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We
once photographed this former bank building years ago (pre-digital)
for its more than generous offering of stonework. The building was
for sale even then. The carvings represent nearly every (manly) occupation
in the Beaumont
area when the bank was built.
There were farmers, concrete pourers, electricians, lumbermen, river
pilots and even a rat-catcher. (Or at least a man that appears to
be decapitating a rodent of some sort.) (See images) |
The Beaumont
Bank Building
Photo by John Troesser, April 2012 |
The
overall impression of the building is a cross between an ancient Egyptian
tomb and Scrooge McDuck’s money bin. Intimidating to would-be robbers?
You bet. There’s only one entrance with a door that couldn’t be opened
carrying both a gun and money bags.
But what of robbers who used fountain pens instead of guns? It appears
as though the bank conferred with the detail architect and included
two panels way up high on the building’s façade.
They are hard to notice, even without pedestrians or traffic. These
photos were taken from the middle of the street on a Friday afternoon.
The panels show two neatly-dressed men seated at a table. Behind them
are uniformed guards. In the first panel (left facing the building)
there’s a large bag of money between the two.
In the second panel an un-uniformed man stands behind the man seated
on the left. He’s holding two smaller bags of money while the man
seated opposite him sits with his head lowered in apparent shame.
The banker is holding a (finely etched) paper. |
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"There’s
a large bag of money between the two"
Photo by John Troesser, April 2012 |
"He’s holding
two smaller bags of money while the man seated opposite him sits with
his head lowered in apparent shame."
Photo by John Troesser, April 2012 |
Since there’s
no text present (Late Borrowers will Be Given Life Sentences) to explain
the story, it’s confusing as to what exactly is going on. As ornamental
bank details, they may be unique. Since the building is now for sale,
inquiries cannot be made inside (as if…).
Anyone with a plausible or amusing story of what’s happening in these
two panels can write to editor@texasescapes.com
with the subject line of Beaumont Bank Building. Emails will be added
to this page. |
Building Detail
(one of 12 vocational panels)
Photo by John Troesser, April 2012 |
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Serious
Pouring
Photo
by John Troesser, April 2012
|
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In an over-the-door
tableau, a banker implores hardworking Beaumonters to dress themselves.
Photo by John Troesser, April 2012
|
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Deserted Downtown
Beaumont
at 6:20:
"Does
anybody really know what time it is?"
Photo by John Troesser, April 2012
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