The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-05-31

The building was 10 have frontage on Fill
mole str e. between Post and Suffer, CT 20E
feet, and The total detfh, running halfway
back 10 Steiner street, was 318 feet.
Charles Rieck was at the head OF the concern
as president and manager, ana associa ed will
him In the enterprise were ex Governor l.. +.
Low. e. 6. Fredlander, James McCofG. Theo.
dore Won Boistel and Frederick Slebe. In 1888
these GENT, men leased the entire square
bounded by Fillmore, Steiner. Post and Suffer
streets. from c. G. Butler, whose wife and chill.
dren were the only heirs 10 the Gates estate,
which comprised this block, the one west of II
ana considerable other real estate In The
vicinity.
The lease was for fifteen years. inside of a
year almost the entire scheme was abandoned,
but not until the great building Itself had been
almost finished, so far as the exterior work was
concerned.
Now there is not even a posthoie left to show
where the mammoth structure once stood. and
wood and coal shed, an Italian shanty and
several browsing cows are he only occupants
OF the big block.
Crystal Palace aud the park IN which it stood
was designed after WoOdward's Gardens and
was intended 10 contain, among other sights
and curios and amuSemeDts. menagerie far
superior 10 the one recently closed out at auc-
tion by tile heirs of the Woodward estate.
The park would have been about as extensive
as w oodward's Gardens and. like IL, loo, a tun-
mel under Steiner street would have connected
the two blocks.
Crystal Palace itself was 10 have an auditor
ium with seating capacity of 5000. and this
was 10 be so arranged that 1t could be trans
formed into a vast level hall for dancing by a
few hours work. Extending completely around
the grand floor and stage was promenade $40
feet long and 20 feet In width
On the ont side OF the nromenade at zach lido
OF the building and running its fun length,
were elevated estrades, with private dining
rooms, cloakrooms, toilets and baths beneath.
On The estrades were open rustic boxes, in front
Of which. bordering on the promenade. were 10
have been grassy terraces decorated with Irop.
ical plants. trees, aquariums, fountains and
miniature brooks and cascades.
To the right of the main entrance was the
cafe, % by so feet IN area, and above this on
the second floor, were more dining rooms, con-
cert halls. etc.
Over $4,000 square feet OF glass was used In
The construction of the building. more than one
third OF The entire roof being OF heavy CORFU
gated glass.
Oh, II was grand. grand afair-on paper
and columns might be written of its projected
grandeur ana extent.
Elevators, electric lights. broad stairways and
grand Railways, billiard and smoking rooms,
Va VI
panels on the walls. rich tapestries and por-
there's, natural wood finishlngs lhlaid polished
wood and mosaic floorS-these were only some
OF the projected grandenrs of the projected
palace that was partially completed.
Alter time IL came TO light that the plans
ana specifications were not being strictly fol-
lowed. Accusations were made OF inferior ma
Terials being used Then the troubles thick.
ened and the building OF the alace halted.
hr pnf1
10 loan the company all the money needed TO
carry out the project IL the stockholders would
ray assessments equal to the par value OF their
stock.
But the management had not the confidence
OF the directory. and when $4,000 had been
sqnandered The project was definitely aban-
doned. II may be that by this time the stock
holders had come 10 look unon the plan az
slightly OF Micawbe variety. it may be that
they lost faith In the ability OF one city to sup
port such mammoth Amusement enterprise. 1t
may Debut whatever IL was they went no fur
ther paid no more assessments, and for three
years or more the big palace was given over to
the rats and spiders.
Then IL was sold Tor old horse, carted away 10
build carriage factory on Golden Gate avenue
and to be burned as fTewood.
And the two big blocks, from Filme re to
Pierce streets ale Still practically unoccupied
and unlmproved.
And still there is a big opening for some wide
awake capitalist with sanguinity as big as his
rurse, TO build Crystal Palace for San Fran.