Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-03-08


leaders In society of both continents
me hotel was an al-the- Scar-round
resort; the season being ut it's height
from February until after Easter
x 1t has been the scene of many nota
Sie army and navy functions, and was
the rendezvous OF officers OF both
arms or the service.
Built Under Act of Congress.
1t was built by congressional nor.
mt during the administration OF
President Cleveland. an act OF Con-
E gre s,a neing necessary. as the build
erty. op
The hotel was erected by tho late
senator George Hearst, father OF VIII
rcction Of John Chamberlin, a promi
Ment restauranteur and conniosscrr OF
tWashlngton, as the result. it was said
nearby seaside resort. John Cham
berlin, after whom the hotel was
nnamed numbered among his friends
iresioent Cleveland and many OF the
most influential members of Congress
OF that time.
=, Work OF construction was begun in
litigation. ii is understood. was sus-
pended for several years. Work was
reeomm,enced and the hotel was finally
The Chamberlain had 900 rooms and
was seven stories high. 1t was 45o
let let long, and pavilion extended
hay. out upon which the hotel faced
Steamers from Baltimore, New York
and Washington landed almost oppo-
the Old Dominion Steamship Company
which navigate the various tribu
tarics to Chesapeake Bay.
Presidents a. It's Guests.
=. Among the Presidents OF tho United
States who have been guests of the
Chambcri!n were Cleveland, Roosevelt
and TAT; President Wilson has
visited Old Point Comfort but. as far
a. sns tfvl,
registered at. the iChamberlin over
The chamberlin has been tho sconc
OF numerous army and navy balls and
banquets. which have followed the
he Newport News shipbuilding' ' and nd
were the christening OF tho S. s. Vir-
GINA, when between 100 AMI 1,4U0
attended tho banquet; tho s. S. Miss
tssippi and the S. S. Pennsylvania
The Chambcrlin also has been the
scene OF many notable convcutions
among such gatherings being tho .vir-
Einia Bar Association, the State
BANKERS Association, AND many other
important organizations. Heads OF
some Of the coun.ry's largest rail
conferences at the Chamberin.
During the early years OF the Cham
berlin, al was not smooth sailing,
81 profitable enterprise.
Owned by New York Company.
The Chnmbcriin was owned by the
Old Point Improvement Company
with offices At sc Broadway, New Yorl;
City. ". Butler Duncan. OF New York
is president OF the company: w. d
Randall. treasurer, and II. y. DeIanoic
secretary.
George +. Adams waR its manager
$. p. Valentine, now assistant man
aGer. OF the Richmond Hotel, Rich
Inond. was associated with the Cham
berlin for twenty years.
al wi ich ,t,
palmiest days. enjoyed a reputation
almost as renowned as that of tn,
Chamherlin, WAS torn down during III,
Spanish American War because. i
was said. II INSTRUCTED the view OF
Hampton Roads. in the event OF ar
Invasion by tho Spanish fleet.
When permission was given by the
government 70 build thc Chamberlin
II was with the Understanding that. ir
the event that the cxiecncics of wa
made II necessary, II was 10 no cvac
uatcd and dismnntlcd by the War De
partmcnt, because II offered itself n.
splendid target for possible hostil,
vesSpIs nj sea