Beardmore Building Chimeras - Priest River, ID
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member T0SHEA
N 48° 10.783 W 116° 54.437
11U E 506892 N 5336279
When the registration form for this historic district was written, the Beardmore was vacant and in a state of disrepair. Times have changed and this, the largest and most impressive building in the district, has been restored and is partially leased.
Waymark Code: WMKYN4
Location: Idaho, United States
Date Posted: 06/16/2014
Published By:Groundspeak Regular Member Math Teacher
Views: 2

In the upper corners of the building, at the cornice, are terra cotta chimeras, a pair on each corner. They are just a small part of the terra cotta which is spread around the building.

The Beardmore Building (now vacant) is architecturally the most imposing property located within the District. The large two-story, flat-roofed building is of hollow-core, brick masonry construction set on a concrete foundation. The building measures 120'-0" x 105'-0". The lower level is divided into numerous storefronts which have been occupied by various business, service, and professional establishments over the years. The first floor reflects this commercial traffic; every storefront has been modified to varying degrees by a succession of tenants. Some storefronts have been sheathed in materials incompatible with the original; others retain most elements of the original design, including violet-colored transom windows. The building's east (Main Street) façade and its south (High Street) façade are nearly identical in appearance, except that the Main Street façade is longer.

The building's most impressive architectural embellishment is the stepped parapet, which is given added distinction by terra-cotta coping. Extensive use of terra-cotta is the building's most arresting artistic feature. A dropped cornice of terra-cotta supported by brackets complements the roof line. Above each bracket is a terra-cotta block containing a floral/leaf motif. Capping the corners of the building above the cornices are terra-cotta corner blocks with gargoyles executed in high-relief. Terra-cotta blocks, placed between the upper and lower levels, distinguish the spaces between the commercial bays. The fenestration on the upper level consists of a series of paired- and triple- wood frame, one-over-one double-hung sash windows, which are original. Most of the glazing on the upper level of the building is not intact.

Years of vacancy and age and weather related deterioration have caused serious damage to the interior of the Beardmore Building. However, the building has retained fair exterior integrity, and displays the evolution of building construction in Priest River's commercial core during the period of significance.
From the Idaho Historical Society
Water spout is used: no

Condition: Lightly Weathered

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