The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-09
A Building That Adds tn Historical
Significance and Artistic beauty
of Monument Place.
GRANDEUR OF THE INTERIOR
THE DECORATIVE SCHEME REPRE-.
SCENTS TIE BEST IN ART.
4 Detailed Description of Inside Ar
rangemenss-Beauty OF the Work
urpasses Expectations.

One week from tomorrow the Columbia
Club viii enter into full possession of its
magnificent new home. which is the realiza-
ton of an idea promulgated over two years
ago and the result OF months of the most
strenuous labor. Just how arduous and try
ing the work Of planning and carrying into
effect an undertaking OF such magnitude
really was nobody except the officials and
building committee of the club will perhaps
ever realize. To the men who have devot-
ed their time and energies to this en-
terprise it is doubtless adequate compen-
sation to feel that their labor has been for
the accomplishment of large purposes and
that it has succeeded even beyond their
fondest expectations.
Since the splendid facade OF the new
club building has been finished 1t is scarce
~ likely that any person has come within
the interesting and historic limits Of Monu-
ment place without having his attention
directed TO this new and valuable addition
to the imposing and satisfying picture
which is there presented. One who takes
merely a passing glance at the Circle. with
its center marked by the soldiers monu
ment, would be likely to fail In appreciation
VI AtC 0NND SASLAtAlaACC VI al RA4Nfs )aa1~
ful study, earnest reflection and the exer-
else Of the imagination are required TO
bring full realization of its greatness. No
monument in the world Is greater-if. in
decd, as great-in historical significance. in
artistic beauty and in It's importance TO
the future. This splendid monument is not
alone valuable to Indiana, but also as an
example 10 other States.
~ 49, Ce-t~ q. AIT -~.,k-~
that has a capital which is at the same
time its metropolis and it's social, profess
sional, commercial and political center.
The center OF population of the entire coun-
try is not far from the gates OF Indiana's
capital. and from the States favored posi-
ton there will always exist a necessity for
all commercial movement back and forth
between the West and the East to pass
through 1t. Indiana has thus become in
every sense. as 1t was in the rebellion and
has been in politics, a strategic State I'm
its position in the Nation.
A SPLENDID EDIFICE.
In the light of these self-eyident truths
concerning the State n its capital
city, there is unlimited cause for felicita-
ton that the men in charge OF the erection
of the Columbia Club building have been
gifted with the breadth Of mind and KEEN
ness of artistic perception TO enable them
TO plan and carry into actually an edifice
which is and shall always be in perfect
harmony with its splendid historic environ
ments.
The Columbia Club should not be esti-
mated from a partisan standpoint. Its per-
formances in the past and its constitution
all declare for patriotism. II is partisan
only so long as the party of it's prediction
is patriotic. AS the club has been hereto
fore in its history IT will from now on con-
tirue to be in still larger sense a center OF
economic research. a repository of fine art
and a means of presenting to the people OF
Indiana not merely the best in politics. but
as well the best of all the purposes. aims
and creations Of the people.
This great structure. ornamenting an
historic spot, is typical not only in its mag
nifcent exterior. but In fits combined archi-
tectural and artistic interior, OF the magic
growth and development OF the great West
and, in a peculiar. proud and integral sense.
of Indiana people. What State or what
country can proclaim its greatness through
such names as are historically enrolled on
this great commemorative escutcheon, or
as it has living to-day and win forever
have, not only here. but in the Nation and
world-Lew Wallace, James Whitcomh
Riley and Benjamin Harrison? And what
State can give prouder acclaim than In
diana for her senators and her representa-
tives in Congress? These men are living to-
day and are virile forces, meeting almost
daily other strong men within the walls %
4bs= fp-tffrrficn Sr1ch a body of men hoU-
ing their meeting place and home on i'm.
pressive, significant Monument place. must
and will take its appropriate place in his-
tory.
MAGNIFICENT INTERIOR.
The interior Of the new Columbia Club
building is. I'm point of richness. beauty
and art, perfectly in keeping with the
suggestions OF its magnificent exterior. a
brief description of the latter viii suffice
to give hint of it's architectural beauty.
which is all that could be accomplished
In a written account.
The exterior OF the building IS designed
after the style Of the Italian renaissance
and Is dignifed and impressive in treat
ment and also shows forth the clubhouse
character OF the structure 10 a degree
commensurate with the magnitude and
Importance OF the organization OF which
il Is TO be the permanent home. The prin-
cipal feature Of the design is the arcade
which extends through the second and
third stories and forms a loggia OF ample
dimensions on the second story and pro-
jectilg out over the main entrance. The
main entrance. centrally located and Inn
mediately beneath the loggia, is OF I'M
pressive proportions and consists Of an
arch hanked by columns OF the Roman
Ionic order supporting the sheltering
entablature. On either side OF these GEN.
trail features are semi-cireular bays which
extend from the pavement 10 the fifth
floor. at which point the tops. inclosed by
balustrades. form balconies for that story.
The upper floor is OF greater size. a fact
which is enthusiastically expressed hy a
double range OF windows below the main
cornice- Above the cornice rises a balus-
trade which forms the Enclosure for tho
summer roof garden. This latter VIII be
canopied by a picturesque awning from
the apex OF which win float the colors OF
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