The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1881-10-07
Hotels In Washin gton,

Although Washington has not had a new
hotel for twelve years, it is so well provided
for that the scheme to build some monster
hotel, like the Grand Union at Saratoga,
has never been carried into effect. The
hotels on Pennsylvania avenue at the time
of the war, extended from Third street to
Fourteenth, and were named Gadsby's, the
Union States, the Verandah, Cclcmans S,
Browns and Fuller's. Fuller'S i now
Wizards hotel. An old building between
1t and the treasury was called the European
hotel. Browns is now the Metropolitan,
and Coleman's, af.erward Gadsby 3, is the
National hotel. The first house of
large size TO be built in
Washington for the general public
was the National Hotel. Then Browns
was rebuilt, and was the first to have a
bridal chamber distinctively in it. At the
National Hotel died Henry CLAY, and
James Buchanan was seized with his mys-
ferrous sickness there. Some time in Pierce's
Administration the brothers Willard added
to Fullcr's hotel the very large rear build
ingS, constituting the better part of block,
now known as Wizards. The Wizards
were Vermont men, who came to Troy, the
outlet of Vermont on the Hudson river, and
are said to have been steamboat clerks.
Embracing in various schemes of travel
and development, they found their way to
Washington City There were originally
four of the brothers, One is dead the sur
yiving three, Joseph, Henry and Caleb,
are all among the wealthy men OF
Washington. Joseph Willard is q reCluSo
and pays little attention to ANYBODY. IL
Is said that he and his more ailable brother,
Henry, never exchange words though they
are joint owners of Wizards Hotel. They
do not havc,anything to do with its manage.
ment, however, and have leased il to ju'
Scph Cook, long of the Congress hotel Sar.
atoga, Caleb Willard, starting with a
snallhousu not far from Willard's, has built
large block for hotel purposes. Some time
before the civil war the late George Riggs
| put up a building for u hotel opposite the
| treasury department, But the government
| being in need of quarters leased it and a..
Verted II from ats hotel functions until about
| 1873, when IL became the Riggs House
About 1860 the banker Corcoran took d
block of houses on Vermont avenue,
and transformed them into the
Arlington hotel, Several years later
u caterer in Washington by the
name of Wormley built hotel on Fifteenth
street, by the help of MIR. Hooper, of Mas.
sachusctts, Will9rd's is still the largest
and most profitable hotel establishment at
the capital. II has situation for view,
which never can be cqualed in Washington
During the present recess II has been com.
pletely romodelcd and decorated in the rich
current style. Hero is the news center of
Washington and residence Of the principal
senator's, judges and representatives. The
coming winter In Washington will be unus
ually busy and brilliant. Many of the
grand new houses will bo thrown open for
the first time, with their new furniture and
decorations The president, being widow.
or, is expected to add 30 the viyacity and
attraetiyeness OF the place, and IL will DO the
| principal resort for widows, hcirosscs and
boauties,-I New York Commercial.