The Brunswick

The Brunswick
(from the Waterville Times dated February 11, 1875)

A New Hotel in Waterville
A Brief Description Thereof

Waterville, for many years past favored with (indecipherable) most pleasant, most wealthy, and most beautiful village of its size in the State, is now taking rank among the most enterprising. Improvements are rapidly springing up on all sides, and especially since the railroad has been laid through her limits---which act many argued would "kill" the village---has many important and pleasing improvements been made, mainly of a character which not alone benefits individuals, but the entire community as well. Churches, schools, business blocks, fine dwellings, a jail, engine house,
public halls, etc. , have sprung up , and today we are known abroad as the most prosperous of our numbers in Central New York. Our village will ever owe a debt of gratitude to those liberal and public spirited gentlemen who have brought about the result, and we are pleased to note that our citizens, on and all, without regard to creed or class, are daily evincing a more lively interest in the things pertaining to the advancement and welfare of our institutions, both public and private. The latest strode if enterprise that has manifested itself in our midst is the erection of

THE BRUNSWICK

By Messrs. P. S. Squier, M. L. Conger and F. B. Foote, gentlemen too well and favorably known by all our citizens to need an introduction. They recently conceived the idea that a boarding house or hotel for the accommodation, more especially, of those from our large cities, who, during the summer months, are pleased to spend more or less time in rural districts, would prove, if not a paying investment on the start, a decided benefit to the community, and to all residing within our borders. Possessing the most favorable site for such an establishment, they concluded to make the experiment. Those of our citizens who have acquainted themselves with the project so far as perfected have expressed themselves surprised at the completeness of the establishment provided for this purpose, but as comparatively few of our own people are aware of what has been accomplished, we purpose this week to give a brief description of the building, announce the intentions of its proprietors, and make a few practical suggestions which we hope will be favorably received by our readers. First,

THE LOCATION

of the "Brunswick"(such being the title bestowed upon the new hotel by its proprietors) is all that could be desired for an edifice of its description. It is as near the central portion of the village as a desirable site could be obtained, just opposite of and facing the park, and from all sides commands a splendid view of the hills and dales dotting the country for miles around. It is also healthy pleasant, and but a few moments walk from the depot, telegraph office, post-office, and business blocks, and therefore easily accessible.

THE EDIFICE

itself, although presenting a very modest appearance outwardly, is within, the most complete in all that pertains to the comfort and pleasure of its occupants, of any establishment of its kind within our knowledge. The dimensions of the upright are 66 x 35 feet, with a wing 26 x 30 feet; three stories high, with elevated ceilings, which are being handsomely frescoed by the master workman, P, D. Walcott of New Jersey, It has a piazza or balcony extending nearly around the building on both first and second floors, accessible from several points, which will prove a source of such pleasure to the guests of the house. The building comprises

THIRTY SEPARATE APARTMENTS

in all, not including several spacious halls, with bath rooms, and water privileges both hot and cold, extending throughout the entire house. Beginning at

THE BASEMENT

we find a splendid cellar kitchen, provided with a never failing well of water, a Warren range, and every convenience for the culinary department of a first class hotel. Two large Pearl furnaces are also here, placed in position by means of which the entire building can be rendered decidedly comfortable during the coldest of weather.

ON THE FIRST FLOOR

are two elegant front parlors, 18 x 27 feet each, designed for the use of guests at all times. There are also two complete suites of rooms, furnished with hot and cold water, bath rooms etc. The dining room, also on this floor, is large, airy, well lighted, and easy of access. The house throughout will be furnished in the most modern style in every particular.
The building is arranged for gas fixtures throughout, and as negotiations are now being carried on with the view of erecting gas works in our village, it is safe to conjecture that eventually every apartment will be

LIGHTED WITH GAS

Early in the Spring the new office, now occupied by Squier, Conger & Co. on Sanger street, will be moved on to the Brunswick site and a portion thereof fitted up as

A READING ROOM

for the accommodation of guests. Mr. Henry C. Ireland will be proprietor of the Brunswick, and we doubt not will give entire satisfaction to all its patrons. The house will be thrown open to the public on or about May 1st, and we expect to see every apartment occupied long before the season expires.

THE CARPENTER WORK

was performed under the immediate supervision of Mr. M. V. Woodcock, master builder, from plans and specifications furnished by A. R. Cady & Sons (indecipherable) great credit upon both architect sand builder.

THE MASON WORK

was performed by Messrs. Burgett & Taft, of our village, whose reputations as manipulators of the "trowel" is not surpassed at home or abroad.

PLUMBING

The plumbing, gas fitting and roofing was done by Messrs. Brown & Jones of our village, who spared no pains or expense to secure the best workmen the country afforded, and competent judges pronounce it as good job if not the best, that ever has come under their inspection.

A MISTAKEN IDEA

It has been intimated by some that this new enterprise will be likely to work a detriment to the other hotels of the place: but this is a mistaken idea, for taking other localities as a criterion, it will prove a help to every branch of business in the village, instead of a detriment to any. Some are not over sanguine as to the success of the enterprise, but is confidently asserted by those fully conversant with the working of such institutions, that a house in our beautiful village with treble the capacity of the "Brunswick" would not fail in being well supported, as parties who leave large cities during the heated term

FOR REST AND RECREATION

are becoming sensibly aware of the fact that their health or happiness is not enhanced by visiting the popular resorts known as watering places, where the crow, noise, and inconveniences are still greater that at home.

SUGGESTIONS

And now for the still further improvement of that portion of the village, we have a suggestion to make, which, if carried out, would greatly enhance the value of property in that locality, and add much to the appearance of Sanger, Madison and Brunswick streets. It is to remove the fence now surrounding the park, and lay out broad, tasty walks in various directions, that citizens of the village and guests of the Brunswick may have a pleasant and attractive promenade for evening or afternoon enjoyment. As the park now stands, no one ever thinks of visiting it; in fact, if the youth of our village are caught inside its fences in the summer season, they are driven therefrom, for fear they will trample down the grass. We say, remove the fences, lay out tasty walks, keep the trees will trimmed and the lawns mowed close, and this beautiful triangle will be used as a park instead as of private property. We have no doubt that Messrs. Squire, Conger & Co. would be willing to do the greater portion of the labor themselves, but in our opinion that the residents of Waterville should each and all do their share towards rendering this park attractive and useful, instead of desiring to keep it idle, as in the past. Let the question be agitated and have no doubt all will see the propriety of such actions. More anon

............

From the June 29, 1882 issue of The Waterville Times.

BRUNSWICK

Electromagnetic and Medical  Sanitarium,

Waterville New York .

The opening of this elegant sanitarium for the reception and treatment of patients, will take place July 15th ‘82 under the management of W. D. Hoffman, M. D., medical director and physician in charge, and Drs. J. D. and Mrs. T. S. Palmer, Electricians.

The medical and electrical departments are designed to be the most thorough and complete of any institution in the country, and will embrace magnetic and the celebrated electro therapeutic baths, of which these doctors are inventors and introducers. Also, Electro–thermal, medicated and chemical baths.  Electricity will be used in its manifold forms for the successfull treatment or cure of chronic disease,

In accordance with the improved French and Viennese methods by massage or otherwise, and applications made in a scientific and rational manner.

Medicines will be prescribed and furnished by the resident physician in all cases when indicated. For pure air, fine drives, elegant rooms, a cuisine supplied with the best the market affords, and other conveniences that conduce to a restoration of health and happiness, the Brunswick will excel.

For terms, including board and treatment, address doctors Hoffman and Palmer, Brunswick sanitarium, Waterville, Oneida County, New York rooms can be secured by telegraphic order."

The following is a letter sent to the blogger by Mr. David Sullivan, the current owner of the "Brunswick," on January 2, 2007. He asked me to post it as a "comment," but I think it's important enough to add to the upfront history of the building.

Thanks, Dave!


The Brunswick rehab by Dave Sullivan

I have been in contact with the previous owner for at least ten years. We discussed my interest in purchasing the property many times. Finally in September of 05 we made a deal. At this point the building was in terrible disrepair. Only two of the eight apartments were occupied. The roof was leaking through all the floors which made most apartments inhabitable. It is my opinion that two more years of neglect and the building would not have been worth saving due to water damage. On October 1st 05 the demo began. All eight apartment layouts are basically as there were. All apartments were totally rebuilt with new plumbing electric, heating, kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, windows etc. Each apartment has its own furnace and water heater with separate gas and electric meters for each apt. The foyer is preserved in its original condition with the open stairway, tin ceiling, and hardwood floor, gas chandelier converted to electric and original front door. Each apt. is modern décor the structure is very sound and should stand many more years. When we stripped the building of the plaster and lath I thought some old coins or something would be found/ however no luck, not one old artifact was found. The outside of the building was sided with asbestos siding that was removed and replaced with vinyl siding. Due to economics and safety reasons all windows were shortened to 5 feet in height, this took away from the original look of the building. The safety reason was that the windowsills were to low which made it easy for someone to fall out. So the sill had to be raised. The economic reason is heat loss with large windows. The tenants have to be able to afford to heat the apts. I would have preferred to do a more historical restoration however this would have pushed the cost of the project way over budget. The last apt. will be finished on 1-15-07 all apts. Are currently occupied. This was a nice project to undertake. I am very proud of the end results and my wife and I may move there some day. Any comments would be appreciated. Thank you Dave Sullivan