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Southern Hotel at Newhall.

Los Angeles Herald | October 24, 1888.

San Fernando, October 23. — Fire destroyed the Southern Hotel and an adjoining livery stable at Newhall this morning. One-third of the furniture was saved, together with nearly all the baggage of the guests. The building was of frame, was built in 1879 by Newhall Bros., and has since been conducted as a summer hotel. During the conflagration several adjacent buildings, including the railroad depot, caught fire, but were saved by the fire department of the Pacific Coast Oil Company. There were twenty-five guests at the hotel. The building and its contents are insured for about half their value. The day was calm or otherwise the entire town would have been endangered.

News story courtesy of Lauren Parker.

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Swept All Before It.

A Fierce Fire Breaks Out at Newhall.

Los Angeles Herald | October 24, 1888.

At 8:15 o'clock yesterday morning the residents of Newhall were summoned to the main thoroughfares by the cry of "Fire," as smoke was seen issuing from the rear of the Southern Hotel. Before anything could be done to arrest the conflagration a blaze burst forth, and in a few minutes it was evident that the building was doomed. The guests of the establishment hurriedly removed what few valuables they could gather together, but they did not have much time at their disposal, as the building was a frame one and burned like tinder. The fire raged furiously, and attacked the livery stable at the rear of the hotel, which soon disappeared under the fierce heat of the flames. It was feared at one time that the whole town might be swept out of existence, and the Southern Pacific officials aided by all the strength of the community worked like Trojans to secure the safety of the company's freight house and Newhall's merchandise store, both of which were angularly opposite the burning buildings. Their efforts proved successful, and by 9 o'clock all apprehensions were quieted. The hotel and livery stable were reduced to a mass of ruins, and Mr. Byron R. Boynton, the proprietor of the establishment, estimates the loss at about $30,000, on which there is doubtless insurance. A defective flue is believed to have been the cause of the fire.

News story courtesy of Lauren Parker.

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[Brief.].

Santa Cruz Sentinel | October 24, 1888.

San Fernando, Cal., Oct. 23d. — The Southern Hotel at Newhall was burned to the ground this morning; loss about $30,000. The fire was caused by a defective flue.

News story courtesy of Lauren Parker.

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The Newhall Fire.

Los Angeles Herald | October 25, 1888.

Mr. John Matter, clerk of the Southern Hotel at Newhall that was destroyed by fire on Tuesday morning, came to the city yesterday. He says that a fire had been lit in the diningroom for the first time this year, and as the flue was defective this caused the fire. The result of the conflagration was as given in yesterday's Herald. It is not yet known whether the hotel will be rebuilt as Mr. J.O. Newhall is absent in the East, his first trip in thirteen years. The Newhalls have been running the establishment themselves since last March.

News story courtesy of Lauren Parker.