San Francisco 1954

Fanny Holt Ames was 68 when she went on her world tour with her sister Louise. On April 18, 1954 they disembarked from their cruise ship at about 9:15 a. m. and checked into the Fairmont Hotel. The Fairmont is a grand luxury hotel, and the first of the Fairmont Hotel chain that includes the Copley in Boston where OA has held its prom for many years. The Fairmont was built in beaux art style by Julia Morgan, then America's foremost female architect, for two sisters, Tessie and Virginia Fair. The Fair sister's daddy had struck it rich in California and they had married well-Ginny hooked a Vanderbilt-so the hotel project was more of a lark at the start, but it quickly became a symbol of the city's resilience.  The building was days away from opening when a little jiggler wiped out the city of San Francisco and severely damaged the hotel. Both rebuilt, and the hotel opened in 1907.

All the flags over the front door are to remind you that the United Nations Charter was signed here in 1945 just nine years before Fannie stayed there. Every President since Taft has stayed at the hotel. The Fairmont is a National Landmark. In 1999 the hotel spent $85 million to restore the hotel to its original splendor. You can see the results in a virtual tour.

It was Easter Sunday in 1954 so Fanny and her sister went with friends to the 10 o'clock mass at Old Saint Mary's catholic church. Old Saint Mary's is the official name even though this Saint Mary's is indeed old. Old Saint Mary's was built in gold rush times as California's first cathedral, but when the catholic population of the city and the bishop outgrew the building a New St. Mary's was built and Old St. Mary's became and remains a parish church. You can learn more here. 

As you can see Mrs. Ames didn't let the grass grow under her feet. Off the boat at 9:15, register at the Fairmont, mass at 10. The rest of the day was a whirl of meeting friends and a "long walk" through Chinatown. Lunch was held at the Fairmont's Camellia Room. I was unable to find a menu for 1954, but here's one from the following year:

Don't know if you can blow up the menu, but the Camellia Room Salad which was half an avocado stuffed with your choice of shrimp, chicken, or something illegible was $2.25. Fried Monterrey Abalone Steak, an entree, was apparently also in the same price range. Pistachio Layer Cake was 50¢. A Monte Carlo sandwich was 30¢ more than a Monte Christo sandwich-the Monte Carlo added ham to the French toast, turkey and cheese. Fanny also had cocktails and dinner at the Fairmont, probably again at the Camellia Room. After dinner Fanny was off to the Top of the Mark for a highball and the view-this bar at the top of the Mark Hopkins Hotel still has a spectacular view of the city.

Like the Fairmont, the Mark Hopkins is located on Nob Hill. It's built on the site of the mansion of Mark Hopkins which was destroyed down to its granite walls during the great quake. While Oakes and Oliver Ames were busy with the Union Pacific, Hopkins and friends were building east with the Central Pacific. I'm getting tired just writing this, but Fanny kept going with a visit to see friends off at the airport and finally made it to bed at 1:45. She was up and out by 10 the next morning!