The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-04-20
FAMOUS BUILDINGS GONE.
Old Landmarks and Modern Structures
Share Common Fate.

San Francisco. April 20.-Old land |
marks, made famous by association
with the early history OF California, as
wei az the new monuments to the
commercial prosperity of the California
metropolis, have been wiped out Of ex-
lstence by the dreadful conf1agration
One OF the first to fall a prey to the
flames after tbs destruction OF the bust
ness district, was the Palace hotel, !
known the world over to travellers. It
was built IN the '7Os by James Ralston,
at a cost Of $4,000, 900. and was owned
by the Sharon estate. Many Of San
Brancisco's wealthy residents made
their homes at the Palace and personal
property losses in art treasures and
other efects have been very great.
The Hopkins Art institute. located
on mob hill" owned by the Univer-
sity Of California and built by Mark
Hopkins. was destroyed, with its price
less contents. Close by were the Stan
ford mansion, the Huntington, the
Flood, the two Croker mansions. All
were swept away. These were the hand
soonest private residences IN San Fran
cisco and were built by the men whose
names they bear IN the early days of
the city's greatness and who played
such important roles in the develop
ment of the Pacific coast
Down near the center Of Post and
Grant avenue stood the Bohemian club
the most unique and one Of the widest
known social organizations in the world
Its membership lists include the names
Of many men who have achieved fame
in art, literature and the commercial
world. its rooms we're decorated with
the works Of artist-members, many Of
whose names are known wherever
paintings are discussed, and many of
them priceless in their association
Many of these were saved. The an
nuaI summer links" OF the Bohemian
club, amidst sylvan scenes at Redwood
Grove. is the most unique celebration
known among social clubs. There were
-
of the Bohemian club a dozen paintings
by the old masters, including a Rem
{ brandt, q Diaz, q Aurillo and others,
and probably worth $4,000. These
paintings, which we're loaned for ex-
hibidous were lost.
Further west on Post street stood the
home Of the Olympic club, the Oldest
regularly organized athletic association
"a The United States and famous for
ats appointments and for the number OF
aLthzstes It has developed. The building
tvpas worth $500 900, and its furnishings
were Of the finest quality. Nothing re-
mains but a. mass of steel and stone
The great new Flood building built
by James Flood at q cost Of $4,000, 900,
Fand occupied about a year ago; the new
merchants Exchange building on Cali
I4oEuta- street, erected at a cost Of 81, $780,
lQQ05 the Croker building at Montgom-
cry and Marke& streets q million dollar
structure; the Mills building at Bush
teoBttnB the same; the 5hreve building
at Post street and Grant avenue. cost
eng ss0Qo.0O and occupied on April 1
py The largest jewelry store on the
coast are some OF the new structure
i1pst IN tha flames The Shreve Jewelry
company carried a stock Of $4,000 600
worth Of 3ewelry. On Market street
thP FhaSan building. one of the earliest
attempts at q. pratentlous work OF archf-
lecture IN the business districts and Gov
eElng the most valuable piece Of real
estate IN San Francisco, Is gone. The
great group Of buildings standing in a
piece Of ground bounded by Larkin,
AGcAIHster and Grove streets, erected
by the city OF San Francisco at a cost
Of 100000, and known as the city and
county halls. are now a mass Of smok-
ing, snoiderlng ruins
The St. Francis hotel, facing Union
square, erected at a cost Of 81, SOC, 900,
and the Paramount hotel, at California
and Powell streets the most conspic-
uous location IN the city are in ruins
from the flames. The Paramount was
built by Mrs. herman Oe1rich at q cost
OF 100000. and named in honor Of her
father, the late James J. Fair
The Hall Of Justice. facing Ports
mouth square and just east Of China
town, was early a prey OF the flames
Sweeping up the hillside the unrestrain-
ed element leaped from block to block
through Chinatown, the combustibls
materials OF the himsy constructed
buildings feeding the flames like now
der. Up and down and over the hills
TO the westward, the eonhagration gain
ed Roadway. When It reached from block
TO block through China avenue north
ward to Pacific street the buildings wers
dynamited to stay the flames. without
avail. The heat was so intense thai
the ruins OF buildings were ignfted by
spontaneous combustion. Out on Van
ness avenue the fashionable drive acros.
the city from north to south, the devas
tation is complete on the east side.
The branch United States mint OF
Fifth near Market, was not destroyed
but was damaged to 9. considerable ex
tent. It's escape is due to the fact tina
Il occupied q large square, separates
from surrounding buildings by a. Wild
paved space. Two blocks west Of tn
mint stood the splendid new post
nmea building. finished about sii