Walking Where They Walked: First National Bank

First National Bank Building, Rock Springs Rocket, 30 May 1919


Rock Springs Rocket
20 May 1919 

The new First National Bank building which has just been completed, is a structure that Rock Springs may well feel a pride in having.  In fact, the institution is a credit to any city, and the expenditure of capital that was necessary to construct such a building, shows the confidence of the investors in the permanency of Rock Springs as well as a confidence in the future growth of the city.  The building stands a credit to the town and may be seen for miles from every direction as you come into the town.

The new bank building occupies an area of 40 by 140 feet, facing on S. Front street and also on a side street, which in time we presume, may be called “Wall” street or perhaps “Bank” street.

As one enters the main floor, or banking room, they are at once impressed with the beauty of the room and the ample space.   In the front is a sort of conference room to be used by the men clients of the institution, fitted with mahogany desk and chairs and wieh (sic) every convenience.  There is also a ladies room, fitted as a palor or conference room where the lady customers of the bank may hold business consultations.  A. Kendall, the president, and J.P Boyer, cashier, have splendid private offices for the regular bank routine.  Eight cages have been provided, but as yet not all are in use, but will be utilized as the bank gets adjusted.  All of these rooms are furnished in mahogany all the way through.  The floors are tile and the base of the fixtures are Pavanza marble from Arizona, the woodwork black walnut, and the cages brass.  In the center are marble desks for use of the customers and a marble bench for the convenience of the public.

The vaults are all re-inforced (sic), with steel doors, with the various compartments for the different departments, and also the safety deposit boxes.  Cases were also built in to take care of the blanks and stationery. 

First National Bank ad, Rock Springs Miner, 27 May 1921
The walls are tinted a light buff with stenciling in conventional pattern in blue.  Splendid chandeliers and lighting fixtures have also received careful attention.

The basement has been made into storage rooms for the bank and for the store rooms on the side street, all finished nice enough for stores if needed.  The heading plant of the American District Steam style of heating, occupies one part, and provides heat for the entire building on six ounces of steam.  The ventilation system is of the best, and the big stack has an inner metal stack that keeps the smoke and fire from the bricks and acts as the air cooler in the ventilation scheme.

Two store buildings measuring 24 by 36 feet, with high ceilings, fact the street.  These are well lighted and ventilated.

On the Mezzanine floor is a large room to be used as a Directors Room.  This has a brass rail with walnut base and top, and is furnished in mahogany.

Upstairs are thirty-four rooms some in suites and others single.  The steps leading up are marble, the floors upstairs are cement, all window sills are marble, the windows are weather stripped, and every room is with the best hardware.  The woodwork is natural quartered oak, the tinting on the walls corresponding to the rest of the building.  The best of plumbing also is used and this was furnished by Nels Anderson of the Superior Lumber company plumbing department.  A lavatory for ladies and one for gentlemen are on each floor.

The general offices of the Union Pacific Coal company occupy the third floor, General Manager Frank L. Manley, Superintendent W. D. Brennan , and Purchasing Agent W. K. Lee, having their offices in working order and a corp (unreadable) busy clerks and managers actively continuing the work after having moved the Cheyenne and Omaha offices here.

J. F. Leefers, contractor for the building has offices on the second floor.  Drs. Lauzer and Arbogast, Dr. Gutting and Dr. Shaffer have offices o this floor also.  Brown and DeNise occupy quarters on the third floor.

First National Bank, Rock Springs, September 2013, RR&B
The face of the building is terra-cotta glazed brick, cream in color, the building being re-inforced (sic) cement, with all outside entrances and windows fire proof.

The accompanying picture gives the public a good idea of the outside appearance of the building and a little later the bank building will be opened for a few evenings to show those who desire to see it what the interior of the institution is like.

Nothing was spared in the way of quality or convenience and the architect, D. D. Spani, comes in for a good share of credit for the completeness of his plans.

The first two customers of the bank when it opened for business in its new building Tuesday were A. A. Akers, who cashed a check, and A. Gugenbuel, who made a deposit.  Harry Carleson was the casher who waited on both customers.




Sources: 
Rock Springs Rocket, page one, 20 May 1919 Wyoming Newspaper Project, online at:  http://newspapers.wyo.gov/
Rock Springs Rocket, 30 May 1919, Wyoming Newspaper Project, online at:  http://newspapers.wyo.gov/
Rock Springs Miner, 27 May 1921, Wyoming Newspaper Project, online at:  http://newspapers.wyo.gov/





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