Los Angeles daily herald., 1873-11-22
OUR BUSINESS II ousEs.
The Pico KOuse.

account of so elegant building and so
splendid a hotel as is the Pico House
Of this city. Standing on the hill and
looking over the city, this building is
one of the first that attracts the eye.
1t is three-story brick building,
cemented in imitation of stone, in the
modern elizabethian style Of architec-
ture. IT has a frontage on Main
street, to the west, for distance of
125 feet, and on the Plaza, to the
north, for depth of 100 feet. On the
east it faces Sanchez street, while on
the south, it joins and connects with the
Merced Theatre. The building is fire.
proof and cost over $4,000, being own
ed and named after our friend and
townsman Don Pho PicO. The chiefen-
trance is on the Main street side,
under handsome portico, leading
through lofty vestibule to the main
staircases. The vestibule connects
also with the main court (there are
two) in the centre of the buildings, Of
which more anon. TO the right of the
vestibule is the hotel office, lofty and
pleasant room 25 by 20 feet, and fitted
with all the cOnveniences of q mod
ern hotel. 70 the right of the Office a
new reading room is being fitted up,
and will shortly contain all the period
icals, eastern and european journals,
etc., and be furnished with elegant
lounges, arm chairs, etc, and all
the appurtenances Of this department.
Beyond the reading room is an excel
lent barber shop, for the convenience
Of guests and Others. 70 the left of
the vestibule is the bar and billiard
room, separated only by an arch six
teen feet in diameter, and adding
greatly to the appearance of the whole.
The bar is about SO by "a feet, and fit
ted up in the newest style. Two large
mirrors and some Parian marble stat
uary ornament the back ground, whilst
the silver and glassware at the hands of
friend Thomas Tighe are reflected
on every side. The whole Of this de-
partment belongs to Don Juan Cappe,
who is too old citizen to need any
tlattering comment or description at
our hands. The beautiful picture
Of the golden age, hangs between
the mirrors, whilst several oil paintings
and works Of different degrees of
merit are distributed over the walls.
A feature of the bar and billiard
rooms is, that there are different en-
frances to it through nine double glass
doors on Main street, and from
the Plaza, which can be used, or closed
Theoretically at pleasure. The billiard
tables are Phelan d Collenders make,
laurel wood, silver mounted, ETC., and
perhaps the best in the town. Most of
the match games are played on them,
and for the comfort of spectators are
elegant antique green leather carved
arm chairs. At the rear is n card
and wine room for private parties, and
also large room for liquors, etc. AT
the rear Of the reading room second
court leads to the hotel offices. Here
are the bakery shop, the butchers
store, the pastry cooks quarters, the
cellars, general store rooms, vegetable
yard and provision rooms. All these
offices communicate with carriage
way on Sanchez street at the back of
the hotel, through which all the ne
cessaries Of the house are conveyed and
delivered. The main court yard is
right in the middle of the building.
g A fountain plays in the center, and
verandahs afford shade on all sides.
Creeping plants climb up the pillars
and add to the beauty of the court.
Above on the second floor, is gallery
also shaded with verandahs and vene-
tian blinds. Birds sing in cages and
various dropping vines and plants
hang down over the gallery. To the
left of the court on the first floor, are
the dining rooms,s the one for families
and children, and the other for general
guests. An Improvement will shortly
be made by which the dining room
will be enlarged to 60 feet by As, max
ing it the largest in the city. 1t is lit
by numerous chandeliers, and has on
the one side beautiful view Of the
Old Mission and the plaza. (The view
Of the latter will be better when the
City Fathers adorn it little more).
Between the windows are long black
walnut mirrors, which add greatly to
the light and CHEEKY aspect of the
room. There are eleven tables with
accommodations for about ninety
guests. When the new alterations
are completed 130 can be accommoda-
ted at one time. From the dining
room to the kitchen is but step. This
department is so feet long by 20 feet
in width, and contains the most mod
ern ranges, culinary appliances and
hot water apparatuses, to be obtained
in the State. From these last are sup
piled the two first class bath rooms
on the second floor, by which guests
can enjoy the luxury of a hot or cold
bath at moments notice. The Chef
de cuisine is Monsieur Lario, noted for