The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1891-12-29
: VOLCANO HOUSE.
,.s Of the Old and the New
,otions for Fifty Guests-The
pocord BOOks-Mark Twain's
Letters.

Letters.
~ the earliest authentic rec
Il visitors to the crater OF
..a are those of Lord Byron
,hi. marty and Rev. William Ell
.rTondon. They visited it in the
1923, and sketches of the crater
., al that time are the earliest
9 ,n,as of it extant. There was then
topse, or even hut, and Lord By
and his party spent some days
,sin a tent which they took UP
That purpose, and which was set
m the bluff between Kilauea and
huea-ike. A few years later q
IS hut was built, which served as
belter for travellers. Judge Austin
tes that this was standing close
der the bluff, back of the present
sI This hut was replaced by a
yer and better grass house, erected
Mr.. Benjamin Pitman, of Hilo,
DO gave it the name of the Volcano
3 base, assumed q supervision of it,
provided it with a book for re-
rding the names and dates of visit
The old grass house continued
serve the purpose for which it was
a isted, with an occasional rethatch-
i and perhaps enlargement, till
8 1t 1850, when it was in charge of
n William II. LentZ, and very
1ch improved, with better accom-
pOdatiOns for travellers.
In January, 1891, movement was
s 1sde, under the direction of Mr.. L.
ThurstCn, to erect a new building
nd provide suitable means of trans
OrtatiOn for travellers to and from
! he termini of the steamer lines con-
ewing them to Hilo and PunaIuu.
! gOr this purpose a company was or
anized with q capital of $50,
/ lhich has taken hold of the work in
arrest, erected a fine first class hotel,
] md made many improvements in the
,,urroundings, with the view of add
|hg to the attractions of the place and
HE comfort of travellers.
ARRIVAL AT THE VOLCANO.
On approaching the crater, particu-
arly from Kau, as the stage reaches
the ridge a mile distant, the hotel
addenly bursts into view, surmount-
Id with a tower and flagstaff, and
appears like a cluster of several large
buildings on a commanding site,
0rming a really handsome picture, in
lOld contrast to the wild and desolate
0untry just passed through. The
0ad here being excellent, the stage
attles along as fast as four horses
an 60 at full speed, and in five min
ties halts under the spacious porch
n front of the hotel. AS the stage
Rnerally brings the mail and a
Ieek's later news from the metropolis
nd outside world, its arrival is an
vent that interests all the guests and
Tiers connected with it. Manager
en and his attentive wife receive the
rangers With as hearty welcome as
'shey had been their guests before,
nd escort them to their rooms, which
IN always be reserved if spoken for
/ advance.
Here we are, 400 feet above the
"a, in a comfortable homelike build
lg, which with its broad veranda,
DaciOus office, pleasant ladies' parlor
nd cosy observation rOOm-al1 giving
he stranger feeling of comfort and
such as you experience
hen the long, tedious, dusty over
md journey across America is ended,
nd you are at home in a comfortable
Otel or private residence. A bath is
ext in order, and can be had cold or
arm, or a natural steam sulphur
ath, said to be as good a fatigue ex-
nguisher as a Turkish massage or
hawaiian lOmi-lomi. AS travellers
re usually hungry after the stage
de, no attempt is made to explore
he crater the day of arrival, and after
couple hours of rest, sharp appe-
ties point to the dining room, where
good dinner will be found ready
bout ) o'clock Pm.
THE NEW HOTEL.
This new hotel was erected during
lie past summer by Mr.. Geo. A.
toward, who commenced work on
during June, and completed it in
ctober. It is a spacious two-story
anne building, with a snowy tower
| the west corner. 1t contains four
en rooms, intending large office,
dies parlor, dining hall, observa-
on room, and ten or twelve sleeping
IONS. These are all fine, comfort
Die rooms, finished and furnished in
bod style suited to their several uses,
he ladies' parlor has new piano,
expressly for it in San
rancisco, and is fitted up with
Ounges, rockers and easy chairs. The
ming hall has four large tables, with
eats for thirty or forty guests, and all
he crockery and table ware is new,
and well suited to the
ants of the establishment. Under
lie supervision of Mr.. aud Mrs. Lee,
Il those who have been guests have
Epressed much satisfaction with the
of this department.. The
'bleis wellsupplied with fresh meats,
wis, milk and butter from Mr.. Ship
lan's ranch, few miles distant, and
egetables are grown in the garden
ear the hotel.
THE OLD BUILDING.
The old Volcano House serves as
II extension to the new building,
aying been improved in many re-
lnnts mhiln in the hands of the car