OK, I might be a total geek...but going back in time (through photos) is an interesting adventure whether you are looking at family or buildings. It's fun to look for the things that you may have missed...or never knew were there!
This photo of some local (1890's) rufians from Al Benjamin is a fine example. While there are MANY observations to make about our community from this photo I am, of course, concerned with the First National Building which appears in the background:
1. This is the first photo that I have seen without the metal cornice on the corner. We suspected that the brick detail that shows up on the neighboring storefronts was original and probably extended along the front of the First National Building. This photo shows that our suspicions were correct.
2. A small observation, but is important for the next, is that the Empire Street elevation was solid...no windows or doors.
3. No corner post. The storefronts along Main Street appear identical for the original building block (3 storefronts). It serves to reason, since the corner post and details are metal too, that these were added by the First National Bank.
4. Writing in the second floor windows (illegible) indicates that the second floor was occupied by an office or other business venture.
For those of us who don't visualize very well I put together a comparison. The angles aren't exactly the same but show in pretty clear detail the transformation that the building went through when the First National Building moved in...and what it looks like now. That's the reason we are working on this important central building in our community!
My question is why the metal cornice was added? Or, why was the brick detail turning the corner removed? Was it a move on the part of the FNB to add additional advertising to the top of the building? The cornice certainly does make a statement and is difficult to miss.
ReplyDeleteI haven't spent a lot of time on it but previous posts show the bank building that was already across the street when the FNB was established. THAT building has been described by one of our masons as a "Cadillac". No question, the FNB needed to make a statement with their building to compete with the amazing details across the street.
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