The Waupaca County National Bank

Caldwell Realty/Peterson Realty

122 South Main Street

Waupaca, Wisconsin

 

 

Information from Waupaca Republican

Friday, January 5, 1894

 

 

INTO ITS NEW QUARTERS

 

The Waupaca County National Bank Wishes Its Patrons Happy New Year

From its New Banking Rooms on Corner of Main and Union Streets

 

 

 

On New Year’s Day the Waupaca County National Bank moved over from Mr. Churchill’s block to its elegant new home in the new block erected the past summer and fall by Richard Lea, on the corner of Main and Union Streets.  The bank occupies a space of 20 x 70 feet fronting on Main Street, with a row of windows on Union Street besides the large plate glass front, to amply light the rooms.  The building is a stately three-story structure built of red pressed brick with blue limestone trimmings.  Then entrance to the bank being on the corner which has solid stone sides and arch work with Waupaca granite columns on each side of the doorway, each column surmounted with elegantly carved white marble.  The door is of cherry, oil finish, with an elegant ground glass panel.  On entering the bank you are confronted with surrounding that shows an air of solidity, safety and elegance.  Highly polished cherry panel work six feet or more in height runs clear around the bank and Director’s room.  The floor of the bank lobby is of colored tile, which has the appearance of inlaid marble work.  The base of the bank counter is of Tennessee marble, the balance of the work highly polished cherry, except in front and just above the counter there is a row of ground bevel plate glass panels and above the glass panels will be panels of wire work.  There are two business wicket gates of polished brass, one for the cashier, and one for the bookkeeper.  Inside the railing where the cashier and bookkeeper do their hard work and guard with watchful care the cash balances and business of the bank, can be seen the safety deposit vault of the bank.  The vault is supplied with a steel door and steel gate made by the Dibold Safe and Lock Co.  The interior of the vault has a Mosier fire and burglar-proof Chrome steel screw door safe for the bank’s treasure.  The safe has one of the latest improved time locks, so there is no use of a burglar trying to force the Cashier to open the bank for him because the Cashier or anybody couldn’t open the safe if they wanted to until the little clock work got around to the opening hour in the morning.  Passing from the banking room through an arched corridor you come to a pleasant room for the President and Directors, which is finished the same as the bank, except the floor is of hard birch, oiled.  This room in addition to a hot water radiator has a cozy fireplace in one corner.  We will also add that he bank like every room in the building has hot water pipes leading from the boiler in the basement and is supplied with plenty of heating radiators for all kinds of weather.  From the directors’ room, immediately across the hall to the first front room on Union Street is the Loan, Insurance and Real Estate office of Chas. Churchill, and law office of Chas. Churchill and Paul Sanborn.  Mr. Churchill being an officer of the bank his office is conveniently located where he can give his attention to business of the bank.  The Waupaca County National Bank is now numbered among the solid banking institutions of our city and county and it is a pleasure to know that while the times have been out of joint one way and another the past year, this bank has stood the test and its guarantees are as good as gold.  The bank is to be congratulated, also, upon having such a pleasant home provided for their growing business.  The officers of the bank are:  Chas. Churchill, Pres., L. D. Moses, Vice Pres., M. F. Skinner, Cashier.  Directors:  Chas. Churchill, L. H. Pelton, Ole O. Hole, L. D. Moses, M. F. Skinner.  They are all men long and favorably known in our community and need no flattering introduction.  Success to the Waupaca County National.  May it enjoy long life and increasing prosperity in its new home.

 

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Speaking of the new bank reminds us that the new block should have attention.  Architect Watters of Oshkosh drew the plans and specifications and last May Hon. A. G. Nelson took the contract to erect the building.  A crew of men commenced to tear away the old Roberts’ block about the middle of May, and during the summer and fall by the deft hands of masons and carpenters the building gradually rose unto completion.  It stands majestically in its place, a monument to the enterprise of the owner and skill of the contractor and builders.  Of course a few slight imperfections have occurred in the uneven setting of the foundation, but it is not the fault of the contractor, and it is hoped now that the stately structure has found its permanent bed, no further defacement to its beautiful front will be shown.  The cross walls, rising form the basement to the third story makes every floor solid.  Sand and mortar is spread on each floor and ha wood floors are laid over it, so all sound is deadened; besides it makes a protection in case of fire.  On the north side of the bank room is a neat store for some lines of business, which is not yet rented.  The room west of Mr. Churchill’s is already occupied by Peterson & Rogers’ Coffee House.  The basement contains the boiler and coal room and cellars for use of occupants.

 

The second story is done off in magnificent suites of office rooms.  H. L. Cormican having taken the corner front room and another room and a half on the south side for his Dental parlors.  There are two entrances to the second story, one on Main street, and one on Union street, both reached by easy stairways and lading at a wide corridor, so that all the office rooms are easy of access from the hall.  The entrance to the Knights of Pythias Castle Hall and Armory on the third floor is wide and the stairway is easy to ascend.

 

Their hall, reception and property rooms make the finest suite of lodge and social rooms in the state.  The Society made a five years lease of the rooms and they are planned and fitted up especially for the comfort of the lodge.  This floor like all the others is hot water heated and electrically lighted.  When the city gets a system of water works and sewers, modern conveniences in connection with the water will be placed in this building; every arrangement has been planned with that end in view.  Then it will be as modern a block in all respects as any city affords.