The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-26
TWO FINE HOTELS.
Would Have to BE Raced I'm the
Event of War.

event Oh NtAr.
From the Philadelphia Record.
IN the event of any serious indication Of
warfare involving this nation, one of the
very first preparations would be the total
demolition of two handsome hotel prop
critics representing nearly 100000. This.
on the face, seems like very strange
way of inaugurating a war, but such
proceeding would be absolutely necessary.
Furthermore, 1t is not at all likely that
the proprietors of these places would be
able to recover a cent for their losses from
the government.
These hoStelres are the Hotel Chamber
lain and the Hygeia, at Old Point Com
fort. Both of these houses are notable
structures, built on government lands in
front of the fortifcations at that place,
which guard the historic Hampton Roads
and the entrance to the Chesapeake bay.
Both of these buildings are located direct
ly in front of the fort, and the muzzes
of many of the guns on the ramparts point
menacingly at one or the other of the
structures. The Hygeia is a long, low
wooden structure made to meet such an
emergency, but the Chamberlain, on the
other hand, is square, towering struc-
tune as substantially built as any hotel in
the country At its opening there was a
distinguished throng of cabinet officers,
congressman and soldiers, for its concep-
tor and proprietor, John Chamberlain, was
on very intimate terms with more notable
men than any other man in the country.
The opening function occurred few days
less than two years ago, and the house is,
therefore, still new one. The Hygeia is
the pioneer of hotels of the place, having
been constructed many years ago in the
comparatively small way and several
times extended until at one time it en-
joyed the reputation of being the largest
hotel In the country in point of area
The ground on which these houses are
located is really the property of the state
of Virginia, loaned to the government for
the purpose of a fort 1t was never de-
signed that it should be used for a hotel,
but in permitting their construction Uncle
Sam became landlord, and a very good
one, too, for he never collected any rent
of these tenants.
In the case of the Chamberlain, a reso-
luton of Congress was necessary to get
the required permission. This was done
on March 3, 1887. Later in the same
month the action was Endorsed by the
Assembly of Virginia. The first site Sc
| lected was a piece of ground adjoining
the lighthouse facing the Chesapeake Bay,
dian, who designated the present site oyer
looking Hampton Roads. This is a TRAN
| gular strip of $4,000 acres. Work was
commenced within year but was great
ly delayed by the grim reaper who car
ried off three wealthy persons on whom
Mr.. Chamberlain had depended for finan-
| cial assistance. These difficulties were
finally overcome however, and the house
was completed and opened on April 4,
no SIM f,,,~. Il
! sent, it is said an outlay of S1,500.0 600
The building is of modern Renaissance
design, the plans of which were prepared
| by Philadelphia architect, John Frazer
! 1t is six stories high, built of brick, wood
and metal. 1t is one of the best equipped
! houses in the country. 1t is illuminated
by electricity, the rays of $500 lights send
ing their beams out on the waters of
Hampton Roads. There are duplicate
plants. so that an accident cannot cut off
che supply of light. There are $50 Sleep
ing rooms, and 80 of them have private
| baths There is billiard hail. with elev-
en- tables, and a bowling alley, with six
runs.
AT the old fort the officers and soldiers
! seem to go about their daily routine an
parently undsturbed by any rumors of
war, but the eye of the military visitor is
quick 10 notice that the gun carriages
have been recently overhauled and care
| fully cleaned and oiled. Alongside of the
big eight, 10 or 15-inch rifles there reposes
a small pile of ammunition ready for any
! emergency. In some instances the pile
consists of a half dozen long projecties.
At other points there are boxes signih-
! cantly directed to the colonel of artillery.
In times of. absolute quiet this ammuni-
| ton is stored carefully away under pro-
tective roof while now they repose out in
the open.