. Fleming has Rea-
son to Feel Proud.
A Magnificent Monument to a
Successful Career.
Some Interesting Facts About the
New Vaults, Heavy Doors and
Combination Time Locks.

The Phoenix National Bank moved
into handsome new quarters In the
Fleming Block. The move was accom-
plished without the loss of an hour to
the bank. At the usual hour Saturday
the doors closed at the old quarters; at
9 O'Clock the following Monday morning
those of the new opened promptly for
business.
The opening of these new quarters
marks an important epoch in the his
tory of the bank. 1t now occupies the
most desirable and conspicuous corner
of the newest. handsomest and most ex-
pensive building in Arizona. The pres
ident, Mr.. James Fleming, besides en-
joying the honor and influence which
accrue as territorial treasurer, has the
satisfaction of seeing his pet financial
enterprise ftting,y installed in the
magnificent structure which bears his
name and which Is such splendid and
lasting monument of his successful Ca
reer as business man.
As far as present intentions are con-
cerned the Fleming block may be said
to be completed. The original lnten
ton of Mr.. Fleming was that it should
be five stories in height, instead of two
as at present. The foundation and
lower walls, and in short all that has
been done, has been with the calcula-
ton that such was to be the ultimate
twelve months work will be resumed
stories added.
The Building.
A few words about the building, it's
cost, construction and material seem at
this time not inappropriate. 1t was
begun in April, 1898. Having removed
here from Denver, Colorado, to estab-
lish banking business in May, 1892,
Mr.. Fleming, soon conceived the idea
of its erection. As a mem Der of the
committee of public improve and
public Institutions, and especially as a
leading spirit in the putting up of the
famous Denver exchange building, he
had acquired valuable experience and
taste in these matters.
The site selected was generally con-
coded to be the best possible. Directly
opposite the court house, upon the
main thoroughfaro of the city, the loca-
ton was deemed indispensable. The
foundation is OF thick walls of granite,
deeply laid. Its construction was care
fully supervised; the expense of it was
$4,000. The lower story is built of
selected brownstone from Sespi, Cal.
Nothing but the best possible skilled
labor was employed. At one stage the
work was arrested and serious strike
only narrowly averted, the trouble hav-
ing been precipitated by Mr.. Jennings
solicitude that the quality of labor and
material should be of the highest stand
ard. So it was as the building pro-
crossed. The flooring of all the stores
upon the street floor is of the best Or
egon pine. The lower halls and the
entrances to the stores are of mosaic
terra Gotta tile work. The interior
wood work in the bank and all the
wood store trimmings are the finest
quarter sawed oak that could be pro-
cured in Chicago. The beautiful faky
building il the admiration of each be-
holder. Tbs upper walls of the ex-
terror are of pressed face brick which
was brought from Kansas City at a
heavy freight expense. The hardware
is highly artistic and is of real bronze.
Each store and Office ia lighted by
electricity, the conduit system being
used. Pipes are also laid so that gas
may be called into service when re-
quired, each store and office being pro-
vidsd with combination chandeliers.
The entire superintendent of the
building from beginning to end has
been in the competent hands of the
architect, Mr.. Fred Heinlein. AS the