Ahwahnee_HSR_1.2011_pgs_116-134.pdf

ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCES GROUPPhysical Description

Histor ic Structures Report

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Th e materials in Room 116 currently are typical of the guest rooms on the fi rst through fi ft h fl oors. Th ese materials are detailed in the guest room description section.

Summary of Changes It is unknown when these offi ces were converted to guest room use.

Th e 1987 plans for conversion of the former Beauty Parlor space into a guest room indicate the current use of that space as the Manager’s Offi ce, which may indicate that the Manager’s Offi ce was relocated to the Beauty Parlor area aft er it closed in 1959.

In 2008, the bathroom in Room 116 was expanded into former closet and chase areas in order to make it accessible to those with disabilities. Other accessibility modifi cations at this time included replacing the entrance and bathroom doors and their hardware.

Manager’s Office and Secretary’s Office (Room 116)

Historic Description Historically, the Manager’s Offi ce was located off the fi rst fl oor corridor, adjacent to the Women’s Lounge, now the North Mezzanine Lounge. Th e associated Secretary’s Offi ce was adjacent to the Manager’s Offi ce, but it opened directly off the Women’s Lounge. Th e Secretary’s Offi ce was approximately 8 by 15 feet with a deep closet lined with shelved at the north end of the room. Th e Manager’s Offi ce was larger at 10 by 19 feet, and it featured two closets and a restroom.

On the original plans, the fl oors in both spaces are described as cement, similar to the adjacent Women’s Lounge but without a scored pattern. Th e walls and ceilings were plaster. One original door remains at the entrance from the Women’s Lounge; this door matched the other decoratively carved doors at the Women’s Lounge. A single-panel stile and rail closet door remains in use. No information is available about the other materials in these spaces.

Current Description At an unknown time, the offi ce areas were combined into one guest room, which is how it continues to be used today. Th e guest room is approximately 19 feet by 19 feet, with an ADA-compliant bathroom with an opening to it located on the east wall. Th e single-panel stile and rail closet door is the original closet door used when this space was an offi ce. It remains in its original location.

Figure 191: Detail of historical Underwood fl oor plan of Manager’s Offi ce and Secretary’s Offi ce, 1926. (Source: Yosemite Facilities Branch fi les)

Figure 192: Current fl oor plan of room 116, 2010. (Source: ARG) Figure 193: Overall view of room 116, 2010. (Source: ARG)

FIRST FLOOR / MEZZANINE

Physical DescriptionARCHITECTURAL RESOURCES GROUP

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First through Fifth Floor Elevator Lobbies and Corridors

Historically, the upper fl oor elevator lobbies and corridors were important as ancillary or supportive spaces for the overall hotel function, providing access by elevator or stair to the upper fl oors and circulation within each fl oor.

Historic Description Floor, Walls, and Ceiling Historical photographs indicate the original fl oor treatment throughout the hallways consisted of a multi-colored striped carpet in hues of yellow and dark blue. Wood baseboards were stained.

Walls and ceilings were originally integral colored plaster. Decorative painted stencils ran along the upper levels of all corridor walls.

At each elevator lobby decorative painted stencils surrounded the openings for the elevator doors and the door to the stair.

Openings and Doors Th e corridors were lined with guest room doors, typically solid wood and single-panel, with transoms above. At the elevator lobbies there was a set of two doors, one for the service elevator and one for the passenger elevator.

Lighting Wrought-iron suspended fi xtures were located at elevator lobbies and in the hallways. Fixtures were not uniform and diff ered slightly in style from fl oor to fl oor.

Special Features Th e building was originally equipped with a central vacuum system located in the Basement with outlets in the baseboards on the upper fl oor corridors and throughout the building.

Current Description Upper fl oor elevator lobbies and corridors continue to support the overall function of the hotel. Elevator lobbies and hallways retain original confi gurations.

Floor, Walls, and Ceiling Floor surfaces are carpeted with a patterned, cut-pile broadloom. Th e plaster walls of the hallways are painted and exhibit multiple layers of paint. Th e baseboard trim is painted dark brown. Original and new or modifi ed decorative painted fi nishes are found on all upper levels of all corridor walls on each fl oor and on beams.

Openings and Doors Most guest room doors lining the corridors remain in original locations and have painted transoms. Door to the service elevator is original. Th e doors to the passenger elevator are replacements.

Partially glazed, wood-framed doors with sidelights, a transom and panic hardware are located at the east end of the second and third fl oor hallways leading to original balconies as well as to the exit stair, which was built in 1964. Th e doors to the south exit stair (on the second through fourth fl oors) are hollow metal with metal frames.

Lighting Light fi xtures on these fl oors typically consist of replacement bowl-type suspended fi xtures with a decorative painted border. Two original historic fi xtures are now located by the south exit stair on the third and fourth fl oors.

Special Features Th e building’s original central vacuum system has been abandoned.

Vacuum outlets remain at the level of the hallway baseboard trim.

Wood access panels are located low on the walls and have been painted. Each fl oor retains an original wood-framed fi re hose cabinet that are now used for fi re extinguishers.

Summary of Changes Th ese spaces have been minimally modifi ed. Changes to fi nishes and fi xtures have occurred periodically over time. Carpets have been replaced. Most wall, ceiling, door and trim fi nishes have been painted.

Th e plaster walls of the hallways have been repainted frequently.

Stained wood fi nishes have been painted. Painted stencils at elevator doors have been changed. Many of the stencils have been reworked with new paint over the original. Decorative stencils around the doors leading to stairs have been removed. Some modifi cations have been made in the areas of the south wing and east wing exits: at the south wing, short hallways were added at each fl oor to provide access to the non-historic exit stair; at the east wing, exit doors were moved further into the building when the exit stair was modifi ed.

Light fi xtures have all been replaced. Although not in original locations, two historic fi xtures are located near the south exit stair on the third and fourth fl oors.

Figure 194: Historical overall view of the third fl oor elevator lobby, 1943.

(Source: Yosemite National Park Museum, 113947)

Figure 195: Overall view of third fl oor elevator lobby, 2009. (Source: ARG)

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January 2011 fi nish. Operable transoms over the entry doors were fi nished with a dark stain as were the door frames; each transom had a unique stencil at the center. Full-length, bevel-edged mirrors were mounted to interior communicating doors.

Lighting Each guest room was equipped with a single light, candle-type fi xture suspended from the center of the ceiling as the primary light source.

During the period of signifi cance, original fi xtures were uniformly modifi ed when candle-type lights were replaced with glass cups.

Special Features Bedrooms were equipped with recessed, squared wall cabinets with decorative doors, referred to by designer Phyllis Ackerman as Tyrolean cabinets.

Current Description Consistent with expectations of the hospitality building type, guest rooms have been modifi ed over time. However, in general, most guest rooms retain the original arrangement, proportions, circulation and confi gurations.

Floor, Walls, and Ceiling Th e fl oors are covered with carpet. Th e plaster walls and ceilings are generally painted. Bands of stencils remain at the top perimeter of guest room walls. Some stencil patterns have been repainted; others have been replicated across new walls and soffi ts.

Openings and Doors Th e wood doors, door frames, and trims are mostly original. Th e wood doors at the room entry and connection to adjacent rooms generally remain in original historic locations. Entry and connecting or communicating doors have raised panels added to them that reduce sound transmission between spaces. Some historic single-panel closet doors remain in use and many retain original knobs.

Full-length mirrors with a beveled edge are mounted inside original closet doors. In rooms where the closets were modifi ed, replacement

Guest Rooms in Main Building

Historic Description Like other grand hotels of the same era, the focus of Th e Ahwahnee interior was on the design and decoration of the public spaces.

Guest rooms were intended primarily for resting and dressing.

Other activities, gathering, socializing, and dining were meant to occur in public spaces. Even more solitary pursuits such as reading or writing could happen in public spaces. Accordingly, guest rooms off ered essential amenities and were furnished simply, practically and comfortably. Th e scope of Pope and Ackerman’s work extended to design schemes for the guest rooms.

Guest rooms were located on the second through sixth fl oors and on the east wing of the fi rst fl oor. Th e guest room fl oors were organized around spacious double-loaded corridors.

Ceiling heights were 9 feet 4 inches. Generally, each guest room was comprised of a narrow entry space, bedroom, bathroom, closet and at least one window which aff orded a view to the landscape. Some rooms were connected by an interior door. Original Underwood drawings illustrated guest room furniture layouts specifying the position of beds, dressers, and armchairs and writing desks angled at the corners.

Floor, Walls, and Ceiling Guest room fl oors were carpeted with a profi led wood baseboard.

Floors oft en had an additional covering or rug for decorative eff ect.

Walls and ceilings were of integrally colored plaster. Th e predominant palette for guest room walls varied and included mustard yellow, antique off -white, light-colored salmon and possibly other colors.

Bands of painted stencils at the top of the guest room walls encircled the perimeter. Stencils were used to accentuate door openings or as a decorative wall feature.

Openings and Doors Guest rooms had wood-framed casements in a tripartite arrangement. Doors were single panel, solid wood with a dark stained

Figure 196: Detail of historical Underwood drawing of guest room, 1926. (Source: Yosemite Facilities Branch fi les)

Figure 197: Historical overall view of guest room 210, c. 1930s. Note ceiling light fi xture at center of room and stencils around connecting door. (Source: Radanovich, Yosemite Valley, 91.)

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January 2011 closet doors are in a doubled confi guration and have mirrors mounted to the interior.

Lighting Th e pendant bowl-type fi xtures in the guest rooms are replacements.

Some rooms also have recessed can lights in the soffi ts over entries.

Special Features Stencils are painted on the wood transoms above the guest room doors. Some original “Tyrolean” cabinetry remains but has been modifi ed; cabinet doors that had decorative stencils have been painted. Newer built-in cabinets are located in modifi ed closets.

Summary of Changes As noted above, guest rooms have been remodeled and modifi ed at various times. Notable remodeling or refurbishment campaigns occurred in 1946 aft er the naval use of the building, in 1962 when guest room doors were modifi ed with panels for soundproofi ng and door hardware was refurbished, and 1976 when guest room windows were replaced. In 1988-90, the installation of a new HVAC system resulted in lowered soffi ts and the modifi cation of closets in 40 guest rooms. Painted gypsum board soffi ts have been added over many of the entry doors. Most fi nishes have been modifi ed with multiple paint layers.

Figure 200: Historical view of guest room during military use, c. 1943-45.

(Source: Th e Ahwahnee Yosemite’s Grand Hotel, 55.)

Figure 198: Historical overall view of guest room 501, c. 1930s. Note the “Tyrolean” cabinet at left and the stencil over the closet door. (Source:

Radanovich, Yosemite Valley, 92.)

Figure 201: Overall view of guest room 501, 2010.

(Source: ARG)

Figure 199: Historical overall view of guest room 330, 1943. (Source: Yosemite National Park Museum, 113940)

Figure 202: Overall view of typical guest room, 2010.

(Source: ARG)

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Guest Bathrooms in Main Building

Historic Description Like the guest rooms in Th e Ahwahnee, guest bathrooms were treated simply with practical fi ttings. Underwood drawings and historical photographs illustrated original bathroom layouts which consisted of a tub located parallel to the outside (hallway) wall, a toilet on the opposite wall, and a wall-mounted basin centered in between.

Floor, Walls, and Ceiling Floors in the bathrooms were tiled with individual 1x1 square tiles set in decorative patterns of contrasting colors. Th e walls were plaster above a tiled wainscot with a wood accent trim. Bathroom walls and ceilings were integrally colored plaster. Samples have revealed that the color palette of the plaster walls and ceilings in some bathrooms, specifi cally in the bathrooms in rooms 326 and 401, was deep yellow. Bathroom ceilings had ventilation grilles.

Openings and Doors Each bathroom had one door opening from the bedroom. Doors were single panel, solid wood with a metal grille at the lower portion.

Lighting Original single-bulb fi xtures were mounted over the medicine cabinets and sinks.

Special Features Recessed medicine cabinets with mirrored wood doors were located above the wash basin.

Current Description Although the layout and form of guest bathrooms has not been signifi cantly altered, the fi nishes have been replaced or modifi ed.

Floor, Walls, and Ceiling Bathroom fl oors and wainscots are tiled with replacement 1x1 mosaic tiles;

fl oors have decorative geometric patterns and contrasting color tile at the perimeter. Wainscots are tiled with a decorative band in contrasting color.

Th e upper portions of the walls are plaster and have painted fi nishes. In the

Figure 203: Historical view of a typical guest bathroom, c. 1930s.

(Source: Radanovich, Yosemite Valley, 93.)

Figure 204: Detail of historical Underwood drawing of guest room bathroom, 1926. (Source: Yosemite Facilities Branch fi les) area of bathtubs and showers, the walls are tiled to the ceiling height. Above the sinks, vinyl covered panels are mounted over the plaster fi nish. Most ceilings are dropped gypsum board with wood panels that allow access to mechanical units. Th e few remaining plaster ceilings are painted.

Openings and Doors Each bathroom has one door opening from the bedroom. Doors are single panel, solid wood.

Lighting Bathroom light fi xtures are replacements.

Summary of Changes Although the layout and form of the rooms have not been signifi cantly altered, the fi nishes in the rooms have been replaced. Bathrooms do not retain the original fi xtures. Original tilework has been replaced. Most fi nishes have been modifi ed with multiple paint layers.

In 2008 the remodeling of guest rooms 116, 346, 421, and 607 included improvements to provide accessibility to bathrooms.

Figure 205: View of typical guest bathroom, 2010. (Source: ARG)

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Second and Third Floor Parlors (Rooms 234 and 334)

Historic Description Th e orientation of the second and third fl oor suites at the south end of the south wing allowed for optimal sun exposure and prime views.

Both parlors were semi-circular in plan, connecting to two guest rooms with vestibules. Historically, the parlors were used as sitting or living rooms. Th e historic character of the parlors was light, airy and spacious.

Floor, Walls, and Ceiling Th e fl ooring was carpeted. Walls and ceilings and ceiling beams were of integrally colored plaster. Th e Second and Th ird Floor Parlors had a wood wainscot with a geometric decorative cutout pattern below the windows consistent with the hotel’s overall motif and wide baseboards.

Openings and Doors Windows were wood-framed casements. Doors were single panel, solid wood with a stained fi nish.

Lighting Th e parlors had wrought-iron chandeliers. Th e second fl oor vestibules had tin two-candle wall sconces while the third fl oor vestibules had wrought-iron one-candle wall sconces.

Special Features Th e parlor fi replaces were centered on the north wall. Underwood drawings illustrate Second and Th ird Floor Parlor fi replaces in a rustic style with granite surrounds that were more simply constructed than designed. Th e parlors had cast-iron radiators. Th e second fl oor suite had access to a private balcony.

Current Description Despite changes, the two sitting rooms retain historic character and are used as they were historically as suites connected to guest bedrooms.

Floor, Walls, and Ceiling Th e fl oors are covered with carpet. Th e plaster walls and ceilings are painted. Th e wood wainscots in the parlors are painted. Th e third fl oor bedrooms have stencils similar to other guest rooms. Stencils in the second fl oor rooms are non-historic.

Openings and Doors Windows are replacements. Th e wood doors, door frames, and trims are original and remain in original historic locations.

Lighting Th e sitting rooms retain their original historic chandeliers. Light fi xtures in the bedrooms and bathrooms are non-historic and consistent with other guest rooms.

Special Features Th e Second Floor Parlor fi replace has a brick hearth, brick and wood surround and wood mantel. Th e wood elements are painted white. A wrought-iron grille with a pair of doors rests in front of the fi replace.

Th e Th ird Floor Parlor fi replace has a brick hearth with a large half-round wood edging. Th e fi rebox is of brick, laid in a chevron pattern.

Th is fi replace does not have a surround, but has a decorative metal grille. Mounted above the fi replace, a large wood shelf spans the wall.

Figure 206: Historical overall view of Second Floor Parlor, looking southwest, c. 1940.

(Source: Yosemite National Park Museum, 121 M 822)

Figure 207: Historical overall view of Th ird Floor Parlor, looking southeast, 1943. (Source: Yosemite National Park Museum, 113980)

SECOND FLOOR

Summary of Changes Similar to all hotel guest rooms, the parlors have been remodeled and modifi ed at various times but signifi cant changes have been minimal.

As at all other guest rooms, the windows are replacements. Finishes have been painted. Th e fi replaces have been modifi ed with the addition of the grilles.

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Sixth Floor

Historic Description Th e sixth fl oor had two distinct and dissimilar uses during the period of signifi cance: as a space used for entertaining and, later, as a private apartment. Designed as a public space for special events, the sixth fl oor was comprised of the spacious L-shaped main room, two covered balconies, and back-of-house service areas. Passenger and service elevators and the main stair rose to the sixth fl oor. Th ough referred to as a roof garden on the Underwood drawings, the main spaces were not open-air as the term “roof garden” implies. Instead the sixth fl oor was always sheltered by a roof and enclosed with walls and windows. Th e covered balcony on the east was open-air and enclosed with wood railings. Unlike log railings at other balconies, this railing was constructed of more highly fi nished wood members.

A second covered balcony, narrower in width, had a shed roof and was enclosed with walls and casement windows. Th is balcony spanned most of the north side. An open balcony with concrete balustrade was located on the Elevator Penthouse above, which was accessed by a steep metal stair at the covered balcony.

Th e sixth fl oor was converted to an apartment for Don and Mary Curry Tresidder shortly aft er the hotel was inaugurated. For over 40 years, it served as the Tresidder’s private residence until the death of Mary Curry Tresidder in 1971 when it was converted into guest accommodations.

SIXTH FLOOR

Figure 208: Historical view showing birthday celebration for Stephen Mather at the sixth fl oor covered balcony, July 1928. Note ladder to Elevator Penthouse balcony above at left of image. (Source: Sargent, Th e Ahwahnee: Yosemite’s Classic Hotel, 23.)

Figure 209: Interior overall view of room 603, originally the covered balcony, 2010. Direction is generally the same as photograph above. (Source: ARG)

Floor, Walls, and Ceiling Th e sixth fl oor was originally fi tted with hardwood fl oors for the main space and concrete fl oors in other areas, including the balconies. Walls, sloped ceiling, and ceiling beams in the main space were rough textured plaster. Underwood drawings indicate that the entire perimeter of the main space was designed to have a wood-paneled wainscot with a geometric decorative cutout pattern similar to the material at guest rooms 234 and 334 as well as the Registration Lobby.

Centered on the south wall and fl anked on each side by three casement windows was the fi replace. It was designed to be the focal point of the room and it was located directly opposite the entrance.

Th e service spaces, a pantry and small service kitchen, were clustered at the northeast corner of the fl oor. On the east wall of the main space was located a vertical wood plank service door with vision light, which was similar to those in the Elevator Lobby, and it led to the service area. Another door of vertically oriented planks with overscaled strap hinges was located at the east wall and it led to the large covered balcony.

Openings and Doors As the main point of entry, the north wall of the main room had two openings for the elevator doors on the east, doors to the service hallway and main stair at the center, and a large squared opening leading to the northwest corner of the room and the enclosed balcony beyond. Th e central doors were vertical plank doors with overscaled strap hinges.

Window openings in the main space included the three openings on either side of the fi replace on the south wall, three openings on the east wall, and eleven openings on the west wall. Th roughout the main space, all windows were glazed casements with leaded cames in a chevron pattern. Th e operable transoms above were similarly glazed and leaded.

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Information on the conversion of the space to the Tresidder apartment, its design, layout and materials, is limited. Partition gypsum board walls and dropped ceilings were introduced to create living spaces including a bedroom, living room, and wood paneled Library at the southwest corner. Th e covered balcony was converted to the Sun Porch requiring the infi ll of the exterior wall openings a window wall of operable glazed panels. Th e northern balcony was converted to a bathroom. Th e service hallway north of the elevators became a small kitchen for the apartment. It remains unclear if all spaces on the sixth fl oor were dedicated to the Tresidder apartment.

Lighting No information has been found regarding the light fi xtures associated with the original public use. During the Tresidder period of use, two brass chandeliers were located in the Library, and it is assumed that other lighting was located elsewhere although information is not available to substantiate this.

Special Features Th e Underwood drawings feature a large-scale granite fi replace with an overscaled granite keystone, rustic in style, designed for use in the roof garden. Th e fi replace was not constructed as drawn. Instead, the fi replace was built with a simple cast-stone surround, a brick fi rebox and hearth, and cast-stone hearth extension.

Underwood drawings also noted a metal staircase which led from the covered balcony on the east to a fl at balcony above it, south of the Elevator Penthouse. Th is metal, ladder-type stair is visible in a historical photograph.

Current Description Th e sixth fl oor is now comprised of an elevator lobby, corridor, and guestrooms 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, and 607. Th e original service kitchen contains television equipment (CATV). Th e 1970s conversion to guest accommodations required the introduction of new materials, fi xtures, and fi nishes for function.

Floor, Walls, and Ceiling Th e fl oors are carpeted throughout except at the elevator lobby, CATV room, and the bathrooms. Th e elevator lobby has slate tiles.

Bathroom fl oors are tiled. Th e CATV room fl oor is covered with vinyl composition tiles. Th e Sun Porch has slate tile accents at the perimeter with carpet tile in the center.

Exterior walls and remaining original interior walls are plaster. Most other interior walls are painted gypsum board. In room 602, the Library, walls are wood paneled with built-in bookcases on either side of the entrance door. Th e west and south walls of room 603, originally the covered balcony, is a wood-framed screened wall and a window wall of operable glazed panels.

Th e ceilings in the guest rooms have been lowered and are painted gypsum board. Th e CATV room and the bathroom in room 605 have suspended lay-in ceilings.

Openings and Doors Doors to guest rooms are generally solid wood, vertical plank doors with the exception of the wood double doors to room 602. Th e wood paneled door between the elevator lobby and the corridor leads to Rooms 602, 604, and 605. Th is door has a narrow operable panel south of the door within the same opening. Some doors retain original fi nger plates and knobs. Other entry and closet doors were installed aft er the period of signifi cance.

Th e existing historic leaded and glazed casements and transoms remain in their original historic locations. A limited number of replacement windows in a variety of types have been installed.

Lighting Most light fi xtures were installed aft er the period of signifi cance with the exception of the two historic brass chandeliers mounted below circular mechanical grilles in room 602. Recessed fl uorescent fi xtures are located in the bathroom in room 605 and the CATV room.

Special Features Located in room 602 at the center of a wood paneled wall, the original fi replace is a squared opening with an enriched cast-stone surround. It does not have a mantel. It does not signifi cantly project beyond the wall plane which has been covered in wood paneling.

Summary of Changes Th e service elevator originally opened on two sides to service spaces on the north and directly into the main space on the south.

Th e cantilevered steel balcony at the northwest corner, accessible from room 605, was added aft er the period of signifi cance.

Th e sixth fl oor interiors were remodeled on multiple occasions including in 1943, 1946, and 1970 when the space was used as the private Tresidder apartment. Th e sixth fl oor has been used for guest rooms since 1971. Th e sixth fl oor interior was again refurbished in 1996 and new projects for it are planned. As may be expected for guest room spaces, the fi nishes have been consistently modifi ed. Th e installation of new mechanical systems required lowered soffi ts. A limited number of replacement windows have been installed but all historic leaded windows remain. Baseboards, door frames, window trims and trim moldings vary throughout the sixth fl oor. Hardware is a mix of historic and non-historic.

Figure 210: Detail view of wainscot in Registration Lobby, 2010. Original interior elevations show the perimeter of the sixth fl oor main space paneled with a decorative wood wainscot similar to the wainscot in the Registration Lobby. (Source: ARG)

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Figure 211: Historical overall view of sixth fl oor Library while used as a private residence, date unknown. (Source: Yosemite National Park Archives, Slide Collection, photographer unknown)

Figure 215: Overall view of sixth fl oor Library showing the recently uncovered original wood fl oor, 2010. (Source: ARG)

Figure 213: Detail view of original plaster ceiling remaining above the existing ceiling on the sixth fl oor, 2010. Note the textured plaster and color diff erentiation between the fl at surfaces and the plaster faux beams. (Source: ARG)

Figure 216: Exterior view of leaded windows at room 607 (lower left ) and south wall of room 603 (at right), originally the open-air covered balcony, 2009. Note prominent raft er ends. (Source: ARG)

Figure 214: Overall view of sixth fl oor Library, room 602, originally part of the main dance fl oor space, 2009. Note original design for the south wall fi replace on the following page. (Source: ARG)

Figure 212: Historical view of the Tresidder apartment, now room 605, 1943.

(Source: Yosemite National Park Museum, 113955)

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Figure 217: Historical Underwood elevation of the sixth fl oor roof garden, a public space, looking south, 1926. Note wainscot and the style, scale, and materials of fi replace. (Source: Yosemite Facilities Branch fi les)

Figure 218: Detail of historical Underwood fl oor plan of sixth fl oor, 1926. (Source: Yosemite Facilities Branch fi les)

Figure 219: Current fl oor plan of sixth fl oor, 2010. (Source: ARG)

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Storage Areas

Historic Description Large storage areas were located near the core of the building on the second, third, and fourth fl oors of the hotel. Smaller storage areas were located on the second and fi ft h fl oors. Storage areas were also built in the central portion of the attic spaces on the third fl oor of the east wing and the fi ft h fl oor of the south wing.

Th e fl oors of these rooms were concrete, and the fl oors and ceilings were plaster. Each room had a wood stile and rail entry door, usually with a metal grille in the bottom rail, similar to the typical bathroom doors in the guest rooms.

Current Description All of the storage areas are still serving their original historic use.

Floor, Walls, and Ceiling Th e fl oors are the original concrete, and they are usually painted. Th e walls are painted plaster with wood base trim. Th e ceiling is typically painted historic plaster, although many of the large storage rooms have soffi ts constructed of other non-historic materials.

Openings and Doors Th e historic wood stile and rail entry door is still extant at all of the storage rooms. Th e exterior of the doors are painted to match the guest room doors, but the closet-facing sides oft en reveal the original monochromatic stained and varnished fi nish.

Lighting Th e light fi xtures in these areas remain utilitarian in nature. Most of the fi xtures in the larger storage spaces have been replaced with fl uorescent strip fi xtures.

Figure 220: Detail of historical Underwood fl oor plan of storage areas and linen closets on second fl oor, 1926. (Source: Yosemite Facilities Branch fi les)

Figure 221: Overall view of storage area on second fl oor, 2010. (Source: ARG) Figure 222: Detail view of door to storage area, 2010. Note original stain. (Source: ARG)

Summary of Changes Modifi cations made to the large storage rooms have been made over time, typically to allow for changes being made in the adjacent guest rooms. In 1989, mechanical units were installed in these rooms to serve the guest rooms located to either side of them. In 2008, one of the large storage rooms on the third fl oor was reduced in size in order to construct an ADA-compliant bathroom for Room 346. Added piping also runs through most of the storage rooms, both large and small. Th is piping was likely installed as part of the utility upgrade campaigns in 1984 or 1989.

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Maids and Janitors Closets (Linen Closets)

Historic Description Maids and janitors closets were centrally located adjacent to the elevator lobby on the fi rst through fi ft h fl oors.

Th e fl oors of these rooms were concrete, and the fl oors and ceilings were plaster. Each space had a wood stile and rail entry door with a metal grille in the bottom rail, similar to the typical bathroom doors in the guest rooms. Both the janitors and maids closets had ceramic service sinks.

Current Description Th e maid and janitor closets are both used by the Housekeeping staff as linen closets now. Similar to the storage areas, the historic materials in these closets are extant. A few of the closets now have dropped acoustical ceilings. Th e historic wood stile and rail entry door also remain at all of the linen closets, and the original monochromatic stained and varnished fi nish is visible on the closet-facing side of some doors. Th e utilitarian light fi xtures remain but now have safety cages installed around them. Th e original service sinks remain in the closets.

Summary of Changes Like the storage rooms, added piping runs through many of the linen closets. Th is piping was likely installed as part of the utility upgrade campaigns in 1984 or 1989. Th e safety cages at the light fi xtures were added at an unknown date.

Figure 223: Overall view of linen closet and original door, 2010. (Source: ARG)

Figure 225: Detail view of sink in janitor closet, 2010. (Source: ARG)

Figure 224: Overall view of janitor closet, 2010. (Source: ARG)

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Service Hallways

Historic Description Th e service hallways are located adjacent to the elevators on each fl oor and along the north side of the central core of the ground and fi rst fl oors. Th ese include the service elevator lobby north of the service elevator on each fl oor, and the passage between the service elevator lobby and the public elevator lobby on each fl oor.

Floor, Walls, and Ceiling Th e fl oors were painted concrete with integral concrete bases in most areas. Th e walls and ceiling were also historic plaster. According to the Underwood drawings, the passage running north-south from the service elevator lobby to the public elevator lobby was open to the main stair. A pipe railing separated the passage from the stairs.

Openings and Doors According to the Underwood drawings, doors were located between the public elevator lobby and the main stair, between the main stair and the service elevator lobby, and at the closet at the east end of the service elevator lobby. Th e closet doors were wood stile and rail, similar to those at the guest rooms. It is likely that the other doors were similar.

Current Description Th e service hallways remain largely in their original confi guration.

Like the storage areas and linen closets, much of the historic materials in these hallways remain. Wood crash rails, which may be original, are located on the walls. Walls replaced the pipe railing at the east edge of the main stair, and hollow metal doors were added to enclose the stair. Th e historic doors at the closets remain, but hollow metal doors have replaced the original doors between the service elevator lobby and the now-enclosed hall along the main stair. Th e doors at the public elevator lobby have also been replaced. Th e service elevator lobbies are lit by historic utilitarian light fi xtures with ceramic bases and base bulbs, but more recent fl uorescent fi xtures are located in other service hallways.

Summary of Changes In 1964, full-height walls were added along the east edge of the stair where originally there were only pipe railings. At the same time, the locations of the doors to the public elevator lobbies were shift ed east to align with the new enclosed hallways on the second through fi ft h fl oors. At an unknown date, the light fi xtures in many of the service hallway were replaced with fl uorescent fi xtures.

Figure 227: Overall view of service elevator lobby, 2010. (Source: ARG)

Figure 226: Overall view of service hallway on fi rst fl oor, 2010. (Source: ARG)

Figure 228: Overall view of service hallway, 2010. (Source: ARG)

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January 2011

Housekeeping Spaces

Historic Description Th e center of the Housekeeping department was located on the fi rst fl oor and accessed through a service hall that led east from the elevator. Th e rooms associated with Housekeeping included the Soiled Linen Room, where used linen arrived from upper fl oors via the laundry chute; the Housekeeper’s Offi ce; and the Linen Room.

Floor, Walls, and Ceiling Th e fl oors in these areas were painted concrete with an integral concrete base. Th e walls and ceilings were plaster.

Openings and Doors Th e Housekeeping spaces each had a single entry door, although the specifi c details of the doors is unknown (the door to Housekeeper’s Offi ce is the only one that might be original). Th e Housekeeper’s Offi ce also had a transom window above the door and wood multi-light window sash and transoms in the north and east walls. Th e windows in the east wall of the Housekeeper’s Offi ce were in a wall shared with the Linen Room. Th e Linen Room also featured a wood multi-light window sash in the west wall, next to the entry door.

Lighting Th e lighting in the Soiled Linen Room was a simple ceramic base with bare bulb, and the lighting in the other rooms was likely to have been similar.

FIRST FLOOR / MEZZANINE Current Description Th e current Housekeeping spaces include the following current uses: the Laundry Room (designated the Soiled Linen Room on the Underwood drawings), the Housekeeping Offi ce, and the Linen Room. Th e confi guration of these rooms remains the same as originally designed.

Floor, Walls, and Ceiling Th e fl oor in the Laundry Room remains painted concrete. Th e fl oor of the Housekeeping Offi ce is covered in carpet, and the majority of the Linen Room has been covered in linoleum sheet. Th e historic wall and ceiling materials are extant in all rooms, except as noted below.

Openings and Doors Th e original entry to the Laundry Room has been enlarged and the door has been removed. Th e Housekeeping Offi ce retains the historic door and windows, and the Linen Room still has the historic windows. Th e door at the Linen Room had been replaced with a fl ush wood door. Th is was previously a Dutch door that has since been fi xed in place with an unfi nished plywood panel.

Lighting Th e original ceramic base fi xture remains in the Laundry Room, but the light fi xtures have been replaced in both the Housekeeping Offi ce and the Linen Room. Th e Housekeeping Offi ce fi xture is a combination ceiling fan and light fi xture; the Linen Room is lit with fl uorescent strip fi xtures.

Summary of Changes Most of the historic building fabric remains in the Housekeeping spaces. At an unknown date, the entry door to the Laundry Room was removed, and a large opening was made in the north wall. Also, light fi xtures were replaced in both the Housekeeping Offi ce and the Linen Room at some point.

Figure 229: Detail of historical Underwood fl oor plan of Housekeeping areas, 1926. (Source: Yosemite Facilities Branch fi les)

Figure 230: View into Linen Room with the Housekeeping Offi ce to the left , 2010. (Source: ARG)

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January 2011

Employee Locker Rooms

Historic Description Th e Men’s and Women’s Locker Rooms were located on the fi rst fl oor above the Gift Shop. Separate sets of concrete stairs at the loading dock led to the Men’s and Women’s Locker Rooms. Th e Men’s Locker Room was located at the north end of the Gift Shop wing. Th e Locker Room was a large room of 30 by 24 feet with a smaller toilet and shower room enclosed in the northwest corner of the space.

Occupying the south end of the wing, the Women’s Locker Room was comprised of several rooms. A hallway extended north from the top of the staircase. On the west side of the hallway was the toilet room of 13 by 15 feet, which included two small rooms with bathtubs. On the east side of the hallway was a similarly sized room designated as a rest room on the Underwood drawings. Th e largest space was the Locker Room itself, which measured 30 by 15 feet.

Th e Underwood drawings provide the only information about the historic confi guration, use, and materials of these spaces. According to the drawings, the fl oors in these areas were concrete with an integral concrete base. Th e walls and ceilings were plaster.

Current Description Th e Men’s Locker Room appears to be used as originally designed.

Portions of the Women’s Locker Room retain their historic use, including the toilet and bath rooms, and the east half of the Locker

Figure 231: Detail of historical Underwood fl oor plan of employee Locker Rooms, 1926. (Source: Yosemite Facilities Branch fi les)

FIRST FLOOR / MEZZANINE Room. Th e west half of the Locker Room has been converted to offi ce space, and the restroom is now used for storage for the Gift Shop.

Floor, Walls, and Ceiling Th e historic fl oors, walls and ceiling materials are extant. Th e walls in the men’s and women’s toilet rooms have been covered with fi ber reinforced plastic (FRP) panels.

Doors and Openings Th e historic openings in these areas remain, but the door to the Women’s Locker Room has been replaced with a fl ush wood door. Th e other doors are wood stile and rail doors with a single recessed panel. Th e doors at the two bath rooms have been trimmed approximately 3 inches at the top and bottom, presumably for additional ventilation.

Light Fixtures Th e light fi xtures throughout the both Locker Rooms are utilitarian fl uorescent strip fi xtures.

Special Features Located behind shelving on the east wall, the window in the storage room for the Gift Shop is rare in that it appears to retain all of its original hardware and stained fi nish. Th e toilet partitions in both the Men’s and Women’s Locker Room are painted metal and may be original. Although many are replacements, the toilet, lavatory, and bathtub fi xtures remain in their historic locations.

Summary of Changes At an unknown date, a partition wall was added in the middle of the Women’s Locker Room in order to create two separate spaces.

At some point, the windows in the Women’s Locker Room were fi lled in with wood panels and one of the shower stalls in the Men’s Locker Room was closed off with a wood panel and surface-mounted shelving. In addition, many of the Locker Room plumbing and lighting fi xtures have been replaced.

Figure 232: Overall view of Men’s Locker Room, 2010. (Source: ARG)

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January 2011

Figure 233: Historical view of Boiler Room, date unknown. (Source: Yosemite National Park Research Library, RL 4451)

Basement

Historic Description Th e below-grade level of Th e Ahwahnee was divided into two primary spaces, the Boiler Room and a room simply called Basement on the Underwood drawings. A long fl ight of stairs from the ground-level service hallway provided access to the northeast corner of the below-grade level. Another fl ight of stairs at the southeast corner descended from the storage area of the Sweet Shop. A small room, now the Electrical Room, opened from the wall below this stair.

Also at the southeast corner of the Basement, a short fl ight of stairs led down to the Boiler Room, which was approximately 5 feet lower in elevation than the Basement. Th e Boiler Room was a large rectangular room with a small window well that extended under the loading dock and had a sloped fl oor. Opening from the northwest corner of the Boiler Room, a narrow storage room ran behind the elevator shaft s.

Floor, Walls, and Ceiling Th e fl oors in the below-grade level of building were unpainted concrete. Th e walls and ceilings were board-formed concrete, some of which were also plastered.

Openings and Doors Th e door from the Basement Room to the current Electrical room was a metal clad door. Th e door from the Boiler Room to the storage area north of the elevators was a wood stile and rail door with a single panel, similar to the guest room entry door.

Lighting Th e lighting in the below-grade level was limited to bare bulbs attached to surface-mounted junction boxes and conduit.

Special Features A dumbwaiter shaft was located adjacent to the stairs to the Sweet Shop storage area. Th ere were two openings to access the dumbwaiter itself, one at the below-grade level and one at the top of the stairs.

Each opening had a metal door that slid up into the wall. Th e original wood-framed dumbwaiter was supplied by Whitco, the Vincent Whitney Company in San Francisco.

Current Description Much of the below-grade level remains in the same confi guration and use as it was historically.

Floor, Walls, and Ceiling Th e fl oors are unpainted concrete. Th e original walls are board-formed concrete, and the additional interior walls are gypsum block.

Most of the wall materials are unfi nished, but a few of the walls are plastered. Some of the walls also have a painted monochromatic wainscot. Th e ceilings are painted board-formed concrete.

Openings and Doors Most of the doors are wood stile and rail doors with metal cladding.

Th e door from the Boiler Room to the storage hall north of the elevators is wood stile and rail door that may be original. Th e door at the entry from the loading dock is a hollow metal door with a glazed panel.

Lighting Th e lighting in the below-grade level is a combination of bare bulbs in ceramic fi xtures and suspended fl uorescent 1x4 fi xtures.

Special Features Historic painted signage remains on the walls surfaces above the stair from the ground fl oor and above the door from the Basement to the Boiler Room.

Although now fi lled with piping, the dumbwaiter shaft remains in place, and the dumbwaiter is visible at the below-grade level. Th e dumbwaiter access doors are also extant.

Summary of Changes At an unknown date, the southeast corner was enclosed with unfi nished gypsum block walls to create a separate storage area. Figure 234: Overall view of Basement, 2010. (Source: ARG)

When the boilers were replaced as part of the mechanical upgrades in the mid 1980s, the window at the alcove north of the Boiler Room was removed and in order to allow the original boilers to be removed.

Access at this area from the Service Yard has been maintained, including a short fl ight of concrete steps from the yard followed by a metal-framed stair installed over the sloped surface. In addition, the ceiling has been largely obscured over time by a variety of piping and conduit, much of which dates from the mechanical upgrades in the 1980s.

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January 2011

Elevator Penthouse

Historic Description Th e Elevator Penthouse was a small rectangular room above the sixth fl oor of the building. It served to support the two elevators in the building and to allow access to the service balcony to the south.

Th e fl oor and walls were concrete, and it is likely that the ceiling was concrete as well. According to the Underwood drawings, there were grouped windows on the north, west, and south walls. Th e room was accessed by a metal fi re escape ladder from the service hallway on the sixth fl oor.

Current Description Th e Elevator Penthouse continues to serve its historic function and retains its historic confi guration. Th e Elevator Penthouse is currently accessed by a steep, metal replacement stair from the service area behind the elevators on the sixth fl oor, the same location as the original stair.

Floor, Walls, and Ceiling Th e original concrete fl oor is exposed throughout most of the room. It is currently painted. In the northeast corner of the room, painted wood fi ber board fl ooring has been installed over the concrete. Th is material may be the fl ooring surface called out as a “Traffi ctop” wearing surface in the drawings detailing the acoustical improvements to the Elevator Penthouse in 1939. Th e walls and sloped ceiling is clad in Acoustex planks, which are also painted. Steel framing is exposed at the ceiling.

Openings and Doors Th e entry to the Elevator Penthouse is a hinged wood panel in the fl oor, which is secured with a padlock. Th e original windows have been fi lled in with wood panels. One of the openings has a hinged wood panel access door and wood screen that allows access to the adjacent roof surface at the exterior. Some other panels are currently used for exhaust ducts, one of which serves as access to the balcony to the south.

Special Features Th e original cast iron hoistway equipment for operation of the passenger and service elevators remains in working order and is located in the Elevator Penthouse.

Summary of Changes In 1939, acoustical improvements were installed, including the addition of Acoustex panels to the walls and sloped ceiling surfaces and Traffi ctop wearing surface on the fl oor. Also at this time, many of the window openings were fi lled in with wood panels. One of the openings has a hinged wood panel access door and wood screen that allows access to the adjacent roof surface at the exterior. Some other panels are currently used for exhaust ducts.

Figure 235: Detail of historical Underwood fl oor plan of Elevator Penthouse, 1926. (Source: Yosemite Facilities Branch fi les)

Figure 236: Overall view of Elevator Penthouse, 2010. (Source: ARG) Figure 237: Detail view of steel framing at ceiling, 2010. (Source: ARG)

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January 2011

Maintenance Shops

Historic Description Th e Maintenance Shops are not shown on the Underwood drawings.

Th e exact construction date is unknown. However, the four northernmost bays date to the period of signifi cance as is apparent on a June 1943 plan produced by the U.S. Navy. Located at the northeast corner of the Service Yard, this ancillary structure is formed by a series of connected wood-framed, shed roof structures, which were originally open bays attached to the historic west wall of the covered entrance walkway. Th e open bays were oriented to the Service Yard at the east. Th e north end of the structure abuts the historic, original Valet Offi ce and drivers’ rooms. Some framing, posts and decoratively carved corbels appear to be historic materials and suggest that the construction date may be within the period of signifi cance.

Current Description Overall, the construction is ad hoc in feeling with irregular infi ll appearing to have occurred within the bays over time. Th e types of activities that occur in these spaces include general maintenance, such as plumbing, painting, potting and replanting.

Floor, Walls and…