Van Allen's Fire Proof Roof - 1886

VAN ALLEN

Posted By: Pat Ryan White (email)
Date: 4/12/2017 at 19:49:02

FIRE PROOF.

One of the novel improvements of our city recently is the new fire proof, brick abstract office of Geo. G. (sic: C.) Van Allen. Mr. Van Allen has felt the necessity of a fire proof building to keep his record books in for some time, especially since the fire in the Ambler block, which burned up some of his most valuable records which he has been compelled to duplicate at great cost of work and time. He has located his new building on the east end of the lot just across from the court house, north, and built it with arched brick ceiling so no fire can get to his books, should the entire roof burn off. His office is convenient to the court house, is on the first floor and is a model of convenience and neatness, as is all the work done or designed by Mr. Van Allen. As an abstracter Iowa has few men, if any, the superior of Mr. Van Allen, and we are glad he has got the records of his many years of careful searching in a position where they will be reasonably secure from fire, and his office especially convenient for himself and his customers.

["Mount Pleasant Journal", Thursday, July 29, 1886]