The Oskaloosa herald., 1910-10-13
NEW "BALDAUF" STORE
Opening of One of the Gre attest and
Finest in the State.

OSkalooSa mercantile houses have
entertained the general public at sea-
son openings and special occasions for
years. The opening idea came into
vogue back in the eighties, when a
remodeled store was thrown open one
evening for public inspection. 1t was
great occasion and no other firm
up TO that date had met with such a
demonstration. From that date, about
twenty-five years ago, openings have
been as popular in Oskaloosa as they
have in other places.
The opening OF the new Baldauf-
Rosenblatt store, corner of High ave
nue. and Market street, Tuesday after
noon and evening was a great event
for OskalOOsa and surrounding coun---
try. The three stories of The big build
ing were crowded AID the people were
coming and going constantly. There
were 800 people in the building at
one time and a careful estimate places
the crowd that visited the place dur.
ing the day at between eight and ten
thousand. Visitors were present for
the opening from De- Moines, Grinnall,
Washington, Ottumwa and interme,
date points. The opening was the
greatest of its Kind the city has ever
| known.
People who had not seen the great
new three story and basement build
ing marveled and said, what is this
miracle that has been wrought, a
new building on the ground where but
few days ago another structure
stood? The impossible has been &C.
complished. But that is only half OF
the tale. The old building was torn
down and the new building erected
and completed without the loss of a
days time to the business of the &C,
cupants. Two new buildings we're
erected one within the other and those
on the interior scarcely knew of the
great work in progress on the exterior
1t was no easy task that was set be-
fore contractor, John d. Mickey. His
accomplishments have been the wonder
of all and he has proved his resource.
fulness and capability. 1t is the great.
est piece of work of the character
ever attempted in OskaIoosa and its
successful accomplishment is as much
to the credit of the men who did it
as to those who made it possible.
The new building was erected by
and G. A, owners of the property, for
Williams, owners of the property, for
the Baldauf- Rosenblatt Company on
the site Of the old "Baldauf" building
a two-stOry structure Of obsolete type
When the project Of the new building
was preached the plans considered
Williams Brothers desired that their
tenants move to some other location
permit the wrecking of the old struct.
ure and the erection of new modern
building from basement to garrett
This was impossible. First, there was
no available location to which the
stock could be moved and handled
and next, the company did not care to
sustain the loss of business attendant
upon such a change. The possibility
of remaining in the place while new
structure was reared was admitted
by architect and contractors and on
tFose lines the work was accomplish.
ed. .... ... w-
The new structure stands to-day, a
model of it's type and class, three
S oTies and basement, modern con-
struction glass and metal fronts on
east and on the sides, fifty-one feet
on Market street by one hundred and
twenty feet on High avenue, large re-
cessed entrances, the newest, latest
idea in front construction.
The work was commenced July Is,
with the same rash that the finish was
accomplished. The building stood
practically completed September 10,
and finishing touches have been added
here and there until the day of the
opening. The work was accomplished
In sixty days, a new record for a job
of this magnitude and thing never
before heard OF In 0skaloosa. Men
and material We're ready to take up
with the work and every man worked
every available minute, days, nights
and Sundays until the work was com
pleteJ.
The walls OF the building above the
first story are OF st. Louis naottlsd
grey brick making handsome face. "
The windows are large and the lines,
while plain are pleasing and In excel