Daily Kennebec journal., 1906-01-02
Opens New Quarters for
Business Today.
Banking Rooms Are Among the
Best in the State.
Furnishings Are Elegant, and Vaults as
Solid as Institutions Reputation.

At O'Clock, this morning, the new
banking rooms of the Granite National
bank. located in the banks building ut
the corner of Oak and Water streets,
will be thrown open to the public for
business, and for inspection, and it is
| safe to assume that the public will be
somewhat surprised at the magniii-
cence and quiet elegance that prevails
in the new banking rooms. Through
the courtesy of officers of the bank, Il
Journal representative was accorded Il
private inspection OF the bank, yester-
| day, and the brief description of the
new quarters which follows can only
feebly convey an idea of the improve
mentS that have been wrought in the
building.
1t is easily apparent that no expense
has Dnen spared to make the rooms as
fine as any in the State, and those who
had the plans in charge may we'll feel
satisfied with the results accomplished.
The plans for the new rooms We're de-
vised by John Calvin Stevens Of Port
land, and most faithfully executed un-
der the direction Of contractor c. +.
HOxie of this city. 1t is certainly TO
| the credit Of Mr.. HOxie and his skilled
artisans, that such fine workmanship
| may be produced as the result of loc-
al wOrkmens endeavors.
The former entrance at the corner has
been closed and upon entering the
building from the main entrance on
Water street, ore finds himself in Il
small vestibule. This vestibule is pro-
| tected from invasion. after banking
hnIlrc nv, TO
The vestibule is in the same finish
that predominates inside. and there is
a laid floor of stone mosaic which adds
considerably to the appearance of the
entrance. The main door is a massive
affair in solid wood, with French
plate glass panel and heavy dull brass
latches. This door enters directly into
the customers room OF the main bank
ing rooms. At the right is a long desk,
for the convenience of business custom
ers, and there is also a long settle for
the convenience of those whe desire to
wait in the room. The entire main
room is furnished in rich mahogany
finished in Il dull surface. This mahOg-
any is everywhere. The furniture.
desks and interior finishing, are all of
the same wood. and the air of elegance
that it imparts is Immediately notice.
able. The walls are tinted in Il deli
cate Nile green. devoid of any figure
frescocs, thus retaining the scheme of
rich simplicity.
At convenient points, along the
walls, over desks and counters, and
suspended from the ceilings, are cleo
troliers in moulded dull brass, a Ia Rem
aissance. Ground glass globes soften the
light, and approximately set off the
richness of the mountingS. The rooms
are also arranged so that gas may be
used as an illuminative, should the
electricity give out. The floor of the
customers room, here described, is i'll
tcrlOcking rubber tile. in black and
white. 1t is very Scrviceable. and very
pleasing to the eye. One of the i'm
pOrtant features of this main room. are
the two tall ScagillO columns. They
are finished in an imitation of onyx
and are exceedingly bizarre-although
still in keeping with the surrounding
decorative scheme. The fOOtbOards
are in real marble of the same style.
The desks of the president. cashier.
tellers and bOok-keepers are encased
in several scroll cages" and there Is
every device here installed. for up-tO-
date banking methods. There Is n
rubber-tired omnibus upon which the
heavy books are wheeled into the giant