Page 187 - John Anderson
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The Alcazar
The Alcazar opened in December of 1888. The Alcazar was designed
to be a less formal hotel than the Ponce de Leon and slightly cheaper.
Originally it was the overflow hotel but finally its popularity was
greater than the Ponce de Leon. Besides the informality it contained
the casino, an entertainment center. The courtyard of the Alcazar
Hotel was used for businesses including Greenlief & Crosby, Jewelers.
It had its own band, informal dining room, and grand parlor. The pool
was 120-foot long and 50-foot wide and covered by a glass roof that
spanned 32 feet. The water from the artesian well drilled by Daniel
Dull of New York to a 12-inch diameter produced water at 7,000
gallons per minute and maintained a constant 86 degree
temperature. The hotel would advertise Russian and Turkish baths,
electric baths, cold plunge, tropical gardens, bowling, tennis courts,
café, concert rooms, music, and bicycling beyond the swimming of
the casino pool. One could also have alcohol, salt, or cologne rubs.
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