Evening star., 1950-12-24
The National Hotel
Old HosteIy Had Many Notable Guests;
Was Where Henry Clay Died in 1852
By John CIoeett Proctor

so Tar as the OlQ NaLlOnal F1OCe.
at Pennsylvania avenue and Sixth
street NV. is concerned, on the
morning of October 2, 1921, just
a little more than 20 years ago
it looked for a while as though the
day of it's passing had arrived
Flames enveloped the upper stories
and roof and at times looked men.
acing. AS it was, considerable
damage was done and had it not
been for the efficiency of our Fire
Department, that morning woulc
have ended the National Hotel.
In addition to the serious prop
erty damage sustained, two per-
sons lost their lives and there
were many narrow escapes among
the 300 and more guests who
climbed down ladders or were
carried down by firemen.
The National must have beer
begun prior to 1926, if the state.
ment is true that it was opened te
guests on Washington's Birthday
February %, 1925, by a parade
succeeded In the evening by
grand ball at the hotel.
Gadsby Ran 1t First
The first proprietor of the Ma
tional was John Gadsby, who
formerly ran the Indian Queen
Hotel in Baltimore. He had come
here in 1919, to conduct the
O'Neale hostelry, known as the
Franklin Hotel, but about 1925
he decided upon change OF 10
cation and the National was
erected especially for him. He
took a long lease on the property
and it was during his proprietor
ship that it was known as Gadsby's s
Hotel.
Among the most accurate state
ments Of the early history OF this
hotel is the reference by John
Sessford in his annals. In his
review of the year 1926. he says:
Great improvements have been
made to Browns Tavern (site o1
the Metropolitan) and a new
and extensive one, to be kept bJ
Mr.. Gadsby, is now ready fol
occupation"
His report for the following yeal
(1827) carried this reference
". the extensive additions tt
the National Hotel carried up t.
the square, and will be finished
early in the coming season. which
will make it one of the most ex
tensive and commodious tavern
in the Union" The following yea
Mr.. Sessford says: q. the Ma
tional nearly completed and II
Pennsylvania avenue. front Of it
is accommodation for the Banl
of Washington.
In 1874, when Samuel S. Cole
man took charge of the place
John Gadsby having given III
direct control of the business ant
moved to the Decatur residence
which he had bought, it under.
went what was called "a thorough
repair" At the time it was built
it was the first building erected
in the city for strictly hotel pur-
poses that was not designed along
the same lines as a private house
Place Changed Hands
A writer in 1880 describes
Gadsby's as follows: "The ediflct
fronts 1913 feet on Sixth street
1876 on C street and 140 on the
great Avenue. Under the same
roof are a bank. stage office,
wine store and lottery office; il
the parallelogram is comprised al
open area of 140 by 80 feet, with
perennial fountain of spring
water and grass plots, and wide
piazzas are attached inside to the
several stories. There are 24(
apartments altogether, of which
ITO are lodging rooms and 13 pri'
vate parlors.
It is also said that following
John Gadsby the hotel business
was conducted by Gadsby &
Newton, then by william Gadsby
son of the former proprietor. te
be followed by Samuel S. Coleman
After this came a Mr.. Blackmar
and for a time after 1849 it wa.
conducted by Calvert & Co., whit
were soon succeeded by Dexter &
Willard, and then came Guy &
Briggs, who ran it until 1857.
The Willard referred to was Ed
win S. Willard, a brother to th'
J Willard who for so many year