The herald., 1894-12-27
THE CLIFF HOUSE FIRE.
A DEFECTIVE FLUE RESPONSIBLE
FOR THE BLAZE.
Magnifi sent Hotel Will Be Reared on
the Site of the World Ra-
nowned Resort.

| SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 26.-Two totter
ing chimneys, the carved lion which
stood guard at the etairwsy descending
to the lower floor, chsrred timbers and
ashes are all that remains of the Cliff
house. owned by Mayor-elect Sutro.
The remainder is reminiecence, for the
Cliff house is thing Of the past. A
million dollar structure of steel and
stone will be erected on it's site.
A fire last night destroyed everything
except few souvenirs, the mirrors, and
easily movable furniture, the silverware.
choice vintages and liquors, and part of
the bar fixtures.
The fire was a hidden one between
ceilings and walls. 1t started from a
defective fue, and when the flames
found vent there was rush and roar
of fire that could not be controlled.
A sharp, steady breeze from the north
east drove the flames and smoke directly
across the Seal rocks. AS the wind stiff
ened. the flames spread oceanwards in a
horizontal line and the sparks fell in q
continuous shower on the breakers and
the rocks. The seals hastily betook
themselves from the rocks and sought
refuge in the sea.
THREE PRESIDENTS VISIT IT.
Sutro's magnificent bath, the finest in
the world. adjoin the Cliff house, and it
was feared they too would be demol-
ished. Fortunately the wind was in the
opposite direction and the baths were
saved.
II am sorry. Of course. that the build.
ing ia burned" said Adolph Sutro. "It
had become one OF the landmarks OF the
Pacific coast and many prominent per-
sons have been entertained there,
"Three of Americas presidents have
watched the eeals sport ON the rockH
and each OF them spent many hours on
the balconies that have disappeared
with the flames.
''Grant was the first of the trio, and
after him came Hayee. who thought his
visit not complete without watching the
moods of the Pacific from the Cliff
house. The next president to come out
here was Harrison, and he became 80
enamored With the place that he spent
many hours on the balconies.
"Besides these celebrities, there have
been a number of titled people from
Europe, and among them was the mar
quis of Lorne. who was. when he visited
San Francisco, governor-general of Can.
ada. Each of them carried away many
mementoes of ths place, and they have
frequently referred to it in their letters
and public utterances.
NEW CLIFF HOUSE.
"Now it is gone; and its destruction
will, probably, hasten the erection of
the proposed hotel on Point Lobos. Just
when the work OF construction will
begin it is impossible to tell. The hotel
scheme has not been fully maturcd.
sit had been my intention to build
the hotel farther out on the point and
few hundred fact nearer the Golden
Gate. but now it may 60 on the site OF
the old Cliff house. That will depend
on the size of the building. hotel of
very large proportions could not we'll be
erected on the site OF the house lust
destroyed, but there is room for q good-
sized building that will probably an
swsr all requirements.
ANY way, one feature OF the new
building will be an elevator that will
take visitors from the walk along the
beach up TO the top of the cliff, and save
tho climb up the steep grade"
The Cliff houue was built about 80
years ago.
Adolph Sutro says he will rebuild the
Cliff house and hea already consulted
an architect about plans. The new
building will probably be on the site of
the old one.