The Sunday Gazetteer
Sunday, September 27, 1885
pg. 1

NEW BUILDINGS
Throughout the course of the year just ended the work of improvement in Denison marched on without intermission and the result is today the wonder and admiration of the visitor and the pride of the citizen. In order to show a more detailed account of this work a Gazetteer reporter called upon the architects of the city and obtained the following reliable facts relative to the same. First comes the work of Mr. Joseph Schott, an architect of marked ability, whose reliable business qualities strongly recommend him to the public.


Mr. Schott's Work - Business Buildings
For Dr. Nagle - one two-story brick with artificial stone front, 25x100; cost - $5,500
For Owen McCarthy - one two-story brick, two fronts, 50x120, cost $14,000
A.A. Coffin - two-story brick, 25x90; cost $2,000
Eppstein & Westheimer - two-story brick, 25x100; cost $4,500
George Braun - one-story brick, 25x50; cost $1,800
Francisco Chanky & Co - two-story brick; cost $2,000
Alec Rennie - one-story brick, divided into six stores, 20x40 each; cost $9,500
J. Nolan - two-story livery stable, stone and brick, 26x81; cost $3,000
J. Mandere - one-story, brick and stone, 25x60; cost $1,500
J. Nolan - stone and brick, 25x82; cost $2,000
Werbeberg & Son - brick and stone, 25x60; cost $3,000
Reddick & O'Donnell - two-story brick and stone, 50x100, in course of erection; cost $14,000
C.M. Daughtery - two-story brick and stone, 25x100, in course of erection; cost $4,500

Residences
Chas. Cunningham - two-story; cost $3,500
Sam Star - two-story with 12 rooms; cost $8,000
Owen McCarthy - two-story with 7 rooms; cost $2,000
A.R. Collins - 5 room addition to two-story residence; cost $2,500
C.T. Daughtery - two-story with 9 rooms; cost $3,500
In addition to the above Mr. Schott mentions the construction of eight other brick and frame cottages of an average cost of $1,500 each; also two other residences now being constructed at a cost of $1,800 each.
And Mr. Schott further states that he might enumerate quite a number of small cottages which have been erected within the past year, but his showing is already a very creditable one, aggregating, as it does, the erection of new buildings to the amount of $117, 700.

THE WORK OF P. LELARDOUX
The above named gentleman is an architect of very fine ability, and withal a man endowed with all the necessary qualities to render him a valuable factor in the business and social circle of the city. Being called upon for a synopsis of his work for the year passed, he willingly responded, furnishing data of the fullest character.
Commencing with the mammoth building of Hanna, Platter & Waples, on the south side of Main street and close to the track of the Mo. Pac. railroad. It is a two-story brick building with a frontage of 111 feet on Main street and is 120 feet deep, running back to the alley. The great convenience is that the railroad track runs alongside of the building so that cars can be loaded and unloaded from and into it. It is built of brick all around, with a front of pressed brick and stone trimmings, and in addition is elaborately embellished with imposing galvanized iron cornice. The second floor is supported by iron columns, inside and throughout. In fact the structure is very strongly built; all the walls and piers resting on solid rock; and although the strain of such an immense area of floor is very great on the outside walls, no sign of cracks or weakening of parts is seen. Finally, we might mention the fire-proof vault on the first floor, which is of ample size to accommodate the large firm using it. The cost of this building was $20,000.
The State National Bank building erected on the southwest corner of Main street and Rusk avenue, is a three-story structure, 25x65 - built of brick and stone. The first floor is raised about three feet above the sidewalk. The outside walls below the level of the first floor are built of solid cut stone, and and the steps and pilaster bases are of the same material; the upper walls are of pressed brick and stone; the stone work forming the prominent members of a Doric Renaissance style that prove a good effect. The top story is treated as a Louis XVI roof, broken by pavilions and dormer windows. The doorway on the angle is surmounted by a projecting balcony, and shows some very pretty work both in the stone work of the pilasters and jambs, also in the woodwork of the door, which is of solid black walnut, richly carved. Two very large windows, each a single light of best plate glass, one on each front of the building and on either side of the doorway. These, with three other 5x10 windows, make the banking room one of the best lighted to be found anywhere. The directors' room is also splendidly lighted by large plate glass windows. The banking room has a fire-proof vault, constructed on a new principle. Fresh, dry air is taken from the street through a pipe opening into the wall above the side walk, and carried under ground to an air chamber below the flagging of the vault; from the air chamber the fresh air is distributed through the inside of the vault, escaping at the top; it also fills the hollow space of the vault walls - provision being made for this air to escape even if the upper floor should fall and burn on the vault. No iron whatever is used in the construction of the vault. The second story of the building is reached by a hardwood stairway, wainscoted on each side. The story is divided into suits of rooms and offices, and is now occupied by the president of the bank and his family. The third floor is fitted up for a Masonic lodge, with all necessary parlors, ante-rooms, etc. The building on the inside is finished in black walnut and native pine, worked up in a long casing and molding, producing a rich combination of colors. The building cost $15,000.
Dr. D.A. Cook's building is a two-story brick store with iron columns, while fringe and cornice ornament the front. The building is 25x100; has a freight elevator to lift goods to the second story. The design of the front is simple and elegant - one of the most telling on the street. It cost $5,500.
Mrs. M.A. Chichet's building, 25x100, of the same general character as the above, except the main cornice which makes the front look different and gives a more coquettish air to the building. It cost $5,500.
Hon. R.C. Foster's residence
We next turn our steps toward the elegant residence of Dr. A.W Acheson. Long before its site was reached we can see it towering above the forest trees in noble magnificence, a wonderful monument of the city's wealth and enterprise. As we approach nearer we are enabled to catch occasional glimpses of its elegant outlines, which at once inspire us with the grandeur of the place. The best view, however, is from the street in a southeasterly direction; and while the view is as yet somewhat obstructed by the trees we can see see the effect of the general mass, standing out boldly in its well calculated proportions and carefully and modestly elegant design. The style is decidedly Italian and seems to be very appropriate to our sunny clime. The building has not received the finishing touches, but as we had the good fortune to meet the very obliging architect (Mr. Lelardoux) here he will conduct us through the palace and explain what is being done, so that we may accurately describe the building as far as space will permit. The house as seen from the outside is a three-story building over a light habitable cellar or basement. It is all built of brick and stone, inside and out - no wooden partitions occurring save in the attic. The outside brick walls are hollow and are faced with our best Denison gray bricks. They are trimmed partly with Philadelphia pressed bricks and partly with our own native blue limestone. All the exposed parts of the cellar walls are of range work, topped with a heavy casing which projects uniformly beyond the brick line all around, and is a perfect picture of strength in the building. Here there is no wooden piazza to crack and decay in spite of the yearly and expensive coat of paint. Everything is clean and durable; cut stone steps and platform; cement floor and iron columns; galvanized iron cornice, moldings, railings, etc., everywhere - something to last and reflect credit to the owner. We now ascend the broad flight of stone steps, leading to the front entrance; the doors are open and the first thing that comes in range of our delighted vision is a grand mantle piece which sets at the furtherest side of the hall and facing the front doors. We look at it through the heavy folds of a rich "portiere" and we can but admire the tasty and truly artistic effect of that immense hall with its pretty tile floor, fine woodwork and handsome ceiling. High art tiles are used for the facings of the grate in the mantle piece and also in the wainscoting around the hall and vestibule. Sincrusto-Watton is worked up into panels and friezes between the finest of openings. The ceiling is beautifully corniced and paneled and finely decorated with fresco work. The hall is octangle in shape - 16 ft. across - with an opening in each face of the octagon. First a vestibule, then a window on each side; a door to the parlor; a door to the sitting room; one to the dining room and another to the stairway - the fireplace filling up the side opposite the vestibule. The parlor occupies the front part of the house, with two windows on the south; one on the east, giving access to the front piazza; two windows on the west, opening also on a piazza - a fireplace in the center of the west side and a door leading to the dining room. The size of the parlor is 16x22 feet. The dining room forms the west wing of the house, with a window on the south, opening on the west piazza - two windows on the west side and one on the north. A fire place also occupies a position in the center of the north side. The size of the dining room is 14x20.6, and is connected with the kitchen by a passage way and has a closet for silverware on the end next to the hall - the China closet opening off from the passage way to the kitchen. Turning from the hall again we enter another very costly and cheerful room - this is the living or sitting room. It overlooks the grounds on the east and has, besides a fine view toward the south and north, a fireplace on the north side and a large bay window on the east. The room has access to the front piazza and also to the piazza on the northeast; its size is 14x19, exclusive of the bay window, which makes it over five feet longer. The living room communicates with the stairway without going through the hall. The main stairway is very imposing with its broad steps and wide mid-way platform. It fills up a stair hall 10x18, and its main access is from the octagon entrance hall. We ascend its easy grade and find ourselves on broad landing which leads to all the rooms of the second story - through deep archway and wide and well lighted halls. The front part contains four principal bed-rooms with southern exposure. Each one has a fire place and access to wide and shady balconies. The back part is composed of a very large and well appointed bath room, hall, closets and a servant room. The back part is reached through a private stair way that starts from a passage between the dining room and kitchen; under this back stairway is another flight leading from the kitchen to the laundry in the basement. The finishing is very complete and the house is lighted by gas produced by an improved gas machine. Speaking tubes and trumpets are all through the building. Well, we now reach the attic, being higher up in aerial regions. This portion is partitioned off into rooms - all very desirable; the one over the east wing being simply lovely, as it has a covered balcony with a commanding view of the beautiful grounds. But ever here we would miss a very interesting part of our object if we did not climb up the spiral stairs that lead to the platform of the tower. We have heard so much of the grand panorama that spreads itself miles around to neglect the opportunity of seeing for ourselves, and here we are on top of the stairs, inside of an octagon observatory whose windows run out of sight and leave it completely open all around. The observatory is surrounded by a platform 3-1/2 feet wide on which you can promenade and enjoy the beauty of the view. ("Ha! look," says the architect, as he touched our elbow, "be careful not to step over that intended railing, or you might get badly in need of the Doctor's professional services!" Of course we heeded well the words of caution, but in the event of an awkward step the services of the grave digger would doubtless have been in greater demand than those of a physician, which cease with the end of life.) This platform stands fifty feet above the natural ground and the ground itself is the highest point in and around Denison. We will not pause here, however, to repeat what has been said concerning the extent of country that one can discern by his own or borrowed eyes - dismissing the subject by simply saying that if you desire to behold Denison, in all her queenly beauty, robed in rays of splendor and worth, seek this tower and gaze and admire. We tried hard to learn the cost of this palatial structure, but the Doctor is reticent on the subject, leaving us to guess at the price, consequently our readers must do likewise. The cost no doubt goes high up into the thousands.

Murray, B. C.The Sunday Gazetteer. (Denison, Tex.), Vol. 4, No. 21, Ed. 1 Sunday, September 27, 1885. The Portal to Texas History. http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth572110/. Accessed April 15, 2015.


The Sunday Gazetteer
Sunday, July 7, 1889

Some New Buildings
Architect Joseph Schott has recently completed the plans for a building of brick and artificial stone for A.R. Collins, to be erected between the present Collins block and the Garner & Haynes building. As designed it will be the highest building on Main street, rising three lofty stories in height, and being surmounted by a tall and handsome cupola. The design is highly elegant and modern, and when the building is completed it will be a credit to the city.
Mr. George Knaur let the contract Wednesday for the erection of a handsome 7-room residence, to be built upon his property in the western suburbs of the city, at a cost of $1800. The building will be a frame, of handsome design, Mr. Anders is the contractor, and Jos. Schott the architect.
J.C. Riggs has been awarded the contract for the erection of S.C. Burson's new 2-story residence on Houston avenue, the plans for which are now in the hands of architect Schott. The building will be of a handsome design, containing 8 large rooms, and will cost $2000.
In addition to these buildings already under contract Mr. Schott has under way the plans for a handsome 4-room cottage for Engineer Newt Woodring, to be erected upon his property on Owings street, near Mirick avenue. It will be handsomely finished and will cost $1500.