Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1909-06-21
NEW FIRST NATIONAL BANK
BUILDING.

The First National Bank OF this city
opened its doors today In its msgni6-
cent new home, which Is situated on
King street between Pitt and st. Asaph.
The building has awakened much ADM.
ration while being constructed, bat nut
until today has it been seen 10 Its COM
pleteness, sud many of those who have
inspected it congratulated the officers
on having building which would be a
great credit to any city.
About year sgo the architects were
selected by competition, and MesUrs.
Vogt & M drill proved to be the authors
Of the winning drawings. Mr.. Morrill,.
of this city, who has had direct charge
of the work, is well.known here as the
architect of the Fairfax Apartments.
the Surprise Theatre, and several other
handsome structures.
The building as constructed surpssses
the first design, and Alexandra has in
it structure which cannot be surpassed
for simplicity, dignity and beauty.
As one enters the bronze doorway and
the spacious vestibule, the lobby with
its marble and brOnzs screen is directly
In front and the wickets are grouped
around, the ladies' room at one side and
the presidents and cashiers Offices on
the other; the paying and receiving
teller's on the right.
The building is absolutely 6reproof,
the floor and vanlted ceiling construc-
ton being of reinforced concrete, the
frat important example of this type Of
construction 10 this city. The lobby
floor is of white marble, and elsewhere
he floor is OF 3 composition with no
cracks or Joints and with sll corners
curved forming sanitary base which fscill-
iates cleaning.
The vault Is placed directly opposite
the entrance, and is decorated In French
Caen stone. The massive doors are
built up of fifteen inches of tOol.proof
steel plates, and with the interlOcked
railroad iron grille work, which en-
closes the steel shell and is embedded ia
concrete, it is one of the most secure
deposit vaults in this section.
The front portion of the vault co, !.
tains deposit boxes which are for the
use of patrons, and the money Guests
occupy the back compartment. Upon
the front of the vault is plse ed the
beautiful bronze electric cloc'x which
automatically receives the COZ rect timt
from Washington each day.
A unique aud new feature in thi.
building is the wstchmsu' room or look
out above the vault, wb ere unobseryed
the guard can hear AMI see every move
ment in the building.
Hot water heat Ia used throughout snC
the bank officers and clerical force are
afforded every convenience.
The light used is perfect, and the
mellow tone given by the beautiful
ceiling light makes 1t extremely attrac-
tive.
AT the rear of the banking room ON
the right is the directors room, which
is tastefuly decorated with oak wsins-
co. on burlsp panelliDg. An attractive
tile fireplace occupies corner. Ad-
joining the directors room is the private
lavatory. At the rear on the left is q
commodions locker room, equipped with
steel furniture and lavsIory sdjoiDs
this.
Several months delay in construction
was eau sed in the delivery OF the marble
work, tn is coming from a new quarry OF
very fine stone in Alabama. The
cresting which was intended to surmount
the pediment when delivered proved to
be much heavier than called for by the
drawings, and after consultation with
Washington engineers it was decided to
try the appearance of the cresting set
back slightlY. This did not help the
appearance Of the building, and the
architects advised that the crestiDg be-
removed and omitted and q deduction
made from the contract.
The front, as we'll az the interior Of
the building, Is very simple and impress
Hive, and is Of type of design and con-
struction to lsst and be admired for
many generations
Our people have watched with gTezf
interest the construction of this building
which is to be the home of one of the
eldest a1d best known banks OF Virgins,
aad the fact that the design and con-
structiou WIS largely the work OF an
Alexandria architect adds much to the
interest and pride 10 the successful out
come.
Today the bank was visited by a large
number OF persons all OF who expressed
admiration at the building aud its fur
nishings. President Charles r. Hoofi,
who has been quite iDdisposed for some
time was at his desk and with the other
officers of the bank, received the hearty
congratulations of al the callers. Mr..
Hoof was also the recipient of many
beautiful flowers sent him as q note
Of appreciation of numbers OF his friends.
TEN PERSONS KILLED.
Ten persons were killed and Al injured in q