Bertolini Block

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DESCRIPTION CONDITION CHECK ONE -EXCELLENT -DETERIORATED __UN ALTERED __GOOD -RUINS ^.ALTERED X.FAIR _ UNEXPOSED CHECK ONE AoRIGINALSITE MOVED DATF DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (IF KNOWN) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE A. General appearance: two story brick store, rectangular in shape, with stone trim, fancy corbeled brick and tin cornice in front facade parapet wall; symmetrical front facade with fenestration and door bays separated by iron columns and wooden mull ions on the first level, four Roman-arched window bays In the brick second level. Bertolini Block is essentially the same in appearance as it was when constructed although now showing signs of considerable use and wear and 83 years. One story buildings are built along both the east and west side of the Block. The rear facade is unaltered and features an irregular arrangement of square window bays and segmentally arched door bays, as well as an exterior wooden stairway which leads to a second floor entry. None of the masonry has ever been painted. Only wood, iron and tin areas are painted. The top of the front parapet wall is badly deteriorated and is in need of repair. B. Plan: three levels including basement and two floors above grade; contains II rooms. Main floor has historically been used as a store and now houses a tavern. Upper floor has historically served as a boarding house and continues in this use to the present. The basement is used as a storage area. C. Details: 1. Iron columns: two cast iron columns with Corinthian capitals, one column on each side of the central door bay, support a metal beam which supports the brick wall of the second level. 2. Stone trim: a. Rusticated stones, laid horizontally in the pilasters at the east and west ends of the front facade, alternate with brick to .form a banding effect. b. Carved stones with foliated patterns placed' at the vexus of the first story cornicei and pilasters. c. Corbeled stone arches, connected in a single undulating line over the four window bays in the second level; fancy, carved terminals, at ends of arched band and at swelI of each arch. d. Parapet cap of stone is deteriorated to an extent of no longer being intact. 3. Brick trim: a. Two courses of radiating voussoirs over the Roman-arched window bays, b. Corbeled dentils in the fancy cornice beneath the parapet. 4. Metal trim: a. Upper cornice very fancy grouping of mouldings and dentils in horizontal sands, corbeled with increases in height. b. Lower cornice simple moulding, a single dentil band with a wide ribbed band beneath. 5. Wood trim: simple window and door trim, with modest period mull ion mouldings on the main level. 6. Door bays: single doors in recessed bays with transoms above; original doors are gone. 7. Window bays: large glass panes at store level with smaller transoms above most of the lower story glass is painted. Second story windows are Roman-arched, I/I doublehung sash type.