Waterbury Democrat., 1902-06-25
A HOTEL ON SUFFERANCE.


 Speaking of the success of hotel en- terprises, the case of the Hygeia at Old Point Comfort came up for dis cussion here recently. At one time it was considered to be one of the very best paying hotels ill the whole coun- try. For the proprietor paid neither rent nor taxes beyond a nominal sum contributed annually to the post fund of the artillery organization stationed at the fort, and as the Hygeia for years was practically the only hotel in the place, he had everything his own way. When the state of Virginia, in the early part of the last century, ceded the ter- ritory upon W hich fortress Monroe is situated, it was expressly stipulated that it should be used for military pur- poses only. But the Secretary of War about sixty years ago gave permission to have a small hotel or boarding house erected near the shore on Hampton Roads for the accommodation of bachlor officers and chance visitors who might have business or social relations with the officials stationed there, but with the stipulation that the building be re- moved on twenty-four hours notice from the department. It was also pro- vided that the officer commanding the post should have kind of supervision over it, that no liquor should be sold to enlisted men, and that the officers of the army were to be subsisted at cer- tain special rates. The point was made clear that it was q privilege and not a right AS it was oil q govern- ment reservation, of course no state or local taxes could be collected. After a while it gradually grew into a small kind of summer watering place, and it is less than twenty years time since it blossOmed out as one of the most popular and fashionable winter resorts on the eastern coast. Tn 1877 the hotel had about 150 rooms, and was run in very indifferent way until the man. agement got tired of the lessee and re- placed him with Harrison Phoebus. The new lessee had no experience whatever in the hotel business, but he was a splendid business man, en- ergetic to a degree and eager to acquire any knowledge useful him. In 1883 the mild winter climate of the Point be- came known to certain wealthy rail road men, and at a bound rhe place became transformed into the greatest
 
 Phoebus was equal to the occasion and extended his property until he had full ly 800 rooms, with hot and cold sea baths, sun parlors and everything up to-date, including, of course, prices.
 It cost him fully 90 CT cent. less to keep his stable than it would a similar pretentious house in New York, as the place abounded in oysters, crabs and fish of all kinds. A feature of the Point in those balmy days was that when one landed there in the morning it was obligatory to stay all day until very late in the afternoon. as there was no way of leaving the place. Old Point was at it's zenith in 1886 when Phoebus had the wealthiest and most fashionable people in this part of the country as his patrons. Phoebus worked too hard. however, and easily succumbed to pneumonia in 1887. In 1886, the profits of the house were de- clared to have been over $100,00O. A syndicate of Brooklyn m en offered to buy the property from the widow, but she put what was considered a prohib- itive price upon it and negotiations fell through. It is believed that she has kept control until the present time. although of late years since Florida and Atlantic City have become com petitors in the winter travelling trade, the Hygeia has done comparatively small business. The order of Secre- tary Root to tear down, ends forever the famous old house. Brooklyn Eagle.