The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-08-09
The LangdOn Building.

One formerly familiar with the city. but
who had not recently visited it would be
astonished at the changes which have been
made in the region Of "Langdon's Corner"
For that matter, very few residents may be
aware Of the extent of labor and material
the trustees Of the Lapgdon estate are put
ting into the improvements thus far made.
1t Is evident that the foundations of the
proposed buildings are the most thoroughly
constructed of any that have ever been laid
the post Office and the National Life build
ing. Subjoined are few details Of this
work which are OF interest.
The first work on the Langdon estate i'm.
provements was begun about April l, when
preparations for the construction of the
bridge across North branch were made.
The work Of driving the piles on which the
1900 cubic yards OF masonry rests was be-
gun about May l and is now practically
completed. About 5000 piles Of an aver
age length OF thirty feet have been driven.
Two to five piles in width have been placed
under the walls and six under each OF the
solid brick piers built at regular intervals
through the center of the cellars of the
buildings. Two steam pile drivers have
been used, one Of which was worn out in
the work. Some OF the piles required 155
blows from the 1000 pound hammer to
force them through an occasional stratum
OF hard soil which was encountered to the
required depth.
After driving, the piles were cut off 80
that their tops would be below the low
water mark in order that they might be for
ever preserved. The earth about the piles
was then excavated to a foot below their
tops and a bed of concrete comprised of
crushed stone, sand and Portland cement
five to six feet in width was laid, covering
the tops of the piles foot above and below
thus making for the stone walls solid bed
rock of two feet in thickness.
Next headers of granite OF two or more
feet rise were placed on this mass OF con-
crete, extending under the entire founda-
ton, including the outside and inside walls
and the piers. From the concrete to the
cellar bottoms, from 10 to II feet, blocks OF
granite are laid in Portland cement, upon
which rest the walls of the building which
are nine feet in height These, also, are
huge blocks Of granite laid in cement.
Five buildings have been moved and
foundations, substantial, but of more
economical order, placed under them.
Three OF these buildings are located across
the river on Elm street ard their passage
OF the stream was made over bridge built
Of some 1000 railroad ties, in some places to
height of 20 feet. These buildings have
been remodelled, presenting a modern ap-
pearance.
The foundation for the vaults on the first
and second floors Of the building on the
corner OF Main and State streets, is practi.
cally solid mass of masonry, ample for the
support of the immense load OF ten tons to
the running foot which it is estimated the
vault will weigh. This foundation is sew
enteen feet by twenty feet, supported be-
low the surface Of the cellar upon piles
concrete and masonry, after the same man.
ner as the walls already described. From
the surface Of the cellar to the top of the
first floor Of the building are walls of brick
two feet in thickness, enclosing a mass OF
broken granite made solid by Portland
cement.
The buildings in process of construction
cover an area Of 20, zoo surface feet. Iron
columns resting on the brick piers are to
support the several floors, and iron girders
will be used In the corner building the
first story will be chiefly of granite, the
girders in front to rest upon polished gran
jte columns with heavy bases and caps. In
fact the whole superstructure will be con-
structed principally of stone, brick and
iron.
The force employed on the several
branches OF the work comprises between
| 100 and 200 men, Five engines, five steam
derricks, two steam pumps have been en-
ployed and about 5000 barrels of Portland
cement have been used in constructing the
| foundations.
From the foregoing some idea may be OBJ
tanned of the labor and expense which the
various constructions thus far have in
volved, and in way an idea obtained Of
what must follow before the work will be
| completed