["Daily Local News," 25 May 1887, p4c2]
Great Wains of lumber stream out of the yards. Immense piles of brick and stone crowd the streets. The music of hammer and saw pulsates all over the city. Distracted painters and decorators vainly wish that they had been born twins. Skilled workman in all branches are fairly buried beneath a weight of orders.
This is the present condition in Ottawa. The nimble dollar is mighty busy circulating in improvement channels.
Few residents, we opine, are aware of the fact that at this immediate time there are, in process of construction and under control, nearly one hundred and fifty buildings, involving an outlay of about a quarter-of-a-million of dollars.
We honestly believe this to be a fact. We have made industrious enquiry and thought not prepared to give details in completeness, can present some figures that will no doubt be convincing. We enumerate a few:
The First National Bank building, corner of Main and Second, will cost $20,000. It will be a very handsome edifice. It is to be three stories in height, 90 feet deep, with a commodious basement. It will be of pressed brick, with Colorado red lime-stone and plate glass front. Fire proof vaults will be built on the first and second floors. The cornice will be of terra cotta. Mr. George P. Washburn is the architect of this building, as he is of most of these described below.
LAUDABLE ENTERPRISE.
["Ottawa Weekly Republic," 01 Mar 1888, page 3, column 3]
A Substantial Improvement Completed -The First National Bank in its New Quarters.
The First National Bank, of Ottawa, was organized October 10th, 1870. Up till today it occupied the old building known as the Hamblin House.
About a year ago the managers bought from John Davenport the property on the corner of Main and west Second street, with a view to erect a magnificent building to carry on properly their increasing business.
The plans were made and specifications prepared by Geo. P. Washburn, architect, who has certainly done himself credit. The estimated cost was $l5,000.
The edifice is constructed of fine pressed brick from St. Louis and beautiful red sandstone from Fort Collins, Colorado. The plate glass was supplied through our townsman E. H. Becker. Work was commenced nearly eleven months ago and was a great undertaking.
John Lowall filled the contract for foundation; Levi Shaner did the brick laying and sub-let the stone work to Simon Riedy; Williams & Scott had the contract for the carpenter work and all may be proud of the results.
Besides two large fire proof vaults, with Herring & Co's iron doors, there are several burglar proof, safes. The building is warmed by a Wilson steam boiler and Detroit Co's registers, fitted up, in first class style by Branson and Elder.
At the entrance from both and Second streets, is a vestibule, the walls of which are lined with glazed brick, such as seen in New York and other large cities. Over this, in large gold leaf letters is the name of the institution.
On the ground floor is the bank proper. The open space is for the convenience of the public who have business to transact. There is a fine open fireplace and mantel of polished cherry wood tables, desks and every convenience for customers.
The officers are separated by a circular line of counters, and artistically designed wire and brass partitions, in part of which large sheets of glass are set. The president's and vice-president's room comes first and is fitted up with all the modern improvements. Separated from them are the Cashier, assistant, and book-keeper, who are all equally convenient to their patrons and the vaults.
The furniture was supplied by A. H. Andrews and Co., and is all finished in Cherry. The ceiling is of polished three-ply birch and looks very pretty.
There is a private room, nicely furnished, lavoratory, wardrobe, cellar and other conveniences, in the rear, which show the wisdom of those who planned the internal part of the building.
The second floor has been finished for offices. Messrs Waddell & Allen have rented the entire story and at present occupy the front rooms.
The upper story is suitable for lodge meetings and the like. It is not yet fitted up and will be arranged to suit tenants.
The officers and directors naturally take a great a deal of pride in their New Quarters. They have involved a great outlay of time and money. They may well be satisfied with the result. The growing institution required better accommodation and greater facilities than the old building could ever afford. An edifice has been erected which everybody, interested in the prosperity of Ottawa, takes an interest in It has a fine appearance. The terra cotta cornice, while more expensive than the galvanized iron, looks better and is more satisfactory to insurance companies and firemen.
The Republican wishes the officers and directors the full measure of success in their new quarters which they so richly deserve.