Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-06-30
CASTLE THUNDER.

large yard. surrounded BY trees, and was
a great pace for the congregation OF
loiterers. In March, 1874, it was De ined
unsafe FOR further occupancy, ana being
condemned, was vacated, ana the CITY
fathers moved 70 the barn-lke structure
running through from Broad to Calltol
between Ninth and Tenth streets. This
was. in turn. vacated for the magnificent
municipal building which occupies the
site Of the original City Han and the
rest Of the block.
Another building which was conspicu-
Gus in ante-bcllum days, but which has
now passed away, was the cd court
house. which occupied site within the
Capitol Square at the corner OF IWelItn
and Franklin streets. in this building
the Supreme and Circuit courts formerly
met. This was also burned in the eVacua-
ton fire. and not a vestige Of it remains.
The building was three stories in height,
and was ornamcnted with large columns
on the Twelfth-strcet front.
The United Presbyterian church, which
stood on the northwest corner Of Eighth
and Franklin streets. was another noted
structure that disappeared in the evacsa-
ton FIRE This church was presided over
by Rev. Charles II. Read. now pastor
emeritus Of the Grace-Street Presbyterian
church, and was one of the handsomest
mounted by a tail steeple. which contain
ed a large. sweet-toncd bell. The bell
was sacrificed to the Confederate cause
early in the war, and the church follow
ed on the sacrihcial altar very soon there
after.
THE OLD SOLDIERS HOME.
The Soldiers Home. a place Of coniine-
ment for soldiers who were in the city
without passports or for those VINO had
no other abiding place, was located on the
corner Of Seventh and Cary streets. IT,
too, has passed away, and on its site now
stands the large cigarette factory OF the
Allen & Ginter Branch Of the American
Tobacco Company
4 vacant lot marks the spot where the
Confederate States iron-yard was located,
and where much Of the metal to be con-
verted into shells and guns was stored
and inspected.
one other notable building which has
been oblterated IS that in which were
located the Farmers Bank and the Bank
of Virginia In ante-bollum days. This
building sat back in the yard opposite
the custom-house on the site now occu-
pied by Stearns block. and In front OF II
was a tall, iron fence.
OF the new buildings which have been
erected since the war the most conspicu-
GUS are the new tllN Hail. tHc JNiA'4''ti'
the most palatial hotel structure in this
country; the new Chamber Of Commerce
building. the new State Library building,
the splendid Masonic Temple, the hall re-
Gently erected 10y r. T.. Lee Camp. No l.
Confederate Veterans, and the Conied-
crate Soldiers Home.
All Of these are constructed in hand
some style. and are both ornaments and
credit TO the city, which has. Ike Phoe-
nix. sprung from its asnes.
Where the Offices Were Located.
The following, taken from an almanac
OF 1866. shows where the cniei Offices OIL
the COnfederacy We're:
The Treasury building formerly ana no"
known as The custom-house) fronts on
Main and Bank streets. midway between
Tenth and Eleventh streets. Che billd-
ing has been remodelled and enlarged
since the war. yet these general dIec-
tons hold good
The Presidents office Is on the third
floor OF this building. first stairs 70 the
right OF Bank-street entrance.
The Office of the Secretary OF the Irea-
sury is on second floor in front part
same entrance.
The Registers Office is on same floor,
richt-hand side OF Bank-stroet entrance.
The Treasures office is on first floor
entrance from main street opposite Farm
ers' Bank.
The First Auditors office IS in the Cliff
ton House, in rear of the Bal ara House.
The Second Auditors office is In the
building formerly occupied as Monumental
Hotel, corner of Grace and Ninth streets
now ST. Claire HoteD.