Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-03-15
SHOULD THERE BE WAR.

tloD OF warfare involving this nation,
one of the very first preparations would
be the total demolition of two hand
some hotel properties representing
nearly two millions of dollars. This,
on the face, seems like very strange
way of iDaugurating a war, but such q
proceeding would be necessary. Fur
thermore, it is not at all likely that the
proprietors of these places would be
able to recover q cent for their losses
from the g ,vernment.
These hostelries are the Hotel Cham
berlin and the Hygeia, at Old Point
Comfort. Both of these houses are
potable structures, built on govern
ment lands 10 front of the Notifications
at that place, which guard the historic
Hampton Roads and the entrance to
the Chesapeake Bay. Both of these
buildings are loc It'd directly in front of
the fort, and the muzzles of many Of
he guns on the ramparts point menac-
ingly at one or the other of the struc
lures. The Hyeiea is long, low wood
ell structure made to meet such an
emergency, but the Chamberlin, on
the other hand, is square, towering
structure, as substantially built as ary
rotel in the country. At its
opening there was a distinguished
tnrong of Cabinet officers CoDgre ss.
men and soldiers, for its conceptor
nd proprietor, John Chamberlin, was
very intimate terms with more mol
able men than any other man in the
country, The opening function occur
red few days less than two years ago,
and the house is still therefore new
one. The Hygeia is the pioneer of
hotels of the place, having been con-
struced many years ago in a comrars-
lively small way and several tiues ex-
tended until at one time it enjoyed the
reputation of being the largest hotel in
the country in point of area.
The ground OF which these houses
are located is re,lly the property of the
5 ate of Virginia, leaned 10 the gov
ernment for the purposes ofa fort. II
=, as never designed that it should be
used for hotel, but in permitting their
construction Uucle Sam became land
lord, and Very good one, too, for he
lever collects any rents of these ten
ants.
In the case of the Chamberlin, a
resolution OF Congress was necessary to
yet the required permission. This was
aone on March 3, 1887. Later in the
same month the action WAS indorsed
by the Assembly of Virginia. The first
site selected was piece of ground ad'
Joining the lighthouse facing the Chesa-
peake bay, but this was objected TO by
General Sheridan, who designated the
present site overlooking Hampton
Roads. Work was commenced with:
in year, but was greatly delayed
by the grim reaper, who carried OF
three wealthy persons on whom MIR.
Chamberlin had depended for financial
assistance. These difficulties We're f.
nally overcome, however, and the
house was completed and opened on
April 4, 1896. The structure aud furn-
ishings represent, it is said, an outlay of
81 SOC, 900.
The building is of modern Renals-
sauce design, the plans Of which were
prepared By Philadelphia architect,
John Frazer. 1t is six stories high,
multi of brick, wood and metal. 1t is
one of the best equipped houses in the
country. 1t is illuminated by electricl-
ty, the rays of $500 lights sending their
beams out on the waters of Hampton
Roads. There are duplicate plants, SO
that an accident cannot cut of the sup
ply of light. There are $50 sleeping
rooms, and 90 of them have private
baths. There is billiard hall, with II
tables, and bowling alley, with SIX
runs.
At the old fort the officers and SOL
diers seem to go about their daily rou-
tine apparently undisturbed by any ru'
mors of war, but the of the military
visitor is quick to notice that the gun
carriages have been recently overhaul
ed and carefully cleaned and oiled.
Alongside of the big eight, l3 or 10.
inch rifles there repose small pile OF
ammunition ready for any emergency:
In some instances the pile consists OF
half dozen long projectiles. AT other
POINTS there are boxes significantly di-
rected to the colonel of artillery. In
times of absolute quiet this ammuni'
tion is stored carefully away under
protective roof, while now they repose
out in the open.