The Pickens sentinel-journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1903-1906, 1906-05-02
u n \ s s. ],
Feautiful Structures Ruined by
san Francisco's Earthquake.
SOME FAMOUS THE WORLD OVER

SOME EAMUUH 1uh NV@AD WAL"
ruxurious PeIeoo Hotel, That Cose
ar 900, ,oO0-CIi1 House, That Slid In
| "a tho Sea, Was Fnvorite Resort or
ahousands-Massiv MilpS Building |
and niEsest Church Gone.
According to the most authentic re-
norts from San Francisco, the earth |
ouako and following fire destroyed the
finest buildings as well rs the poorest |
in the city, says the New York Times.
The flames went marching up the hill
from the downtown sections, where
huddled tho Chinese by the thousands,
to Van Ness avenue, the Fifth avenue
Of Sen Francisco, destroying some or
the most palatlal homes. Here are
brief descriptions Of some Of the best
known buildings in the city that were
Testrrl u;
l.r!ucu rUN Gfagl -; 5.-The Pal
uar hD1r.. So. Mnr>vs New Mont
S,oa,rry ,.veeta, "al..~ two and n
f,,l; n>c,u ~ In.H ) seven sto-
rles high. The building cost $7,OOOOOo
and was projected by the late W. q.
Ralston. The Palace was the most fa-
NOUS hotel In the city. 1t was the ren-
devious Of many notable men about
town, particularly the gourmands or
San Francisco.
The building was a huge pile or
stone and brick, In the center Of which
was q court 81 by IA feet. 1T had
bitumcn drive for carriages fifty feet
in diameter. The floor Of the prom
enade was paved with marble. The
west end Of tho court was enclrcled by
a series Of Dorlc pillars Of classic de-
sign. Tho pillars were surmounted by
n coping ON which were tropical plants
and flowers. Tables and settees were
usually scattered about the court,
chat and smoke.
The court was covered by a glass
roof, and a goodly number Of tho $50
rooms looked out into this opening,
which furnished them with subdued
light. The Palace hotel was connected
by bridge across New Montgomery
street with the Grand hotel, which was
under the same management and
which was also destroyed.
The Palace hotel was provided with
reading and smoking rooms. social
women's and mems parlors, telegraph
offices, billiard rooms, five elevators, 4
restaurant and grill room, which wns
considered one Of the most elegant din
Ing apartments for men In the world
The outer and inner partitions were o
brick from top to bottom. -Four artc
Sian wells furnished the hotel with wa
ter. From the top Of the hotel n fin
blrdseye view of the city could be oil
tained. The extent Of tho corridor
amounted to some two and ha
miles. The style of the building We
peculiarly San franciscan, bay wi
dows abounding.
The Cllff House.-This stood on Poll
Lobos. at tho south head Of the Goldc
Cato, on the extreme western coast
the peninsula upon which San Fra
cisco was built. 1t slid into the sea.
was a favorite resort In tho summe
attracting thousands from tho thickl
settled eastern section Of San Frau
cisco. One could sit on the verand
and look ont over tho ocean and watc
sea lions playing around the rocks
few hundred yards distant. Out to tn
south he could sec long line Of seG
beach upon which tho breakers rolled
On clear day Farallone islands, TWEEN
ty-six miles distant, can be seen from
the spot where stood the Cliff House.
The huge structure that slid into tn
sea was designed after q French cha
teau of the seventeenth century. Run
ming around 1t was al inclosed bal
cOny. There were parlors, dining
rooms and halls where photographs OF
local objects of interest and curios
were sold.
The Cliff House has suffered several
disasters. 1t was first built IN 1868. II
was partly wrecked In July, 1886, when
the schooner Parallel drifted inshort
with $4,000 pounds Of dynamite OH
board, which exploded. Having been
rebuilt, 1t was burned to the ground OH
Christmas night Of 1904. Cliff House
was seven miles from the Palace hotel.
ard several car lines led to it. Its
keepers boosted that Presidents Grant,
Hayes and Harrison had stood on its
balconies.
Mills Building.-This was one Of the
finest buildings In the city, being ten
stories high and made of California
marble, light pressed brick and terra
Gotta. 1t cost $1,5O0,OO0 and was put
up In 1801-92 by D. o. Mills at tho
northeast corner of Montgomery and
Bush streets. The three entrances from
Bush, Pine and Montgomery streets
led into great open court In tho cen
ter. The entrance from Montgomery
street was through magnificent mar
Die arch that extended to the top Of thu
second story. Tho halls were tiled ant
wainscoted with marble. A complet,
law library was supplied for the use
tho tenants. The United States wealth
or bureau had Its headquarters on til
top hoor. with the signal station on tn
ROOF. This was another building whic
the San Franciscan was always prou
to point out to the visitor. Built G
iron. stono. brick and marble through
out, 1t was thought to be proof again,
both earthquakes and fires.
City Hall.-Thls occupied larf
three cOrnered tract Of land boundf