Ventura
County
Biographies
FRANK I. BARRINGTON
Among the noted hostelries of
southern California is El Roblar Hotel of Ojai,
successfully conducted by Frank I. Barrington, who is also engaged in
ranching. He was born in County Wexford,
Ireland, March 17, 1875, and was reared and educated in that country. When a young man of
twenty-two years, he immigrated to America, locating at Philadelphia in 1897;
and entered the employ of Charles Chalk, a well known caterer, under whom he
received thorough training.
About 1906 Mr. Barrington came to
California and followed his chosen line of work in Redlands, later removing to
Santa Barbara. Coming to Ojai in 1920,
he purchased El Roblar Hotel, which he has since
operated, and has enlarged the building, which is now twice its original
size. Substantially constructed, the
hotel represents the mission style of architecture and has been improved and
modernized by Mr. Barrington, whose guests dwell in the atmosphere of a refined
home. Among his clients are many eastern
families, who come here each year. El Roblar is a delight to every traveler who visits the Ojai
Valley, affording everything that is most desirable in hotel accommodations and
service. It is operated on the American
as well as the European plan and is noted for the excellence of its cuisine. Mr. Barrington keeps his hotel open
throughout the year and caters to the most discriminating class of patrons, yet
his prices are moderate. He formerly had
charge of the New Pierpont Beach Chop House in Ventura, and reserves a portion
of his time for the supervision of his valuable citrus ranch in this district.
Mr. Barrington married Miss Jeanie McIlhatton, who was born in Belfast, Ireland, and who ably
assists her husband in the management of the hotel. Fraternally Mr. Barrington is identified with
Ventura Lodge, No. 1430, B. P. O. E., and Ventura Lodge, No. 214, F. & A.
M. He belongs to the Masonic Club of Los
Angeles, the Ojai Country Club, the Jake Boyd Club of Ojai and the California
Hotel Men’s Association. Of marked
public spirit, he is always found in the van of movements for the benefit of
the Ojai Valley and Ventura County. He
is a director in the Bank of America, a member of the school board and a
director of the Chamber of Commerce at Ojai.
Mr. Barrington is a shrewd, far-sighted businessman whose economic
knowledge of modern food values is supplemented by a specialized grasp of the
art of hotel keeping, and in the upbuilding of his individual interests he has
contributed materially to the welfare and prestige of his community.
Transcribed by
V. Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: California of the South
Vol. III, by John Steven McGroarty, Pages 277-278, Clarke Publ.,
Chicago, Los Angeles,
Indianapolis. 1933.
© 2012 V. Gerald Iaquinta.
GOLDEN
NUGGET'S VENTURA
BIOGRAPIES