Year: 1873

AS the stranger leaves the depot il


Rutland he cannot help noticing the ele


CANT and substantial looking building


almost directly opposite him, the Baxter


National Bank Building, now nearly


cympleted- Its imposing front of three


stories, with a high French roof and


lofty dome, exclusive of basement, oc-


cupies forty-five feet on Merchants Row,


while the depth is seventy y-five feet, max
ing it one of the largest bank buildings
TO be found in Vermont


The exterior presents a fine archi-
tectural appearance, being regularly ard
substantially built of pressed brick,
trimmed and corniced with heavy iron
details, the porch being of that metal


with the exception of the roof, which
will be of copper. The columns are
heavy plated ones, corresponding to the
most modern style of architecture, and
being at once articles of ornament and
| use. The foundations are firmly laid
with immense blocks of stone, and the
underpinning is carried up four and
a-half feet above the grade in symmet-
rical form of marble, built of cut blocks
with an elegant finish, the sides and rear
being in that style known as "rubble
wall. The front windows are large and
arched and supplied with the finest glass.
The whole building is furnished with
iron shutters, appliances most useful in
case of fire. From ground to flagstaff,
the height is l8 feet, and the view from
the observatory at that elevation is sur
passingly fine. The observatory is sur
mounted by fine liberty pole, capped
with golden eagle, The iron cresting
of the dome is done in sky blue and G Id
and sets off the upper portion of the edi-
flee with fine effect. The Mansard roof
is handsomely slated, while the flat nor-
tion on the rear is timed.


Ascending the marble steps of the
main entrance we pass through an arched
doorway and stand in a spacious vesti-
bule. Oh the right is the presidents
room, an apartment 16x24 feet, which
is to be fitted up in an elegant and luxu-
rious manner. The ceilings on the first
floor are sixteen feet high and are to lie
frescoed in the very best manner. IN
the rear Of the presidents room, with an
entrance at the end of the vestibule OPP
pOsite the main entrance, is the banking
room which is % feet square. Dividing
the room into two parts will be the coun-
ter at the right of the doorway In the
rear Of the enclosed portion is the vault,
a fre-proof structure provided with Her
rings steel burglar-proof safes. Adjoin-
ing the vault on the left is the directors
room, 16x30, which will be handsomely
furnished At the left OF the banking
room is the janitor's room, bath
room, water closet, etc. The whole
is to be finished in black walnut, with
ash in some places all the rooms are to
be wainscotted. On this floor there will
be two magnificent fire places, one in
the directors room and one in the presi-
dents Office Returning to the vesti-
bule we pass through a door opposite
that of the presidents room and enter a
kind of hall, from which a circular stair
way takes us to the second floor. Here
on the left we find a fine long ball,
flapked on the side by four large offices
which can also be made into two suits
of rooms. In the rear is another suit.
This floor is also supplied by the best of
water and gas facilities. On the right
of the landing is the stairway leading to
the third floor which is in one grand
hall, twety-two feet high with an arChed
ceiling. This room is designed for
dancing or lecture hall, and for amUse-
ments generally, and will be finished in
the most elaborate fashion. On the left
is balcony which will be rallied up. aud
while elevated so as not to interfere with
the floor room, will be made ornamental.
1t will also serve as a landing whence ac-
cess is to be gained to the garret inn
mediately above and the observatory
still higher up. This latter is fifteen
feet square and viii furnish a beautiful
lookout, as it rises majestically above
all the surrounding buildings. The
whole building is constructed in the most
approved manner, uniting at once
durability and beauty. The brick fire
proof partitions start from the ground
in the basement and rise to the third
story. The timber work is done in the
best bridge style, and is secured with
iron rods. The heating apparatus, which
cost about $1,000, is nearly complete and
includes an improved tubular boiler of
Gould's patent (put in by Brakeman &
Latham, New Haven, Conn., with
which there is no possibility of an eX-
plosion. Ventilation is secured through
out, and in the hall, on the third floor,
two ceiling wells answer that purpose,
as well as contain immense crystal re-
Electors. At the left Of the main entrance
is second leading to the hall which
communicates with the upper floors, so
that they can be used when the bank is
closed. There is a direct communica-
tion from the bottom to the very top of
the building by a series of stairways,
and the building will be plentifully sup
piled by hose, which, in case of fire,
will be found most effectual, as it can be
attached in the dome and the whole
lower part, or the surrounding houses,
drenched.


The erection of the whole building
has been done under the supervision of
Mr.. NJ. w. Lyman, who, as architect,
planned it. 1t ceretainly reflects credit
upon his skill as an architect and his
practical qualities as builder, though
the excellent taste of General Baxter
doubtless furnished him with many
valuable suggestions. The mason work
was done under charge of William Wal
colt, the plumbing and gas fitting by P.
S. Ryan, the tin work by Dunn & Cram
ton and the painting by ]. N. Howard.
1t is estimated that the building will