The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-11-29
THE ARLINGTON"
wAsHlSsTos's NEW HOTEL.
GRAND OPENING TODAY.
Description cf tn, Building and Its
Appurtsnsncn

patronage Of the magnificent structure lately
completed for W. W. Corcoran, esq, chris
tened "The Arlington" and itted up as the
grandest hotel In this city, by Messrs. 7. Z.
Roessle a Sou, gentlemen renowned through
out the country as public caterers Of great
ability. An event Of this character is
worthy OF note, and as the originator Is so
widely known, tho opening to-day Ia full OF
interest TO our citizens who naturally feel q
pride Ia seeing the enterprise, In which he
has taken such prominent part, succeed.
THE BUILDING.
The hotel Is located on Vermont avenue,
between ii aud | streets, In one OF the most
fashionable portions of the city, aud within
few minutes walk Of the Executive Man
sion aud the most important Of the Govern :
ment Departments. It Is built Of brown
stone aud brick in renaissance style, seven
stories 10 height, with Mansard roof, aud
surmosuted bya cupola or turret 100 feet
from tho pavement, from which magniH-
cent Wow ofthe city and surrounding country
Ia obtained. The structure Govern an area OF
II, 400 feet, fronts 1877 feet on Vermont ave-
nue., with depth of 1871 feet. II IL built on
the site OF the two elegant residences erected
about fifteen years ago by Mr.. Corcoran, and
which were first occupied by Mr.. George w.
Riggs on his returning to this city TO take
charge Of what was then the banking. house
Of corcoran & Riggs. Amer Mr.. Riggs
moved to his elegant mansion on l street,
the two houses thrown into one was the
hospitable residence Of Secretary OF State,
Lewis Cass. When no len the city, the
houses, again romodeled, were occupied by
various psrties. About year ago NJ. Cor
corAn conceived the idea OF hotel on this
spot, and the residences enlarged and ro-
modelled constitute the present structure. IL
intended next spring to continue the present
is front and depth to street, thus making II
tho most commodious hotel structure 10 the
city.
THE KENNEDY HOUSE,.
II was desirable 10 building the hotel 10
make private entrance for ladies', and fer
this purpose the splendid dwelling house OF
Mr.. }. c. Kennedy, fronting on Z street,
nected with tho south side of tho main
building, thus giving an entirely private en-
trance away from the noise and hustle oftho
Immediate front Of the hotel, and at the same
time adording more space and room for the
accommodation Of patrons OF tho house.
THE JOHNSON HOUSE.
The neat residence on the north side ofthc
house, which was for years occupied by Hon.
Reyerdy johnson, has also bcen merged Into
"The Arlington"
THE PRoPRIEroRs.
The Arlington has been leased, at q
yearly rental OF $4,000, by Mr.. T. Roessle
aud son, who for years were the proprietors
OF the Delavan house, In Albany, and later
have become known to thousands Of pleasure
travellers as the proprletors Of the Fort VIM.
Henry hotel, at Lake George, New York.
The last-named house, built by the Messrs.
Roessle, Is an immense structure, which last
year accommodated, all told, 1850 guests.
Mr.. Roessle, sr., Is a gentleman somewhat
advanced In years, OF polished manners and
courtly demeauor, while his son, Mr.. 7. E.
Roessle, besides inheritlng his fathers gen.
tlemanly qualities, possesses the faculty Of
pleasing all who meet him by his ready wit,
easy carriage and conversational powers.
Together, the father aud son are a strong
firm, and are destined to prove successful as
Washington hotel propretors.
INTERIOR OF TUE BUILDING.
There are four entrances to the hotel
two from the front Of tho main building, one
from the johnson mansion, and one from II
street, (the Kennedy manslon.) The main
entrau noes are from Vermont avenue, and are
reached by six brown-stone steps. Entering
by the south door, we find on our right the
ladies' reception parlor, a beautiful room,
situated at the southeast corner Of the build.
Ing. The room Is handsomely carpeted with
a light figured Brussels, supplied with costly
ture Of embroidered rep and black walnut,
with curtains to match.
Adjoining the ladies' reception room and
opposite the Office entrance Is the elevator,
worked by machinery, and having an un-
obstructed run from the basement to the
upper story of the edlice, so arranged as to
be halted on each floor. The elevator will
accommodate six or eight persons at one
time. II Is upholstered throughout In Bis
marck and crimson rep. Thirty seconds Is
all the time required for II to ascend or de-
scend. Crossing the hall we pass into the
Office located at the west end of the centre
room Of the structure. The office counter,
desks and indicator frame are Of black wal
nut, deliberately carved. The windows In
the rear are glazed with handsomely stained
glass, aud heavy Brussels carpet of neat
figure covers the floor. On the right 10 the
private Office Of the proprietors, where Is
also located the "safe' OF the hotel enclosed
In fire proof vault. In front OF the Office
a flower stand Is to be erected where bouquets
will be for sale each evening. Beyond the
Office We come to the news aud cigar stand,
elegantly fitted up In black walnut. This
establishment has been secured by Messrs.
George W. Cochran & Co., and all who
know that onterprlsing firm we'll understand
that their part Of the hotel will be attended
to with satisfaction to every one Of the
guests. In front of the news stand is the
telegraph office, from which the wires OF the
Bankers and Brokers' limo radiate to all
parts Of the country. W. Ham. Young, esq,
the manager OF the line for this city, will
have this branch under his especial care.
The establishment Of the telegraph office at
the hotel will be Of great service not only to
the guests but TO the many distinguished
men residing In the vicinity, who are con-
stantly "pulllng the wires" Beyond the
last named establishments and on the north
side OF the building we find the gentlemen's
parlors, reading rooms, &C., one hundred
feet In length and twenty wide with hand
some marble tile floor and furni.hed In oak.
Coming back to the elevator, we pass to the
wash and cloak rooms, then by the "sllyer
closet" to the
DINING ROOM,
commodlous apartment, with tile floor.
On the west side the wall Is curved, and four
French windows supply abundant light. The
tables are OF solid black walnut, twenty In
number. The chairs are of walnut, high
backs, and cushioned In brown leather. The
head walter, who is supreme in command In
this department, Is fine looking colored
man, named Frank King, known all over the
country as an "artist" In his peculiar line,
and who Is considered by some TO be the
ablest man In his business 10 the United
States. Frank has been prominent 10 many
nrst-class hotels In the country. The pro-
prietors declare that they have the most un-
limited confidence in Franks ability to pre-
sent the prettiest set dining tables ever seen
In Washington.
The Messrs. Roessle, In their hotel life,
have found that wherever silver eau be intro
duced for table furniture In place of glass
and china II Is cheaper, aud can be used to
better advantage. Acting on this knowledge
they have purchased an immense quantity OF
plated ware, consisting Of water pitchers,
cream and syrup Jugs, tea and coffee pots,
salt cellars, castors, sugar bowls, wine cool
ers, etc., ETC., the whole forming q beautiful
collection which will add greatly to the dec
oratlons OF the table. The glassware COB
lets, wines, &C., are of the finest quality and
most beautiful finish. At the north end Of
the dining room is large apartment com
municatlng with the kitchen, In which Is
erected the steam carving tables, a nam
moth plate warmer, and splendid and
costly coffee and tea apparatus OF Bramhall,
Dean Il Co.'s patent.
TnEMAIS KITCHEN.
The ehtf de cuisine Of "The Arlington" Is
Popllardo,an Italian ofyears' experience and
popularity, having been employed In all the
principal hotels Of New York. For seven
years he was the chef of the Delayan House,
Albany, and there achieved his greatest repu-
tation. He has with him several assistants
nf "A ck now ledged ability The kttrhan Ia ann