November 1887 — The Highest Point of the Hotel
By November 1887, much of the exterior construction was complete. The highest point of the soon-to-be famous San Diego hotel was 120 feet (the iconic, red-roofed Ballroom tower, on the left). An artificial ice machine (producing 15 tons per day) was installed; a cistern was being constructed; the electric plant and laundry machine had arrived; and a “furniture parade” conveyed freight loads of furniture down Orange Avenue from the ferry landing on the bay. Manager John B. Seghers was back East hiring employees.