August.
THE WEST SHORE.
PORTLAND TOST OFFICE.
Our leading illustration represents the
new post office building, at Portland, Ore
gon, as it stands, now nearly ready for oc
cupation, at a cost of about a quarter of a
million. Perhaps the illustration will give
the reader a better idea of the exterior ap
pearance than we could by any description
in the limited space allowed us. Situated as
it is in the centre of an elevated block in
the heart of the city, between Fifth and
Sixth, Yamhill ani Morrison streets, it pre
sents, as viewed from either point of the
compass, a grand and maiestic arnearance.
The exquisite grounds, clothed with its al
most perpetual verdure peculiar to the mild
climate of Oregon, and the imposing struc
ture of beautiful blue free-stone, the con
spicuous situation, the solid and substantial
character of the work, the neat style of its
architecture, and the taste and perfection of
its construction from foundation to dome,
at once attracts the admiration, each part of
the work having been performej in the
mos: substantial and workmanlike manner,
under the immediate supervision of W. L.
Higgins, Esq., Superintendent of Construc
tion, who has just reason to feel prou 1 of
that monument of his skill, wliich will for
ages remain a record of his labor.
The fine and beautiful free-stone of which
the edifice is constructed, was taken from a
quarrj' near Bellingham Bay, W, T., by
Noah Lambert, under contract with the
government for a specified number of
stones of a certain sixe, t.uality and finish,
each stone when takei from the quarry
luv'nr l een designate I for a articular po
sition in the grand work of construction,
aid how well each stone has filled its in
tended office, to the width of a barleycorn;
a close inspection of the seams and layers
will bear testimony.
Ascending the stew at the eastern front
of the building, you enter upon a spacious
hall floored with black Belgian and white-
U'y a,- -next-
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American tile alternately laid, forming a
uwuunu mosaic finish, the south e:id of
the buildimr bcinir fitted 111 fr.r iha Prtei
Office Department Space will not allow
n extended description, but sufficient to
i uW uic inaue wore is in perfect keep
ing and harmonv wiiS th
veness displayed in the exterior, the
Vtmenu being commodious and the ar
' foment complete, the woodwork being
raty 11 of the best Of Oregon ash, that
d its present fine polish givet a rich
and luxurious appearance, and so com
pletely and systematically arranged that it
will greatly lessen the labor of employes in
that now laborious department, over which
Hon. Geo. A. Cole, present P. M, so
faithfullr nrMMM ' Tli nnnlrvil j,r,tn..
j to the Post Office being on the southern
front of the building, the visitbr steps im
mediate!)' in front of long rows of private
Post Office boxes, gotten up in accordance
with the most modem style of improve
ment, and numbering up to nine hundred
and ten, of the ordinary or letter style, with
sixty drawers for large business houses, and
passing on round to the right you arrive ut
the Money Order Department, the outer
front of which is finished with black walnut,
all in accordance with the same lavished
taste exhibited elsewhere. ,
In this building also are fitted up offices
for the Collector of Internal Revenue,
where Hon. O. N. Denny officiates in a
most agreeable manner; Survevor General's
Office, with Hon. Ben. Simpson occupant;
all lite work displaying exquisite taste and
arranged for convenience, showing plainly
ilui Uncle Sam feels such an interest in hit
boys lint he desires to tee them safely
ensconsed in comfortable quarters. ,
After ascending a double flight of steps,
of Oregon ash, to the second story, we come
upon the United States District Court
Room, also Clerk of U. S. Couru and U,
S. Marshal, all displaying the same su
perb taste in arrangement peculiar to