The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-08-02
THE HERMITAGE HOTEL PROJECT.
Mr.. Henry Mo Alpin Confident That It
Will Be Carried Out.


Mr.. Henry Mo Alpin Confident That It
Vail Be Carried Out.
Mr.. Hsnry MoAlpin Is now making ar
rangelnents by which a handsome winter
hotsi for northern tourists will be erected
at ths Hermitage plantation.
! Mr.. McAlpin has had this enterprise
4 In view for some time, and is now maturing
| his plans with the expectation of soon taking
definite steps 20 this cod. Mr.. McAlpin sayt
that the chief difficulty In the way at pres
ent is the lack Of railway facilities to
the Hermitage. A company has
been organized, he says, which
1 is willing TO advance the money to build an
electric line TO that point. 1t would be
ready to begin work at once, but is checked
by the refusal OF the county commissioners
TO grant the right of way over the Lonis-
vile and Augusta roads to that point. The
capitalists interested would not seek the use
OF the public roads, Mr.. McAlpin says,
were it not that many OF the property hold
ers along the route will not give the right
OF way to the company, but are holding
their property at fancy prices. They dam
age themselves more than any one else in
this way by effectually blocking the enter
prise.
A street railroad is absolutely necessary
before any further steps can be taken toward
building the hotel.
Mr.. McAlpiu saws that if the county COM
missioners win grant the right Of way, there
| Is no doubt OF the road being built.
Mr.. McAlpin's idea is TO make Of the
Hermitage a most desirable resting place
for northern travellers seeking rest ald rec
reation in the south. The grounds will be
put In fine condition with walks and
drives. The OLD mansion will be converted
into casino and cottages built around ID
for those who prefer family life. The hotel
will be built some little distance away,
among the spreading oaks, for which the
place is famous.
A large wooden building of handsome de-
sign is contemplated, to cost. with the
other improvements, about 100000. The
hotel will be handsomely furnished and
made as attractive as possible to the tourist.
Large stables will also be built, where sutfi-
Gent good stock will be kept for the accom-
mediation Of the guests OF the house. Nat
urally in such location riding and driving
will be very popular. 1t is proposed 10 ask
the oity to donate the water works tract of
about seventeen acres to the hotel company,
the company agreeing to put the grounds
in hrstclass condition for q public park
and to maintain 10 in this condition at its
own expense A park will soon BIO needed
in that section OF the city. Mr.. McAlpin
says, by accepting the offer OF the company
Toe city Will secure PARK at no expense 70
itself, and one that will be fully as satistac-
tory 70 the public as II it was maintained at
the city's expense.
Mr.. MoAlpin believes that as soon as a
hotel 10 built and other improvements in
augurated an era Of building will begin in
that section which will soon make It the
rival Of any city suburb In the state, be-
coming 30 Savannah what Vlneville Is to
Macon aud the Sand Hills to Augusta
Mr.. McAlpin estimates the cost Of the i'm
provsments contemplated at 5000 900; every
cent OF which he says will be raised in Sa-
vAnnah.