original and intact c. 1907-09 american antique ornamental cast brass interior office door unit lock salvaged from the praetorian building, located in dallas, texas. the patented emblematic office door hardware contains a shield with symbolism pertaining to the praetorian fraternal insurance society. the knobs and decorative backplates have been refinished and treated with an oil-rubbed bronze metallic finish. the praetorian building (also known as stone place tower) was constructed in 1909 and is regarded as the first skyscraper in dallas, and in the state of texas. it remained the tallest building in the city until 1912. it is also classified as the first skyscraper to be constructed in the southwestern united states, and sometimes considered the first skyscraper in the entire western united states. the praetorian tower was conceived as the national headquarters of the praetorian order, a fraternal insurance company based in dallas. the mostly empty plot of land at main street and stone street had previously hosted the circus, medicine shows and college football events. in 1905 the order announced a six story, fireproof building capable of expanding eight additional floors. months later, plans were changed to construct a fifteen story building. construction began in late 1905 and was completed in 1909 after much delay. designed by c.w. bulger & son, its unique neoclassical exterior was fitted with gray granite pillars, gold ornamentation, and terra cotta columns on a brick and steel structural frame. the interior was finished with african mahogany, tile and marble. backplates measure approximately 13 x 4 inches.