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A DEER LODGE
RESIDENCE
Some eighteen
months ago, Mr. N. J. Bielenberg bought that fine piece of ground in Deer Lodge
on which the former dwelling of Hon. Wm. H. Clagget stood. About April 1st, 1883,
he commenced the construction of a residence on it. To-day it is practically
completed, and is carpeted and being furnished. The building, we believe, is
the best in Montana in some respects, and a such is worthy of special mention.
It is 47 x 53 feet in dimensions, exclusive of the two story bay window extentions,
has a seven foot basement, the first floor having 13 1/2 and the second floor
12 foot ceilings. The lower stone foundation walls are 40 inches thick, contracting
to 24 inches. The first story brick walls are 18 inches thick and the second
story 14 inches, with air space through out. There were used in the walls 343
perch of stone and 71,000 brick. The building contains thirteen rooms on the first
and second floor. Three of the front rooms, including parlors, 17x12 feet,
dining room 18x22 feet; living room 18x20 feet; kitchen 18x18; and the other
chambers are 16 or 18 feet square. A hall-way, almost as big as an ordinary
house. extends the entire depth of both stories and the partition walls are
supported on solid stone walls in the basement. There are 52 windows in the
building, all of large American double-plate glass, with inside shutters. On
the front and sides large verandahs are yet to be placed, and will be reached
by flights of broad, cut-stone steps. The building is heated by a hot-air furnace
in the basement, which heats the entire building with about the same
consumption of fuel as is used in the large size box stoves. The building
requires 700 yards of carpeting, which is laid in Brussels, plush, velvet and ingrains.
The furniture, which was purchased in Chicago and shipped by car-load, cost,
with the carpeting, over $6,000. We asked Mr. Bielenberg how much the building
cost. He said he could not recollect, but he recently insured it for $20,000.
The plans for the building were drawn by Col. Knox, of Butte; the brick and
stone work was done by McCherry & Chapleau and the carpenters were employed
by the day. Kennon & Zenor put on the tin roof, and Steinberg, of Butte, did
the painting and graining, which in the interior is principally oak and walnut.
Each of these artisans has done most excellent work. The building stands on a commanding
situation, in the centre of spacious grounds, with a beautiful grove of trees
on the west, and the liberal-handed owner will doubtless inclose and beautify
the grounds to correspond with the building. We congratulate him on having the
finest residence we have seen in the Territory, and Deer Lodge on having a
citizen who has the will and the means to build so beautiful, durable and commodious
a residence.
(The new North-west. (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, March 07,
1884)
