The Washington herald., 1911-08-19
FAMOUS aD INN
1T CABIN JOHN
BRIDGE FOR SALE
Patronized by Presidents;
Now on the Market.
A FAR.FAMED HOSTELRY

Famous for the fullness of its hos
pitality from the time when as
humble log cabin it opened its doors
to President Grant in the latter's early
morning rides throughout the District
and its environs, to later days, when
President Roosevelt stopped off oc-
casionally, the old Cabin John Bridge
Hotel is at last about to bow for the
final curtain. William Bebinger, pro-
prietor of the hotel and owner of some
seventy acres of adjoining land-the
famous old Bobinger estate-has put the
most noted of Maryland road houses
on the market at last.
Fried Chicken with Trimmin's.
Bobinger's Hotei-for the appreciative
guest could not know the house without
knowing the owner-needs little introduce
ton to any Washingtonisn whom q wa
tering palate may send far and wide In
search of Fried chicken a la Mary
Iand"-with trimmins. An oasis in a
desert travel, 1t has stood out through
two generations of the family that has
grown famous and wealthy through its
proprietorshfp.
When the cumbersome wheeled vehi-
cles of the early '70's made the back Of
a horse the most pleasant mode of cross
country travel, the hitching rail before
the crude, rambling. and eminently invit-
int log cabin over which Joseph Bobinger
its quota of waiting, riderless horses.
For whether on business or pleasure
bent. few passers-by but stopped to pay
their respects to the courtly old Mary
lander, whom President Grant, his Cab
met, and many other high officials and
Presidents delighted to honor with their
friendship and patronage.
Later, when the founder Of the instftu-
tion-for institution 1t had gotten to be-
died, the place passed on to his two sons,
George, who has since died. and William.
the present owner.
improvements by Sons.
The two young men started out at once
to improve the place and meet the grow
ing demand for more extensive quarters.
The first work on the present building
was commenced In 1883, and additions
have since been made from time TO time,
until now the place more closely re-
sembles an immense summer hotel estab-
lishment than the simple rambling,
hroad-porched cabin that first occupied
the present site at the west end Of the
famous bridge. Stables were erected on
the opposite side Of the conduit road,
and an elaborate scheme of landscape
gardening turned the ten acres leading
from the, back of the house to the
and Ohio canal into a veri-
table fairy garden OF terraces, hedges,
rustic retreats, and magnificent shade
trees.
Sun parlors and dining-rooms were
added in a handsome projection extend
ing into the park from the south front
of the house in later years, and when
the bicycle first came into popular favor
the park was turned into pleasure re-
sort of a quiet, orderly type. and a few
years later, when the street cars began
bringing crowds out, the hotel feature
was subordinated to the amusement
park, where merry-go-rounds swings,
bands. and other features had been in
stalled. .-
Old Atmosphere Retained.
But throughout all this rise TO popular
favor, the old atmosphere of Joseph Bob
inger's simple hostelry was not dissi-
pated. The elaborate. roomy structure
built by the sons brought larger crowds
but few came who did not respect the
quiet and reserve of the place. And, to
uhn 81
known, nothing could have been more
exclusive.
But now Mr.. Bobinger, who has guided
the old place through still and troubled
waters, Is ready to retire. New laws in
Montgomery County have robbed the
place of much of its quiet splendor. "Biue
laws" are no respecters of persons. The
features have been taken out
Few of the old faces that used to gather
around the tables on the broad porBhes
or in the forty-odd dfning-rooms 'are
now to be seen. Occasionally the old
place takes on an echo of its whilom
radiance when a few of the "old Guard.
gather up their goods, send out word Of
their approach, and quietly invest por-
ton of the house for an evening But
the zest Is gone for Mr.. Bobinger and
he is about to withdraw.
In placing the estate on the market
Mr.. Bobinger has no idea that II will
continue as hotel or road house. While
no deal has been definitely closed as yet,
1t is understood that q number of promi-
nent physicians, here and in New Eng
land, are negotiating for the property.
Intending to turn It into a sanatorium.
The building ITSELF roomy and well ven-
tilated, is admirably adapted to such a
purpose, and the fine park surrounding
Il Odds greatly to its attractiyeness.
The property has been placed in the
hands of w. A. Craig & Co., a local real
estate firm. for sale. Mr.. Craig has had
a number Of conferences over the propo-
sition pending. and It is understood the