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St. Croix Courier, May 19, 1881The Argyll Hotel
Standing alone on an eminence at the foot of the town, near the railway station and steamboat landing, and commanding a magnificent view of the bay and its islands, of the town with its quaint and picturesque houses, of the inner harbour and navy island, of the St. Croix and the American shore, and of the mountains of Chamcook and Bocabec, this fine structure is one of the first objects on which the eye rests when approaching the town from any direction.
Our reporter had the pleasure of being shown through the building one evening last week by the genial and gentlemanly proprietor, Captain Herbert. On entering he found himself in the large and handsome hall, which is finished with hard pine floor, and tinted walls and at night, is illuminated by light from twelve lamps, supported on two elegant chandeliers. Off the hall are the office, gentleman's sitting room, coat and bath rooms, and two side halls, one leading to the commodious private apartments of Captain Herbert, the other to the kitchen and pantries. The dining room is also connected to the main hall by folding doors. We may safely say that his is one of the finest rooms of its kind in the Province.
It is 54 feet long by 44 feet wide, with a ceiling 24 feet high. It is finished with a floor of southern pine, black ash wainscoting, and tinted walls, which are ornamented with several fine works of art. From the ceiling depends two chandeliers, similar to those in the hall, while to the walls are affixed six brackets, each containing a lamp. In the rear of the dining room is a billiard room, which will be furnished with two tables. The kitchen is large and conveniently arranged. It contains three sinks, a force pump to supply water to the sinks, and to the bath rooms upstairs, and one of Walker, Pratt and Co., wrought iron French cooking ranges, which is heated by two fires and in which are a broiler, two large ovens, and a reservoir capable of holding 100 gallons of water. A door opens from the kitchen into a pantry, 16 by 28 feet, in which are placed a large stove, bins containing flour, sugar, etc., and closets and drawers for the crockery and glassware.
Passing again into the main hall, our reporter was ushered up a broad hall of southern pine, with banisters of black walnut and found himself on the second flat. Here are the ladies parlours, luxuriantly furnished, bath rooms and bed chambers. On the third flat are a number of large and neatly furnished rooms. In all there are 62 apartments ready for occupants, 39 of which have already been engaged. Orders for others are continually being received. Indeed, so encouraging has been the patronage accorded to Capt. Herbert that it has been decided to erect a south east wing immediately. three flag staffs have been erected on the roof, from which will float the flags of Great Britain, of Canada, and of the United States.