Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-02-25
HILL, MAcoMBER, WIGHT BLOCK.
Cost $4,000. Is ModernIy Constructed and
as Near Fire Proof as Possible.

The Hill, Macomber, Wight block, with
Its handsome front and attractive finish
throughout will soon be ready for it's oc-
cupants, and one point worthy Of special
mention is that this building has been
constructed in the most modern and SUBJ
stantial style, an aim being made to have
it as near fire proof as possible.
The excavation for this building began,
August 18th, and the foundation was
completed Oct. 10th, and the suner-
structure Dec. 10th. In excavating 1000
cubic yards of earth were removed and in
the foundation 400 cubic yards of stone
laid. To build the structure 1925. 600
bricks were used and the dimensions of
the building are 50x60, four stories
The first floor is 10 feet high and the
other stories 10 feet The store at the
north end will be occupied by A. NJ.
Wight, jewelry, and the remainder of the
building by the Atkinson Furnishing
Company. Five floors will be available
for business purposes with space Of 15,-
600 square feet and this takes in the large
basement. The first story is plastered
with adamant upon the brick walls
which are furnished with air spaces to
avoid dampness. The other rooms are
finished with water paints upon the brick
walls These improved means are to
award against fire as much as possible.
'Open construction" is the style of the in
side and the frame consists of hard pine
timbers 1oxl2 covered with two inch
matched planking and finished with an
upper floor of hardwood.
The ceiling of the first floor is of heavy
metal and has been painted in fancy colors
by J. r. Manchester, who has done this
part Of the work. The plumbing and the
heating by steam has been done by A. d.
Ward. The excavating by J. A. Norton,
the building of the superstructure by A.
Fl. Lyon, the masonry above the founda-
ton by H. Purinton & Co., and the foun-
dation by Charles Sylvester. The roof
consists of one of Baldwin's best and IA
nous beehives.
The front of this building will attract
much attention and the Perth Amboy
bricks, 12x4x1 Z inches make the effect
very fine with tho buff terra Gotta orna-
mentations from the Excelsior Terra Gotta
Company of New York. The Hastings
and front cornice are of heavy copper and
upon the front is the tablet of terra Gotta
bearing the name, Hill, Macomber, Wight
in raised gilded letters, which makes
very noticeable sign.
Another fine feature of the front is the
entrance which is recessed about nine
feet and doors open from it to each of the
stores and one leads to the upper story.
The floor of the recess is of iron and has
glass openings that furnish light for the
closets below this being the Hyatt system
of lighting. At the back of the building
is an arrear with the same means of
lighting the basement. This advantage
is something new in this city. The build
ing is provided with an elevator which
runs from the basement to the upper
story, and the power is by electric motor
The plate glass front is composed OF
lights of 1907 square feet each, which
are the largest in the city. The iron work
was done by Megquier & Jones, Portland.
The building will cost S12, 600.
C.. 6. Hichborn went to Portland,