Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-12

the government works then in course OF
erection and should be removed on ID
days notice. This was the same year IN
which the ground was coded TO the gov
eminent by the State Of Virginia. me
hotel is therefore cOincident with the
fort.
In the beginning Mr.. Armisteads hos
telry was OF very modest proportions,
containing probably not more than
dozen rooms. 1t passed successfully
through many oWnerships. and it's fire.
quent engagements gave it capacity
for accommodating about 100 or 1'-o0
guests when the civil war broke out.
Among its numerous owners were Messrs.
Joseph c. and II. a. Willard, of this city,
who disposed of it to Joseph Segar a
noted Virginian, who, in the latter part
Of 1859 took Mr.. c. c. willard into CO.
partnership with him. Under these two
the hotel became a great watering place.
dependent, however, almost entirely upon
the patronage of southern people, for II
scarcely ever had a guest north OF Bal
timore.
In the spring Of 1861 Mr.. c. c. Willard,
who was the active manager, made the
usual preparations for the accommodation
Of visitors, for the season only lasted then
during the three summer months. AFTER
the firing on Sumter operations were sus-
rended, and when Fort Monroe was heay-
lily reinforced a Vermont regiment was
martered in the hotel In 49, Major
General Dix, commanding at Fort Monroe
ordered the demolition and removal OF the
hotel on account Of the eXigencies OK the
military situation.
CONCESSION GRANTED TO MR.. VII
LARD.
In 1863 Mr.. c. c. willard obtained the
military concession to put up small
building, mainly for the sale OF supplies
newspapers, and periodicals. This was on
a site some distance from the site Of ;he
old hotel. The building comprised only
a room or two, but from IL, by various
accretion. has grown the second and pre-
sent Hygeia Hotel. Under the origin
concession in 1921 IL was provided That
army officers at the post or those visi- ne
there should be accommodated at reason
able rates This was construed to mean
reduced rates, and such has been the cos-
tom always.
Some few years after the war MI {. c.
Willard disposed OF his interests, and the
hotel was conducted by Mr.. Clark, and
afterwards became the property or the
late Samuel II. Shoemaker. Of Baltimore.
II was next conducted by Harrison Phoe-
bus. whose family now have an interest
Business grew apace, wealthy people from
the North and West flocked TO the hotel
and its season became a continuous one
Of twelve months
Profits were reported at fabulous sums,
and the ambition Of others 70 participate
was excited.
In 1882 Messrs. T. =. Pendleton & Co.
applied to Congress for authority 10 erect
another hotel. General Getty. then COM
handing at Fort Monroe, strenuously OBJ
iected 10 granting the permission; his
views were concurred in by the chief OF
engineers and approved by Mr. Robert 7.
Lincoln. then Secretary OF War. In de-
ference to these views Congress declined
TO grant the authority. In November, 1871,
however, the Secretary of War had grant
ed permission to Messrs. Willard & Segar
TO construct another hotel, but on ac-
count of various distractions this plan
was not carried out.
THE CHAMBERLIN HOTEL.
In 1855 the late John Il. Chamberlin
was encouraged TO renew the application
TO Congress, which had been denied in
the case of Pendleton & Co. The extra
ordinary personal popularity Of Mr..
ChamberlIn enabled him TO overcome the
military objections and also 10 command
the assent of Congress. Both houses
nassed unanimously bill authorizing him
to construct a hotel upon site and under
conditions TO be approved by the Secre-
tary OF War The Legislature of Vir-
ginia gave also its prompt assent. This
was in 1881.
MIR. Chamberlin was entirely without
means OF his own. 1t seems almost like
a romance that he, without a dollar TO
his credit AM solely through the friend
ship of the wealthy, succeeded in raising
considerably over 100000. Naturally,
however 1t took time to do this, and the
construction of the hotel was extended
over a period OF several years. Fin, ly,
1t was completed. only comparatively
short time before the death of Mr.. Cham
berlin, but he had the proud satisfaction
OF inaugurating the ceremonies which
marked the opening OF his establishment.
1t Is one OF the largest and most com
plete seaside hotels ever built. and has
never closed its doors. summer or winter,
since the day they were swung open TO