US Traction Elevators at the U.S. GRANT Hotel, San Diego, CA

[@Paramount531]

I love these elevators! I was fortunate to have been able to do work in the Grant in 1982 when it was closed as a hotel but was getting ready to undergo renovation. It was used for temporary housing for Navy personnel during ship overhauls. At the time, the two elevators on the left as you are facing the stairs that lead to the mezzanine were still manual and were unused, one was operational and the other had been overloaded and crashed in the basement. The cabs were beautiful oak. I was able to get a ride in the functional one. On the right side were two that appeared to have been modernized in the 50s. The first time I rode in one the G forces were actually scary. I was able to explore the mechanical room, if I recall correctly the equipment was Westinghouse. Early in the building's history, at least one additional floor was added which probably explains why only one elevator on each bank went to the 11th floor. When out on the two wing roofs that were accessible from the 8th floor, you could hear the relays for the modded elevators clicking. On the 3rd Avenue side, there was a manual freight elevator that I took a joyride or two on. There was also a sidewalk elevator to load things from the sidewalk to the basement. Over the years, we have stayed there a few times and riding those elevators is always among the high points of our stay there. I wish I knew if those original 1910 vintage motors are still being used, they could really move those cabs!

[@ElevatorsAndFlying]

Great History and story!