Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-30
VIRGINIA BEACH.
Special Correspondence Of The Star.

special Correspondence or The Star.
VIRGINIA BEACH. Va, June q, 1907.
Last Sunday marked the opening of the
season at this resort, when about 1000
visitors filled the boardwalk and pavilion.
There have been several improvements
at the beach since last year incident upon
its rise as a town. The sewer system,
under the direction of Mr.. W. ]. O'Keefe,
chairman of the street and sewer COM
nittee. has been extended to include the
Whole of the cottage section, and the recon-
Itruction of the lakes IN the rear of the
beach has been almost completed The
installation of the increased electric pump
Ing system. supplying these lakes with a
continual flow Of salt water direct from
the ocean. was placed in operation last
Wednesday and will be continued as a
regular part of the street and sewer sys-
TENS works. This will give a cooling eff
feet to the beach, as well as help eliminate
any mosquitoes which might be inclined
to poster the summer visitors.
1t was at first thought that the de-
structfon of the Princess Anne Hotel would
seriously cripple the beach this season in
its accommodation for summer guests The
cottagers and hotel men have, however,
risen to the occasion. and it is not likely
that any guests will be turned away. One
of the most noticeable improvements in the
hotel line Is that at the Hotel Virginia
Beach. Mr.. A. Forman, who is the present
lessee and manager, has thoroughly reno
waited and reconstructed this house which
was formerly known as the Hotel Ran
dolph. and Is rapidly booking guests for
the season. Mr.. Forman is a well-known
hotel man. having formerly conducted the
Hotel Bourbon and the famous Spring Lake
House at Spring Lake, Mich. Announce
ment has been made that evening concerts
and dancing will begin at this house during
the coming week. Among the guests at
present registered at the Hotel Virginia
Beach are ]. T. Orchard. C. E. Lewis
". Grant and Mrs. A. L. Peters and fam
ly.
The damage to the O'Keefe Inn resulting
rom the fire Of the Princess Anne Hotel
las been fully repaired The house being
htuated on the diagonal corner from the
'rincess Anne. had a very close call during
he morning of the fire. but by good judg-
nent and hard work on the part of the
Ire fighters the damage was con..ned to
scorched shingles and broken glass Mar.
okeefe has opened the house for the
season.
The excursion season at the Cape Henry
Casino was inaugurated last Tuesday when
ibout 900 people from Portsmouth spent the
lay on its spacious floors The casino baths
we're also well patronized, most of the
Young people enjoying the cooling effects
81 the surf.
Mr.. w. j. OKeefe, the lessee of the
pavilion at the beach, has also made well
the summer guest The pavilion has been
enlarged with new attractions. Mr. O'Keefe
mas also added a very popular feature to
the pavilion by turning the dancing ar
rangements over to the ladies of the Cot
tage Association. These ladies' will have
entire charge of the dancing for the sum-
mer. and Will arrange affairs that
there will be weekly germans and perhaps
an occasional cotillon. The patronesses
include Mesdames Macnen, Holland Allen
Ashburn. Wright. Glennan Fitzhugh. Pan
Mill, Dance and the Misses Lister. and Blow,
Mrs. Cachin Of the Hancock Cottage is en-
Pertaining Mrs. G.. Robbins, Miss Goldie
Robbins and Midshpman Robbins, u s. N
Mrs. Robbins was to have sailed shortly
for Europe, but her departure was DELAYED
by the destruction of the Princess Anne
Hotel. and she Will remain at the Hancock
Cottage for an indefinite period
Mr.. William s. Hgor is registered at the
Hancock Cottage for the summer Season
Mr.. ]. Carroll Spalding of Washington is
at the Casino at Cape Henry for the sum-
mer.
Miss Leila Barrett of Alexandria is among
the late arrivals at Cape Henry.
Mrs. II. G. Chandler of Washington has
arrived at the beach for the summer and is
registered at the Hancock.