The Brick Blocks That Told Olympia It Had Arrived

During the season of building activity, which has attracted for Olympia more attention than any city on the Sound, three handsome structures have been erected, and stand as a mark of credit to the projectors. They are those erected by L. Bettman, at the corner of Adams and Fourth street, Joseph Chilberg on Main street, near Fourth, and State Auditor Reed’s block, at Washington and Sixth street.

The Bettman building is considered by capable mechanics to be one of the most substantial and thoroughly constructed buildings in the city. The foundation is laid with care, and neither expense nor time was spared to procure durability and convenience. There is nothing flowery about it, but it presents an imposing and formidable appearance. It is the first and only building in Olympia to be constructed entirely of pressed bricks, which were manufactured at the yard of Billings Lincoln, on East Fourth street. The structure is 100 feet deep and 93 feet wide, with five large and well lighted store rooms. On the upper floor the rooms are arranged for either offices or household purposes. Each room is connected with the other, and every one well lighted. The front rooms are all connected by sliding doors, making living apartments as convenient and cheerful as can be found in the city. All the rooms are provided with fuel boxes. The plumbing was done by Martin McCarthy, and is of the most improved design. Patnude and Miller were the contractors for the brick work and plastering. The building is as fully fireproof as it was possible to make it. The walls and foundation are built with the intention of erecting an additional story, and of extending the building on the property now occupied by Eugene Horton. A cement sidewalk 12 feet wide and 132 feet in length has been laid in front of the building. Smith and Kerr are the builders, and Large and Weeks the architects. The total cost will exceed $20,000.

THE REED BLOCK, in which is located Olympia’s new post office, has turned travel into Washington and Sixth street, and will be the means of converting both of these streets into business thoroughfares. Its location, directly opposite the new court house, also adds to its importance for office and business purposes. The building is of brick, trimmed with sand stone, and is a valuable acquisition to Olympia’s growth. It is 105 by 55 feet and with the value and additional work in view of its containing the post office represents an outlay of about $18,000. It contains large and well lighted storerooms on the lower floor while the upper floor has been designed with equal convenience for office purposes. In the front of the building are located the spacious quarters of United States land offices, the best and most complete in the state. The building too has been so constructed that an additional story may be added, and as soon as business will warrant it, the State Auditor will build on the 55 feet adjoining on the north, making an entrance between the two buildings. O. L. Cornwall was the builder.

Towering above the business houses to the right and left is THE HANDSOME CHILBERG BLOCK on Main street near Fourth. It appears to look with contempt upon the frame buildings around it which were erected so many years ago. The entire front is of Olympia pressed brick, giving it a rich and finished appearance. It is three stories high, with enough fire wall above to make another story. On the lower floor are two magnificent store rooms connected by an archway and occupied by J. Benson Starr and Rose Godard. Above are offices, nicely arranged, and so conveniently located that many were occupied almost before the completion of the building. Much difficulty was experienced with the foundation, progress having been retarded by a number of springs which sent up a volume of water. This was remedied by a liberal application of cement.

With a few more structures like the above and a little enterprise, the business streets of Olympia will be relieved of the antiquated buildings which mar their beauty.