The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-04-25
TO OPEN MAY II
New National Will Soon Be
Ready for Business.
Only Roof Garden in Kansas
Nearly Completed.
A MODEL HOSTELRY.
Will Contain One Hundred and
Fifty Rooms.
One Floor Devoted to the Com
mercial Travellers.

opened to the public May IL will be
the heading of a chapter soon to be
written in the history of Topeka prog
ress. Ever since last fall workmen
have been busy on the old National.
The hotel has been rebuilt, modern
lied and enlarged past all resemblance
of its former appearance. Wood &
Williamson, the lessee3, Will take pos
session of their hosiery about May 10.
They expect to open their doors to the
public May II, and on the night or
May 3 will have as their guests the
ladies of the Eastern Star of Kansas at
the grand state gathering to be held
here on that date. Topekans are in
terested in the opening of this hotel
and proud of it, for the reason that
it gives this city the most modern
hotel of this size in the state. or in
this section of the west. The painters
and carpenters are hn1shlng their
work this week, so an idea can De
gained from inspection of what nne
hostelry this city is to have in the near
future.
1t stands seven stories high, right in
the business heart of the city, mas 13o
rooms and is equipped with every
modern convenience one could imagine
or call for, even if one had an Alad-
din's lamp. The roof garden is the
crowning feature. No detail has beer,
place of entertainment and conven-
fence 80 feet high in the air. me roof
of the hotel has been covered with
vitrified brick, then asphalt piaceo
over these and another flooring 10 De
placed over the asphalt. wall four
feet high guards the edges. In the
center roof has been built OF steel
and concrete and plate glass. Inc
garden can be enclosed in stormy
weather. Opera chairs will be placed
there. and tables, and the place can
be made into anything desired. from
lecture hall to a theater. 1t VIII De
cool up there during the hottest
weather The view is grand. You can
not possibly have an idea of what
beautiful city Topeka is and now
grandly it lies among green hills until
you ascend to the National roof gar
den. Such place will prove an m
place is sure to be thronged all OF next
summer The elevator deposits its
passengers on the roof.
Really. the new hotel is modei OF
convenience. comfort and sanitation.
Not the slightest detail has been over
looked. On the first floor are the
usual features of 6an big hotels. on
the second floor the open reception
tinct features. Then there are three
ladies' tea roms on this floor. The
third, fourth and fifth floors are about
the same as found in other hotels, put
the sixth floor is different. rms IS tne
travelling mans floor. The rooms are
very large and magnificently lighted.
An alcove Is provided for the BED, SO
that each drummer may have sample
room in his own romo. On this moor is
a suite of four rooms, all connected,
for use of ball teams or other athleuc
parties
A large air shaft runs UP through
the center of the building; Then tnere
are three air fumes. The sanitary
nprfpCt.
dust chutes on every floor and ABOUT
100 closets and toilets. The light
wires are all enclosed in condufts. In
the basement, besides an elaborate set
Of baths, there is a desiccating plant,
machinery room. heating plant, laun-
dry and suction fans for the air fumes.
The building is equipped with seven
fire escapes.
while the National is private en-
terprise, built for private gain, yet
every citizen takes pride in the pest
for Topeka Such hotel is a help
TO CITY progress. 1t is necessary
adjunct to the Auditorium In the en-
tertainment and care of guests and
strangers in a way that no other city
in the state can approach. 1t is neces-
sarv for a convention city to have the
largest and by far the best hotels. Z.
r. Williamson. president of the com
pany, is an old travelling man hlmsel1,
and he has tried to plan the motel on
the lines of the wants and KICKS ne
made and ideas he gained while on the
road He retired in 1903 and has since
been in the hotel business here. He
has host of friends all over the
country who will wish him the success
he deserves in this big venture TO give
Topeka the biggest and best home for
the stranger within her gates