Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-07-02
Random Sketches of Old-Ti Richmond
ny LEWIS Il. BLAIR.


Early in 1910 tho Eagle Hotel. on
the south side OF Main. between
Twelfth and Thirteenth Streets. and
the only fashionable hotel In Rich
mond. was burned to the ground
though | was then only six years of
age. the burning OF the hotel was in
dclibly Impressed upon my mind by
the fact Of tho family being assembled
in the rear chamber of the top story
To witness not exactly tho couia gra-
ton itself but the brilliant illumina-
tion OF the heavens. and especially tho
sheets Of light projected high into the
sky upon the falling of portions of
the building. from time TO tmc-and
expressing fears lest the fire reach us
several blocks above. Except for the
Log Cabin OF the "Tippccanoc and
Tyler too campaign. the site of tho
burned hotel remained unoccupicd for
some years. until built upon with
stores, handsome for the time. occu-
pied mostly by retail dry goods houses.
The loss OF tho Eagle Hotel being
kecnlv felt. steps were taken to re-
place il by another iirst-class hotel.
and in q few years the Exchange arose
at the southeast corner of Franklin
and Fourteenth Streets. The Exchange
Hotel was large and very handsome
building for its day. succeed, and
with two great bullying fronts, con-
nectcd by handsome facade, with en-
trance between. This hotel was
opened by MIR Royden. a Northern
gentleman. but he was succeeded in a
few years 10y John p. Ballard. OF the
Powhatan House Cater Ford's Hotel)
Under tho management OF MIR. Ballard
who was a prince of Bonifaccs. the Ex-
change became very popular, prospcrcd
greatly, and thcnccforth. for years.
was the center of society, business and
OF politics during tho annual meet
ings of tho Legislature. In winter
wealthy planters crowded it's Corridors
and tho jcunessc doree were in full
feather Just below tho Exchange
were the negro trading marts. where
money flowed like water, and where
planters were in constant evidence
either hUyinE or selling slaves: and this
croWd lreely patronizcd the hotel
Gambia houses crowded about tho
Exchange, where the sons as we'll as
the fathers wore necccd. Altogether
tho Exchange and its encourage might
hc said TO have been gay hut wicked
and not the place in which 10 bring up
children, or where concerts 81
prayer that is, prayer meetings
would flourish.
BUILDS HANDSOME HOTEL
OPPOSITE TIL: EXCHANGE
MIR Ballard erected "A handsome
hotel opposite the Exchange. and con-
nectcd the two by "a bridge over
Franklin street. Prosperity beEe,s
extravaganza and neglect OF business,
and Mr.. Billiards. case was no cxccp-
ton 10 tho rule: in a few years no was
bankrupt; Yet he mover lost his
bright nature. but was cheerful under
all conditions. Very different from
Mr. Ballard was Colonel 10 Caring
ton. the last proprietor of tho EN-
change, who was altogether lacking
in the rcnialty necessary TO make him
popular a. a landlord At his death,
after tho war. the hotel was closed;
later it was RACED, and n wholesale
dry goods house built upon its site
Subjects Tavern. q popular resort
for business men, at the southeast cor
ner OF Cary and Thirteenth Streets,
] mention for the singular reason that