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| Excerpt from “Picturesque Babylon, Bay Shore and Islip,” published by Mercantile Illustrating Co., 1894. |
Babylon’s famed Argyle
Hotel officially opened in June 1882. A month earlier, the local South Side
Signal newspaper published this description of the new hotel. Rather than
rewriting a summary of the hotel’s opening, I am pleased to reprint this
article, published in the South Side Signal,[i] so that you may experience
the same introduction to the Argyle Hotel that was experienced in 1882.
Babylon’s Grand Hotel –
The “Argyle”
The long talked-of project of erecting a mammoth hotel on the Litchfield property[ii]— the most eligible site in the town—is at last a reality, and under the intelligent direction of Austin Corbin the Long Island Improvement Company have given us a caravansary capable of accommodating the tide of pleasure-seekers who desire to make Babylon their summer home. For years our accommodations have been inadequate to meet the demands of those who would gladly tarry with us, but who were compelled to seek hospitality elsewhere along our shores. Seeing this growing demand for better quarters, the company organized this enterprise; with considerable tact they have seized upon the opportunity, and the result cannot be otherwise than satisfactory to those engaged in the enterprise and the community in which it is located. The Hotel “Argyle” is rapidly approaching completion, and the first of June will see its doors, thrown open to its guests, who have, we understand, already arranged for more than half its capacity.
Accepting the invitation of the architects and contractor, on Tuesday lust we made an inspection of the "Argyle," and through the politeness of Superintendent Brophy were shown through its spacious apartments, and the plans of running the establishment were fully explained. On entering, the visitor is ushered into the grand hull on the lower floor, which is lighted and ventilated by large oval openings through the four floors, properly protected by strong ornamental railings.
Here the offices are located, and facing the main entrance is the grand staircase, finished und railed in solid woods – ash predominating. To the left is the dining hall, which is to be one of the most prominent features of the house. It is 98 feet long by 47 feet wide, and will seat with four private dining-rooms adjoining, 600 persons at once. The interior is gothic, in natural woods – lighted by large stained-glass windows. The ceiling in the highest parts is 55 feet above the floor. Adjoining is the kitchen, a room 40x50 feet in size, fitted with patent ranges, steam tables and every first-class kitchen appliance. The balance of the first floor is devoted to suites, private parlors and sleeping apartments—there being about 300 of these, all connected with the office by patent electric bells.
On the second floor the main parlors are located, the balance being devoted to sleeping accommodations. The third floor is nearly a duplicate of the second. Three square, tower-like structures surmount the main roof by two stories. The center of the building is surmounted by two ornamental towers, five and six stories high—with flagstaff 40 feet still higher. The view from the top of the towers is grand beyond description - affording a birdseye view of a vast expanse of sea and shore.
Descending to the basement the visitor is struck by the scope afforded in every department. Here the barbershops, baths, billiard saloons, bar and wine-rooms are located. The hotel is flunked on either side by airy piazzas—30 feet wide in front, and of proportionate width on the sides and rear, all planked and sealed in Georgia pine, finished in shellac and varnished. In addition to these there are several upper piazzas und 24 private balconies. The water service of the house is perfect, and an abundant supply has been provided for—the water being pumped to a water tower some distance west of the house. On each floor there are three fire plugs of regulation size, with hose and pipes attached, ready for instant use. The drainage system is admirably arranged, with patent overflow and precipitating traps; thus guarding effectually against contaminating the soil - so often the result of imperfect drainage.
The "Argyle” has been constructed with special reference to the comfort and convenience of the guests. All the rooms are large, light, easy of access, and well ventilated. The halls arc wide and roomy, and, in fact, the whole arrangement is as near perfect ns it was possible to make it. Its construction called for the services of about 85 men for three months. Its completion in so short a space of time is almost a marvel of mechanical skill and energy. Its success cannot fail to add largely to the wealth and prosperity of the town. It is designed to accommodate about 600 guests, and its management will require the service, of about 150 employees.
The ground plan of the building is somewhat in the shape of a Maltese cross—covering 41,250 square feet of surface. The entire area of the various floors is 206,250 square feet, or about 104 acres. The grounds embrace about 60 acres, handsomely adorned and shaded. The situation commands Blythebourne Lake and the highest elevation in the village. The cost of construction cannot be definitely stated, as the work is not entirely completed. May 15 is the time fixed for closing up the work, and the house will be open to the public soon after the first of June.
We cannot well close this random sketch without making a brief allusion to who those inspired and executed the work of this important enterprise.
The “Argyle” has been placed here by the Long Island Improvement Company, under the comprehensive management of Austin Corbin, President of the Long Island Railroads. Architects, Wm. Field & Son, of New York. Contractor, John Lee, of 216 State street, Brooklyn. As an evidence of the faithfulness with which he has executed his trust we will state that in the whole course of the work nor the slightest dispute has arisen as to the manner of doing the work nor the quality of the materials furnished – all of which were to be first-class. The work was superintended by John Brophy, of 628 Baltic street, Brooklyn. The magnitude of the undertaking and the rapid progress made form a pretty good commentary on his skill in managing large enterprises. Thomas Donlan, of Brooklyn, was entrusted with the erection of the brickwork. The plumbing and gasfitting was done by Mead & Rossman, of 11 East 14th street, New York. A wilderness of piping has been put in without a defective joint. The plastered walls were put in by Gustavus Sanford, of 17th street, New York. Samuel Cornell, of 221 Court street, Brooklyn, furnished the hardware with such precision and promptness as not to have caused the least delay nor annoyance. The marble work, mantels, &c., were furnished by P.H. McGratty, of 250 & 282 Baltic street, Brooklyn. The work done is a credit to his skill in this direction, and we take pleasure in calling attention to it as a sample of his work. The stair-building is the work of Christopher Lee, of 351 Baltic street, Brooklyn. The designs are novel and elegant. The entire work of painting the hotel was done by H.P. Lugar, of 435 East Houston street, N.Y. The electric call bells, connecting every part of the establishment, and requiring some 250 separate wires, were put in by H.G. Runkel, of 21 East 15th street, N.Y.
The "Argyle” will be under the management of Mr. Colt, a man of ample experience and genial disposition, who has been long and favorably known to the hotel frequenting public. The success of the enterprise is already assured. The fare and service will be of the best, and prices fixed on a popular basis. We predict that the “Argyle” will become one of the most popular summer hotels on the Atlantic coast.
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| Advertisement, Brooklyn Daily Eagle, June 11, 1882 |
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Excerpt from “Summer
Homes on Long Island: a brief description of New York and Brooklyn’s nearest
Summer Resorts, with a list of desirable Boarding places and how to reach them
by the Long Island Rail Road,” published by the Traffic Department of the Long
Island Rail Road, 1898.
[i] South Side Signal, May 6, 1882, p.
2.
[ii] The hotel was built on property formerly
owned by Hannah M. Litchfield, and her husband Electus B. Litchfield. See Blog
post for more info on the Litchfields --