The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-03-13
A HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION
OF THE AMERICAN NATIONAL
BANK BUILDING.

BANK BUILDING.
In the winter Of 1909 tho Directors Of
the American National Bank mad the OPP
portunity of purchasing what they con-
sldored the most desirable corner lot for
the banking business in the city of
Richmond, and they paid for the ground
what then seemed to DO very high
price, and many Of the "old and sub
stant'al citizena" shook their heads at
tho apparent audaclty OF this young In
sttution, but the directors. who. by the
way, arc all active and successful busl-
ness mon OF this city, and whose btisi-
ness ability and discretion cannot DO bet
ter emphasized than to say that each
ono has made a SUCCESS, through his own
individual efforts. in his respective busi-
ness or profession. having faith in their
institution and tho future OF Richmond,
Immediately went TO work to secure plans
for modern flreproof Office structure.
For years II has been tho wonder OF
the poor as well as the rich OF Rich
mond, and the comment Of outsiders,
that Atlanta. Norfolk and other Southern
cities could have modern buildings and
that Richmond was tagging behind.
Still these .'old and substantial" resi-
dents went on wondering and repairing
their old shacks and erecting tax
payers upon the most valuable business
sites OF the city. It remained for this.
tho youngest of tho national banks Of
tho city, to start new err OF business
building construction for the city. The
benefits to the city have already been
remarkable and far-reaching, and the
Judgment and wisdom OF the directors
have been fully proven by the actual re-
suits OF the operation OF the building
since It's occupancy In October, 1904.
In selecting an architect for the work
tho committee was influenced only by
the experience and fitness Of the one to
be employed. and they have never had
cause to regret the employment of the
well known firm OF Wyatt & Noting, of
Baltimore, which Arm has erected some
OF the greatest buildings in this coun-
try, and by their wide experience and
great ability. were able to work out sat
isfnctoriy the architectural problem
which was rather an unusual one In
this case.
Tho committees instructions to tho
architects were to build the most modern
flrcproof building. with every considera-
tion Of safety from the outside as well
as interior fire troubles. The old and
proven steel and concrete construction
WIS adopted. there being no cast iron,
patent flreproofing. terra Gotta or other
so-called freproof materials used and
the wisdom of this selection was soon
to be proven by the Baltimore fire. where
brick. concrete and steel stood the test
better than any other class OF construc-
tion.
In this respect the American National
Bank building Is more nearly perfect
nreproof structure than any other Office
building in the State OF Virginia. The
insurance rate upon this building is $500
thofic M ,,,ht oh ia Oy~ab
with the rates charged on similar risks
in cities of like size In this country.
In the protection OF the tenants from
possible loss of life from panic or fire.
again the most approved and proven plan
was adopted-lNTERioR EXITS WIDE.
LY SEPARATED.
In the front Is an elevator. which car
ries fifteen passengers. and which runs
at high speed t3oo feet per minute).
making the round trip in forty seconds,
and a stairway leading to third floor.
In the rear or extreme southern end of
building Is fire stair from top to bot
tom. three feet wide and near which
there is n second elevator running ut
speed OF $50 feet per minute. making
the round trip In nifty seconds. Both
these elevators are kept in constant COM
mission, and the shafts at the bottom
are enclosed IN iron shooting, so that
there is no possibility of smoke from an
incipient fro In basement being comn1u-
nicated through tho building by this
means. and the rear elevator shaft Is
enclosed in Hreproof doors on every floor
for the same reason.
The boilers are confined In room With
fireproof floors. 40 that smoke from that
quarter cannot get into other parts of
the basement.
There is fire hose on every floor OF
the building. The chief OF the fire de-
partment was consulted during the con-
struction OF this building and has ex
amined the building number OF times
since It's construction. and he declares
that 1t is of the most approved con-
structton, and that a fire could be con-
f7ncd In any office of the building and
extinguished by his department before
II could be communicated to any other
part of the structure
The subject OF exterior fire escapes
was considered at the time Of the con-
struction OF the building. and was de-
clared by the chief Of the fire depart
ment and other experts as unnecessary.
and tho matter was then carefully con-
sidered by the ordinance Committee of
the City Council. and that committee at
three different meetings declared 1t UNI
necessary TO have exterior fire escapes.
The greatest source of danger to fire.
proof buildings is from adjoining build
ings. The experience with modern fire.
proof buildings has been that no such
building has been destroyed by fire en-
cept from exterior causes. and no loss
OF life has ever resulted in Office build
ings OF this style of construction. This
matter was given most careful attention
by the constructors OF the American
National Bank building. and they were
fortunate again In having the expert
enco Of the Baltimore fire to guide them.
and the most approved fire shutters upon
all exposures were placed upon the
building.
When 1t is considered that there are
only twelve ANAL offices upon each floor
OF this building, and that there is never
likely to be more than thirty people on
any floor at ono time. and the building
is only occupied during the day. there
being no sleeping apartments In the
building. and the means Of exit at either
end being such as will carry all persons