The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1915-01-07
new. POSTOFF|CE
BUILDING READY
NEW GOVERNMENT BUILDING TO
BE OCCUPIED WITHIN A
FEW DAYS
STRUCTURE COST $4,000 COMPLETED
Exclusive of the Site and is One of the
Finest Government Buildings in
the State-A Description

Bookings new government building
is ready for occupancy at last. The
people of this city have waited many a
weary year for this news and naturally
there is general rejoicing. The delay
has been a tedious one, not only since
the building was started, but for some
time previous, as the red tape of the
government held the appropriation up
after the bill had been passed. The
bill for a government building in
Bookings was introduced by Hon.
Philo Hall of this city, when he was a
years ago. An appropriation was
made at that time for the site and
this was followed later by a larger ap-
preparation for the building. There
was a long delay in preparing the
plans and letting the contract and it
was not until the spring of 1913 that
work was started. The building was
expected to be ready the first of last
August, but there were further delays
in the construction work. The build
ing is not all completed as yet, but it
will be ready for the moving in of the
post office the coming week.
Through the courtesy of Building
Inspector Rider, the government repre-
sentative on the work, WI were en-
abled to go through the new structure
the other day.
The building stands on one of the
most prominent corners of the city,
being located at the corner of Main
and Fifth streets, at the north end Of
the business section. 1t faces to the
west on Main street. The cut of the
building in this issue gives a better
idea of it's proportions than our de-
scription could. Suffice it to say it is a
very handsome structure, n Of the
finest public buildings in the state,
and is a splendid addition to the bust
ness section. The building cost $75,,
900, exclusive of the site. The Gen.
eral Construction Co. of Milwaukee,
are the contractors.
The architecture of the building is
pure Roman Ionic, and it has a hand
some and massive appearance. The
portico is supported by six 17-foot
columns.
It's ground dimensions are 57x74
feet, and it is one story and basement.
The height of the building is twenty
six feet to the parapet wall.
1t is of reinforced concrete con-
struction and is practically fire-proof.
The building is constructed Of In
diana Oolithic limestone, commonly
known as Bedford stone. The founda-
ton is of gray granite and is water
PROCEED. Twelve-foot cement walks
have been laid on both The west and
south and the steps leading to the
main entrance on the west and the
side entrance on the south are of
granite. The roof is of red shingle
tile, with copper decks and cutters. A
25-foot fagpole is mounted on the
roof. At the rear is a court paved with
brick on cement.
The exterior decorations are plain
but handsome. The Ionic cap and
Grecian fret, with eg~g-and-dart mould.
ing are used, and the cornice on the
west and south is trimmed with small
l~ion-heads. The west and south sides
are decorated with panels and
festoons, with marble disc in center,
and there is the conventional scroll
work over the doorway.
The two main entrances have re-
volving doors, with other outer doors
of metal. The windows, which are
large. are fitted with narrow-pane
glass.
The building is heated with vapor-
steam, the plant being located in the
basement. 1t will be lighted by cleo
tricity and is also piped for gas. The
light fixtures are Of solid brass.
The lobby, which the general public
will see most of, is a handsome room,
34x15 feet. The ceiling in this and
other rooms on the main floor is nine
teen feet high. The lobby is separated
from the work room on the east by an
oak and glass partition that reaches to
the ceiling. In this wall are located