New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-11
A IA NOUS HOTEL GONE.
FASHIONABLE LIFE AT THE OCEAN
HOUSE IN EARLIER DAYS

The Ocean House at Newport, which de-
stroyed by fire Friday afternoon. one OF the
features Of the fashionable resort. 1t was old
poorly furnished. and unlike the new and palatia
hotels which are patronized by the fashionable
world. BUT its location in the main thoroughfare
Of Newport, where one could see the daily parade
Of handsome turnouts made 1t favorite resort for
those who tho fringe Of society and FOR
those who were content TO remain or the outside.
During the season It's broad verandas were
usually crowded with guests and cottagers, and II
was a favorite stopping place for many residents
~ the place on their way 10 the Casino. Under the
able management OF Warren Leland. jr.. the peo-
pie who came TO the place often forgot that the
doors were uneven the furniture antique and I'M
CON Portable. and many Of the rooms including the
large. barnlike dining room. far from attractive.
The proprietor endeavored to make the place home
IKE and succeeded In great degree. and for that
reason many Newport summer guests will be
panied TO know that the Ocean House, despite It's
shortcomings IS a thing Of the past.
The house which occupied the plot on which the
hotel stood was burned down In 1874, and the
ocean House rebuilt I'm 1915 II was cons!d-
cred r. those days hotel OF magnificent proper
lions and superb arrangement Many OF the peo-
pie who now own their Newport homes lived at
the ocean House In those days. and the proprie-
tors John g. Weaver and his sons. John g. and
Joseph r. left nothing undone toward making the
place attractive and comfortable. The social gath
or.ngs wnicn take place at the various cot
tagc. and az the Casino were he'd FOR the most part
ir thu OCEAN House IN It's early days. and foi
twenty-five years Il was the congrogating place OF
the fashionable world o. the United States Then
the Newport visitors began TO build cottages and
gradually the hotel became the stopping-place FOR
tr. "translsnts" and the Overflow" For nifty
years he house remained In the hnnds OF the
Wcavcrs. who we're also managers At the same
time Of the Everett House IN NewYork.
H. 1905 the property was sold to the william j.
Merritt Company. which intended to erect large
modern hotel on the site Of the old Ocean House,
but for some reason the plan not carried out.
and the property was bought by Henry j. Barley.
no Is now rs owner
When the Weavers gave up the management Of
the hotel Warren Leland. OF the Windsor Hotel
became tho proprietor. He conducted the affairs
Of the hotel with great success. and WAS followed
I'm It's management by Warren Leland. 1r. some Of
the most notable social gatherings ia America took
place In the ocean House. and Its registers con-
taiued the names OF nearly all the distinguished
foreigners who visited this country.
About twenty years ago representatives from the
United states Navy and hundreds Of citizens from
an over the country attended a ball given AZ the
Old hotel in honor OF Admiral Wellesley OF the
Royal Navy and officers ~ the English ship Belle
rophon.
there. and n magni ont entertainment was ar
ranged there for President Arthur. Receptions
were also given the Ocean House for the Duke OF
Marlborough the father OF the present head OF ina
house. for the Duke OF orleans and hundreds or
wcl-known foreigners who have Inquired IN Amer
Mr. Leland said that he did not know what
would be done toward erecting a new hotel, but It
is supposed that another structure. larger and In
keeping with the time will coon occupy the place
on which the ruins Of the old Ocean House now
stand