Golf in the Gilded Age:
Robber Barons, Railroads, and Resort Hotels
2: The Gilded Age 1870s-1890s
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American golf had its birth in the Gilded Age (1870s-1890s),
and by the close of the 19th century the United States had more golf
courses than Britain. This start is inextricably intertwined with the
dominant Tycoons of the day, and this in turn entangles the foundation
of golf in America with the expansion of their railroads and their associated
Grand Hotels in exclusive resort locations.
From 1900 to the advent of WWII, golf in America added
sinew and muscle on this underlying frame to make the Resort golf experience
truly spectacular and widely accessible outside the echelons of elite
society. The enduring legacy has been that the popularization of golf
in America is indelibly stamped with the watermark of excellence set
by these fabulous early Resorts.
The Gilded Age
 B.
Europe in the 1870s-1880s.
Bagnoles de L'Orne Spa, Normandy forest.
The "Belle époque" Quarter in Bagnoles de l'Orne
constitutes a rather well preserved example of what could be a typical
French upper-class residential area of the beginning of the 20th century.
Built between 1886 and 1914 and located in the southern part of the
town, it is filled with superb villas with polychrome fa&ccdil;ades, bow windows
and unique roofing. Similar projects were developed throughout France
at the same time, among which it is necessary to quote Le Vésinet close
to Paris, the Saurupt Park in Nancy and the "Winter Town"
of Arcachon.
Thermal mineral springs of Lac de Bagnoles de l'Orne,
with the Casino, Hotel, and town on the periphery.
Villa Le Castel, built circa 1900 by Léon Bérnard
Built under strict rules of construction and intended
for fortunate curists, the Quarter supported very clearly the concept
of a luxurious and peaceful area in full heart of the Normandy forest.
At the time, the thermal activity did not want to be popular, but privileged
the elitist luxury and the aspirations of high-born people who took
pleasure in the exaltation of nature like place of resourcing. For this
reason, Bagnoles de l'Orne is also known for the many prestigious visitors
who would have resided at it at various times: the King and the Queen
of Romania, Frank Jay Gould, the Prince of Montenegro, the Prince of
Greece, the Bibesco Princess, the Princess of Batenberg, Edouard Herriot,
Alexandre Dumas, père, or even the Maharani of Kapurthala.
The architectural opulence of constructions such as the
Villas "Printania", "Le Castel", or the so-called "Swedish Country cottage"
as well as the presence of large lavish Hotels gives a good idea of
the stunning taste of the "Fin de siècle" period. It is clear that if
the local style seems to have been inspired by the Norman neo-regionalist
style such as one can find it in the seaside resorts of the "flowered
coast" like Deauville, Houlgate or Trouville, there is a "Bagnolais"
architectural style with no one another similar.
Bagnoles
de l'Orne, Wikipedia
Bagnoles
delL'Orne official site
Hôtel de Ville, Bagnoles de l'Orne (1859)
Casino (bottom), Bagnoles de l'Orne
Le docteur Thorel Clovis, 1833-1911, who studied the medicinal
properties of the mineral springs of Bagnoles de l'Orne, was principally
known for his extensive botanical surveys of Saigon and the Mekong.
Durant les 20 dernières années de sa vie,
il se consacre à l'étude des propriétés
thermales de la grande source de Bagnoles de l'Orne et il publiera en
1900, en collaboration avec R. Vaucher, un "Code médical
du baigneur de Bagnoles" 6 où il décrit les propriétés
des eaux de la grande source et les différentes affections qu'elle
peut soulager. Il entreprend alors une étude plus précise
et ébauche une théorie originale sur le mode d'action
de ces eaux. Selon cette théorie ce sont les microorganismes
dont la présence est favorisée par la minéralité
et la température, qui ont le pouvoir de soulager les malades.
Cette théorie a été développée dans
un manuscrit à peine achevé au moment de son décès.
Ce manuscrit ne sera malheureusement pas édité et passera
inaperçu. Cette théorie retrouve cependant aujourd'hui
un regain d'intérêt et fait l'objet de nouvelles recherches.
Clovis
Thorel 1833-1911 Botaniste, explorateur et médecin fran&ccdil;ais
French Riviera Côte d'Azur
Nice: Between the French Revolution and the Empire (1792-1814),
the Alpes-Maritimes region was created and annexed to France. By the
same token, Nice was also returned to the French, but this time with
the assent of the people. With the fall of Napoleon, Nice again came
under the sway of Sardinia, but the language and culture distanced it
further and further from Italy. On March 24, 1860, Napoleon III and
Victor-Emmanuel II, King of Sardinia, agreed that Nice would be handed
over to France once and for all, a decision that met with universal
approval from the inhabitants. A remarkable economic boom ensued; roads
were built, the railway arrived, and the population underwent explosive
growth. At the same time, winter tourism, which had started to develop
in the mid-1700s with the arrival of the British aristocracy, gathered
ground. In 1827 the town received some 600 winter-holiday makers, coming
from all over Europe to enjoy the gentle climate. The latter part of
the 19th century and the run up to the First World War was something
of a heyday, to which the prolific and luxurious belle époque
residences attest. Nice was the playground of the rich and famous, but
with the aftermath of the Second World War, mass tourism grew and the
trend was reversed -- the resort town is now a summer holiday spot for
sunseekers who come to sunbathe on the beaches. Today tourism is a vital
and fundamental part of the local economy, a fact borne out by the airport
-- the second largest in France -- and the vast array of hotels.
History
of Nice
Monte Carlo, Monaco
Monte Carlo, Monaco, is a few miles east of Nice nearer
the Italian border and the Italian Riviera.
The Monaco of today dates from 1861. Monaco came under
the protection of Genoa in the 10th century, when the Italians took
it from the Saracens. In the 13th century, the Grimaldi family took
possession of Monaco and fought hard to keep it until the present day.
In 1998, the Grimaldi family celebrated the 700th anniversary of its
extraordinary reign. Initially extending over a territory much larger
than that of today, the Grimaldi dynasty succeeded in managing the city's
fate and fortunes throughout the centuries through a subtle game of
alliances. Under French protection in the 17th century, the Grimaldis
were given back their territory under the Treaty of Paris (1861). The
Principality of Monaco gave back to France its rights over Menton and
Roquebrune, thus recovering its complete independence. Today, the Principality
has about 30,000 inhabitants, of whom less than 5,000 are of Monégasque
nationality. It is still governed by the Prince Albert II.
Monaco
History
The Principality of Monaco was what happened when the
Duke of Savoy lost his holding near Nice (since 1388) and both Nice
and Monaco were annexed by France (1796), but then Monaco reverted to
independence upon abandonment by France in 1814, when Nice was returned
to the King of Sardinia. Got that?
In 1792, the French Army received the order to invade
Savoy and the County of Nice. Following this, the inhabitants of Nice
asked that the County become French and on January 31st 1793, the department
of the Alpes Maritimes was created. At the same time, Monaco asked to
be annexed to France and so Monaco, Menton and Roquebrune were united
with France. Officially, it was not until May 15th 1796 - with the signature
of the Treaty of Paris - that the County of Nice became French. During
the Restoration, Nice was returned to the King of Sardinia in 1814 and
Monaco was once again under the authority of its Prince. One year later,
the Crown of Savoy recovered Nice and its County. It was not until 1860
that Nice and Savoy were attached to France and this was in exchange
for the help given by the King of Sardinia in conquering the province
of Milan. This exchange was documented in the Treaty of Turin, signed
on March 24th 1860 (except for La Brigue and Tende, which only became
French after the Second World War). The Prince of Monaco abandoned the
towns of Menton and Roquebrune and became an independent sovereign.
French
Riviera History
The Grimaldis, descended from Otto Canella and taking
their name from his son Grimaldo, were an ancient and prominent Guelphic
Genoese family who, in the course of the civil strife in Genoa between
the Guelphs and Ghibellines, took refuge in Monaco, accompanied by various
other Guelphic families, most notably the Fieschis. Memorial of Fran&ccdil;ois
Grimaldi guised as a monk with a sword under his frock Fran&ccdil;ois Grimaldi
seized the Rock of Monaco in 1297; the area remained under the control
of the Grimaldi family to the present day, except when under French
control from 1793 to May 17, 1814. Designated as a protectorate of the
Kingdom of Sardinia in 1815 by the Congress of Vienna after Napoleon's
defeat, Monaco's sovereignty was confirmed by the Franco-Monegasque
Treaty of 1861. The Prince of Monaco was an absolute ruler until a constitution
was promulgated in 1911. The famous Casino of Monte Carlo opened in
1863, organized by the Societé des Bains de Mer ("Sea-bathing Society"),
which also ran the Hotel de Paris; taxes paid by the S.B.M. have been
plowed into Monaco's infrastructure. Economic development was spurred
in the late 19th century with a railroad linkup to France. In July 1918,
a treaty was signed providing for limited French protection over Monaco.
The treaty, written into the Treaty of Versailles, established that
Monegasque policy would be aligned with French political, military,
and economic interests.
History
of Monaco, Wikipedia
The Hotel de Paris in Monaco was the final word in Beaux
Arts / Belle Epoque resort architecture for the international social
elite 1860-1890, with an extravagance and opulence unmatched in the
world.
Panoramic
View of Monte Carlo (1903) (Edison Maufacturing Co. b/w silent short
documentary)
(Taken from the balcony of the Hotel de Paris, almost
opposite the famous Monte Carlo Casino, konwn through the entire world
as the greatest gambling resort in existence. As the camera is slowly
revolved, it brings into view the beautiful palm gardens and many of
the grand buildings. The picture ends showing the grand entrance to
the Casino, and many people are seen entering and leaving the building.
Very fine photographically, and an interesting subject.).
Monte Carlo Casino, since 1860s
Casino Interior, Monte Carlo, Monaco
Louis XV Restaurant, Hotel de Paris, Monte Carlo, Monaco
La Salle Empire, Hotel de Paris, Monte Carlo, Monaco
Hotel de Paris, Monte Carlo, Lobbby 1864
Monte Carlo Opera House, opened 1879 with a performance
of Sarah bernhardt in a nymph costume. Bernhardt was then by far and
away the most famous actress in the world.
Bernhardt 1864
Bernhardt 1877
Sarah's mother Julie became the mistress of the Duc de
Morny, Napoleon III's half brother. At the time he was the second most
influential man in France. He arranged for Srah to enter the Institut
National dev Dˇclamation and later the Conservatoire. Without his influence,
Sarah would have never have been admitted. (HIstorical
Boys' Clothing).
Monte
Carlo Resort Hotels
Live
Webcam, Monte Carlo Casino
Live
Webcam, Monte Carlo from the World Trade Center
Live Webcam,
Monmte Carlo Harbor
The "Scramble for Africa" - Clashing Imperialist
Empires
The Scramble for Africa, also known as the Race for Africa,
was the proliferation of conflicting European claims to African territory
during the New Imperialism period, between the 1880s and World War I
in 1914. The last fifth of the 19th century, starting in about the year
1880, saw the transition from the so called "informal" imperialism of
control through military influence and economic dominance to that of
direct rule."[1] Attempts to mediate imperial competition, such as the
Berlin Conference (1884 - 1885) between Britain, France and Germany,
failed to establish definitively the competing powers' claims.
Tobacco ad 1880s (British American Tobacco Co., Petersburg
VA) - "Dying to Save the Queens Colours" - The Zulu slaughter
of 850 British troops and 450 African supporters at the Battle of Isandlwana,
22 January 1879, in the Anglo-Zulu War, a prelude to the First and Second
Boer Wars. Isandlwana followed the massacre of Custer and his troops
at the Little Bighorn by a scant three years.
Isandlwana, from "Zulu War pictures from the Illustrated
London News and The Graphic", Stanford University.
IsandlwanaI
In the First
Boer War (1880-1881), Dutch / Afrikaner farmers used guerrilla tactics
to expel British Imperial forces from South Africa.But in the Second
Boer War (1899-1902), after protracted struggle and tens of thousands
of deaths, the British Imperial forces under Lord Kitchner prevailed
and South Africa was absorbed into the British Empire.
Handbook
of the Boer War, Project Gutenberg
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