Democratic messenger., 1911-12-02
The Phenomenal Success OF
a Snow Hill Boy

We are always pleased to note the
success of Snow Hill or Worcester Coun-
ty boys, and one of the most notable ex-
amples we have ever chronicled is the
rapid rise and phenomenal success in the
construction and building field of our
young friend Mr.. A. ID. Irwin. Jr.
Graduating eight years ago from Penn
sylvania Military College, he served an
apprenticeship in the building Of large
round house at Altoona. and in the con-
struction Of several other important
buildings under the employ of Royd-
house. Arey & Co.. of Philadelphia. In
April Of 1909. he formed partnership
with Mr. Archie Leighton, under the
firm name of Irwin & Leighton. Mr..
Leighton was also in the employ of
Roydhouse, Arey & Co., and each found
in the other the proper balance, and the
essential qualities upon which to build
and work for sure and lasting success.
Their first contract was $3.50, 000 90
addition to the Strand Hotel in Atlantic
City, This addition was completed
ahead of specified time, but before its
completion they were engaged in the
erection of several other large build
ings. Their work accumulated so rapid
ly, entailing more room, a larger Office
force. and greater conveniences, that
they soon felt the necessity of acquiring
more commodious quarters. With this
in view, they recently purchased lot
on the corner of 18th & Cherry Streets,
on which they have erected a handsome
three story building with basement.
The building was formally opened to the
public last Saturday, invitations having
been sent out to a lunch from twelve to
three o'clock This was followed by the
inspection of the new offices. In the
evening Messrs. Irwin Il Leighton gave
a dinner party at the Continental Hotel
to a few intimate friends and business
thirty guests. The dinner party was
followed by theatre party, the guests
marching in body to their seats.
The new building of Irwin & Leigh
ton is l04 feet long, and has breadth
of Is feet. 1t is three stories high, and
has a basement. The exterior is cream
color, and presents a very handsome
appearance with its rough Tapestry
brick. and terra Gotta trimmings to
match the brick. The roof is green
tile The interior is finished in quar-
tered oak, throughout; the walls in sand
finished plaster, painted three colors.
The entrance is in the centre of the
building on Cherry Street. The entrance
hall is wainscoted with quartered oak,
marble Terrazzo floor, and marble base.
The second floor contains the public
lobby. general offices and private offices.
The third floor contains the public esti-
mating room, engineering department,
plan room. and drafting rooms.
The building is equipped with twenty
telephone stations in addition to the
switchboards, and with a complete sys-
TEN of call bells. 1t is heated by the
Thermagrade system of regulated con-
troll. II also contains an electric eleva-
tor. and a commodious fire proof vault.
All the electric fixtures and hardware
are of special design and finish. The
furniture throughout was made to or
der and finished to match the other
wood in the building.
On their last record of jobs Messrs.
Irwin & Leighton had total of twenty
two contracts under way, and were
operating in five states. Some OF their
important contracts, some of which nave
been completed, and some of which are
in course of construction. are given
below. Automobile Show Rooms, Phil
adelphia; Columbia Avenue Station, P.
& X. Ry Co, Philadelphia; Passenger
Station. Pennsylvania Railroad Com
pany. Greensburg, Pa; Pennsylvania
Railroad Shop Buildings. Baltimore;
eight story reinforced concrete building,
Philadelphia Bank Building, Camden.
New Jersey: Keystone Theatre, Phil
adelphia: Shop Buildings, Baltimore &
Ohio Railroad, Tunnel. West Virginia;
nine story concrete warehouse. Del
aware Avenue & Walnut Street, Phil
adelphia. The last mentioned building
is nine story warehouse, l50xl60 feet,
and is one of the largest concrete build
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