The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1876-04-21


AMERICA ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOL
LARS EXPENDED IN BUILDING A SHELL
TER FOR HORSES.
MI. John e. Shawhan, retired member
of the San Francisco Stock Board and a
gentleman of great wealth, is the owner of
the finest private Coach-house and stable
in California, if not in the country. This
horse-palace has just been completed, at a
cost OF nearly 100000, and occupies full
titty-vara lot on California, between Jones
and Leavenworth streets. The exterior of
the building, with its high and handsome
tower-in one angle its white walls and
pretty roof-has striking appearance. -
The stable stands on IL hill, from which is
commanded view of the surrounding
country. The eye in the tower sweeps the
horizon for miles, taken in the Golden
Gate, Saucelto, Mount Diablo, Tamalpais,
the Contra Costa hills, the bay and its isl,
ands, and the city, with its numerous hills
and busy thoroughtares. For extent Of
scenery it is probable the finest elevated
point Of observation on the peninsula
Mr.. Shawhan will shortly break ground
for his private residence on the fifty-vara
lot adjoining tue stable. As Mrs. Shaw
han is passionately fond of horses, it was
resolved to complete the stable first 1t is
modelled after the Italian school, modified
with some American ideas. The build
ing is located about thirty feet back from
the street, the main entrance being on Cali
fOrnia street. An iron ornamental fence
inc,oses the structure, which is approached
by rather steep carriage driye. A sub.
stantiai brick and stone foundation sup
ports the whole, the basement allowing
sufficient room i'll which the horses may
wallow and romp. The coacl-room is first
entered. Here are packed the various We
hicles used by the family. This apartment
is 16 feet to the ceiling, and about 40XG0
feet in width and depth. The floors, walls
and ceiling are finished in tasteful COM
bination of oak, ash, Oregon pine and
walnut woods, the ceiling being elaborate
ly and exquisitely ornamented. To the
right, upon entering, door leads to an
octagonal apartment, the first floor of the
tower. This is
MRS. s1IAwHAN's PARLoR,
where friends are entertained while the
horses are being hitchcd up. A warm
colored carpet covers the floor The cell
ing is frescoed in the Alhambrian style, in
blue and gold. The mantel- piece is of
Tennessee marble and carved walnut, and
has upon it some fine bronzes and music
box. An immense mirror over the fire
place reetlcts the light from the numerous
circular windows above. The furniture
consists Of some easy chairs, upholstered
in style corresponding to the richness of
the apartment
LADIES RECEPTION ROOM,
fitted up with mirrors, cabinets, lavatorics
with hot and cold water, wardrobes for
ladies' riding habits, is an independent de-
partment entered by door. A mammoth
glass case, in which is kept the harness of
the iour-in-hand, is one of the features of
the coachroom. In another corner an
apartment is partitioncd off for harness
room. The panels are of French plate
glass, and the glittcring harness hung up
in methodical rows can be seen from the
coacl-room. A marble water trough for
the horses, near the stairway, is fine speci-
men of the sculptor's art. The water runs
into the trough from the mouth of lion,
whose shaggy head peers just above the
edge of the basin.
TIE STALLS.
The stable proper leads directly from the
coach room, an immense sliding door shut
ting off the communication. In light, ven
tilation and entire cleanliness the stables
cannot be surpassed. 1t is 45xG5 feet in
dimensions. Six spacious stalls, with pat.
ent cribs and feed boxes, the invention of
Mr.. Duff, are on the right hand side, and
two box stalls and two open stalls on the
left hand. The floor is built on inverted
arches in sections, and iseasily removable
for the purpose OF drenching the same with
water. An extension of the stakle-room
leads to two stalls for cows, and foot
bath stall for horses. Opposite to these
stalls is place for carriages and wash
room for stable men.
THE TOWER
is approached by means of magnificent
staircase, on the lowest bannister rail Of
which is perched u fine bronze figure Of
Alexander the Great holding alott lamp
This staircase is constructed from variety
of woods, the ratings being elegantly car
we'd. The various floors in the large tow
er are used as store-rooms, sleeping apart
ments for the coachman and his assistants
ETC., etc. The hay-loft is Immediately owe
the coach-room, and differs very far from
the traditional idea of hay-loft. 1t i
sufficient to say that it is in keeping will
the elegance of the other portions of tn
building. The interior of the superb
stable is lighted at night by gas from nu
mereus pendants Glass globes of prett,