SAN MARCO HOTEL
RAP SHEET
1882.05.09 FLORIDA TIMES UNION
PROPERTY Unnamed (San Marco) ADDRESS PROPRIETOR STAFF JS Cruft, owner James Smith, special agent for JS Cruft HEADLINE Saint Augustine's Great Hotel… The Immense Building to be Ready for the Coming Season LETTER "Saint Augustine, Fla, May 9. "To the editor of the Times Union: "My attention has just been called to an item in the Times Union of yesterday morning to the effect that work had been 'suspended' on our hotel on account of a disagreement, etc. "Please allow me to say that not one assertion in the item is true. Work has not been 'suspended;' there is no 'disagreement;' the owner is not 'disgusted,' and there is no 'war.' "The facts are, that by the most perfect harmony in the councils, the work has been advanced rapidly, as everyone knows who is at all familiar with the progress we have made. In fact, quoting a remark made in my hearing a hundred times, the immense building has risen almost as if by magic. And when Mr Cruft came over from Magnolia to inspect it, just prior to his return to Boston, he was so well pleased with the advanced condition of the enterprise that, by the advice of the architect and the master builder, he reduced the working force almost one half to allow the building to dry and settle, and to give the plasterers a full opportunity to do the very best work possible. Your note of a 'squabble' has done great injustice to all. I have seen many enterprises carried on, but I have never seen such perfect harmony exhibited before. From owners down to mule drivers, there has been but one object in view, to see how rapidly the work could be pushed along. "The house will be finished in ample season for next winter's business and in the best possible shape; no one need to have any fears of that. The work is at least one month in advance of the estimated time and we can well afford to rest from our labors for a time. "Hoping that you will make such correction as will do justice to all, I am, "Very truly yours, James Smith "Special Agent for JS Cruft." 1883.01.18 FLORIDA TIMES UNION
PROPERTY Unnamed (San Marco) and Magnolia House ADDRESS Just outside the old city gates in near the fort PROPRIETOR HEADLINE Saint Augustine's New Hotel… An Immense Building… Improvements in the Magnolia House TEXT "We had the pleasure of meeting yesterday afternoon Mr JA McGuire , who has the contract to build the new hotel at Saint Augustine for Mr IS Craft [sic]. Mr McGuire says that it is to be the largest, as well as the finest finished and furnished hotel in the state. It is to be 'L' shaped, 250 feet long by 240 feet deep and five stories high, in the construction of which 2,000,000 feet of lumber will be required, the greater part of which will be purchased in the city. The hotel will be beautifully situated on a tract of land just outside the old city gates in near the fort, and commanding a splendid view of the harbor, city and ocean. The foundations and chimneys, which will be of cement and shell will be commenced in a few days. The hotel will be very ornamental, as towers will be run up on every corner and on top will be a promenade 500 feet in length and 6 feet wide. Double piazza are also to surround the building. The office will be 30x45, over which will be a rotunda running up to 60 feet. The parlor is to be 40x75 feet and the dining room 50x200 feet. The hotel will contain, besides parlors, dining room, office, [---], 325 rooms, each of which will be finished up and furnished in the most elegant style. Besides the hotel, a laundry two stories high, and 30x100 feet will be erected, as will be help quarters 30x80 feet, and other buildings. The inside of the building will be finished up entirely in walnut and hard woods. "Mr Maguire, who is the builder of the Magnolia hotel, which is also owned by Mr Craft, says that within the past few months he has created a theater there of the dimensions of 45x100 feet, with 21 feet ceilings, and a stage 28x40, and also a bowling alley and shooting gallery 20 x 85 feet." 1885 CITY DIRECTORY
PROPERTY Hotel San Marco ADDRESS Situated on the Shell Road opposite the old Spanish Fort PROPRIETOR STAFF OD Seavey, Mgr 1885 CHAPIN'S DIRECTORY
PROPERTY San Marco ADDRESS Shell nr city gate PROPRIETOR STAFF McGilvray and Ainslie, mgrs TEXT "275 rooms is open… fireplaces, gas lights, corridors and public rooms heated with steam. "McGilvray and Ainslie—mgrs" 1885-86 CHAPIN'S DIRECTORY
PROPERTY Hotel San Marco ADDRESS PROPRIETOR 1891.01.18 SAINT AUGUSTINE NEWS
PROPERTY Hotel San Marco ADDRESS PROPRIETOR Messrs Ainslie and McGilvrary TEXT "'The opening of Hotel San Marco, on the 19th of January 1891,' is an announcement that will give pleasure to the many patrons of this delightful homelike hotel, whose natural advantages are unexcelled. Standing on high ground it commands a view of the old fort, bay and ocean to the east and on the west of the San Sebastian meandering amid the foliage and marsh, the whole beautiful and restful. The interior of the house has been thoroughly renovated, and the managers, Messrs Ainslie and McGilvrary [sic], promise their table will be furnished with the best the market affords, daintily served. Servants on hand to do the bidding of their guests, while these accomplished gentlemen will see that their guests are properly entertained, and whisper if softly, Maidens fair, they are both handsome bachelors." 1891.02.08 SAINT AUGUSTINE NEWS
PROPERTY Hotel San Marco ADDRESS PROPRIETOR TEXT "The San Marco is gradually filling with guests. Many of the old patrons of the house do not yet know the house is open, and when the fact becomes generally known their old-time guests will return. Their books show many guests registered who are expected to arrive after the 10th. There are a number of guests now in the house who are South for the first time, and they express themselves as being delighted and surprised with their accommodations. No house in the city has superior public rooms. The parlor proper is large and handsomely furnace, artistic pictures adorn the walls, handsome bric-a-brac, and mirrors the stately metals, while the smaller parlors, reading, writing and reception rooms are cozy and bright with comfortable chairs and pleasant open fires. The verandas are the favorite sitting rooms after all, and the guests enjoy their brightness and the beautiful view from them all day long." 1891.03.22 SAINT AUGUSTINE NEWS
PROPERTY San Marco ADDRESS PROPRIETOR General Crufts TEXT "General Crufts, of the San Marco, has gone to Mexico for rest and pleasure. On his return he proposes adding to the excellent arrangements of that popular house a tennis court, and possibly a race course, there being abundant room for both." 1893.01.21 SAINT AUGUSTINE TATLER
PROPERTY San Marco ADDRESS PROPRIETOR Messrs Ainslie & McGilvray STAFF OD Seavey, manager (former) HEADLINE The San Marco… The San Marco Serves Lunch on the 18th, Thus Opening One of the Largest and Best Conducted Houses in the Country to the Public TEXT "On the 18th inst Messrs Ainslie & McGilvray opened the San Marco to the public. At noon lunch was served to a number of guests who had secured rooms, anticipating the event. At 8pm their fine orchestra gave a delightful concert in the great parlor and the guests sat about enjoying it. "The San Marco is delightfully situated, standing on a slight elevation overlooking the sea and land for miles about. At its feet lies the bay and between, Fort Marion, while on the south lies the city proper, presenting a superb picture with its turrets and domes and towers arising from the deep green of the tropical foliage. "The west windows have as beautiful and yet quite different picture before them, from here the San Sebastian meanders among the flats and clumps of trees with a back ground of piney woods wafting their pitchy odor to the surrounding country. The north view is again distinct and beautiful, for here are a quaint and beautiful cottages, handsome and humble homes surrounded by beautiful gardens with rich, dark foliage; either scene one to rest the eye and brain of the most obtuse, while the lover of the beautiful will revel in each one and memory recall them with delight for years to come. "The grounds around Hotel San Marco are extensive and well kept. The Fort grounds, with San Marco avenue intervening, same but a continuation of them, while just beyond is the home of Mr Wm Warden standing in a wilderness of handsome shrubbery and flowers. "The San Marco was erected when there were few large hotels in the State save at Jacksonville, and from the first season, when it was opened with Mr OD Seavey, Manager, has been popular. Indeed it was this house and its concourse of guests that suggested the possibilities of the Ponce de Leon to Mr Flagler. "The hotel has been open for eight years with a single exception, when, owing to the death of its first owner, it was impossible for the trustees to arrange for its management. "It is a large house with an imposing entrance on both the east and south front. The office is in a wide handsome room; from it extends halls running its entire length, and from them opens an immense parlor, handsomely furnished, and a number of smaller rooms, including reception, reading and writing rooms for men and women. There is a telegraph office and news stand in the office, large elevator and three broad, easy flights of stairs, the latter are in different parts of the house and easy of access, as broad halls are the rule on each floor including the sixth." 1894.01.13 SAINT AUGUSTINE TATLER
PROPERTY San Marco ADDRESS PROPRIETOR TEXT "The San Marco is rapidly becoming a magnet to music lovers. The music furnished by the Hungarian Gypsy Band is soul-stirring and lingers in the memory for days to come. Their concerts are given at 10:30 in the morning, at dinner hour, 6pm, and from 8 to 9pm." 1895.01.19 SAINT AUGUSTINE TATLER
PROPERTY Hotel San Marco ADDRESS PROPRIETOR Blanchard & Hager ADVERT "Hotel San Marco… Saint Augustine, Fla... Blanchard & Hager… "Opened for the Season 1895 on January 16… "The Imperial Austrian Military Band, Leo Sommers, Mus D, Director, will furnish music at this hotel." 1897.11.08 NEW YORK TIMES
PROPERTY Hotel San Marco ADDRESS PROPRIETOR Leased it to McDowell & Palmer NAMES Owner by William Beale HEADLINE A Florida Hotel Burned… The San Marco in Saint Augustine Reduced to Ashes—Fire Started by Incendiaries. TEXT "Saint Augustine, Fla, Nov 7—The Hotel San Marco, one of the finest and most commodious hotel properties in this city, was burned to the ground this morning. The loss is about $250,000, with less than $50,000 insurance. "The fire was started by incendiaries. "It was discovered a few minutes after 3 o'clock, and an alarm was sounded with steam whistles, the incendiaries having a cut the fire bell rope. Those who gathered at the first call attached the hotel hose to the well on the grounds and began to fight the fire." "An engine reached the scene, but its work was delayed because the incendiaries had cut holes in the suction pipes. "The flames spread from the woodshed and boiler room to the kitchen, and then to the dining room and theatre. These structures were three stories high, and to the west of, but connecting with, the main building, which was six stories high, with towers in the centre and on each wing. Hundreds of men assisted in removing the furniture from the main floor, and a large quantity was taken out, the main floor being almost entirely bare before the fire drove the workers away. "The San Marco was owned by William Beale, a real estate dealer in Boston, and was leased it to McDowell & Palmer, and would have been opened next month. "Fearing further incendiaries, those in charge of the Hotel Ponce de Leon have ordered steam up constantly in order to furnish water pressure at a moment's notice. "The citizens of the city have offered $500 reward for the capture of the incendiaries." |