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Away - Hotel Coronado
History
As a National Historic Landmark, the Hotel Del has a
rich and colorful heritage. From Marilyn Monroe to Charles Lindbergh,
from state dinners to the ghost of Kate Morgan, The Del is a fascinating
American treasure with over 115 years of stories to tell.
Babcock & Story
The Del’s visionary founders, Elisha Babcock and H.L. Story, dreamed of
building a seaside resort that would be “the talk of the Western world.”
Since then, the resort has become a living legend, visited by
celebrities, dignitaries and U.S. presidents. In fact, publisher Rand
McNally recognized the Hotel del Coronado for enjoying “more fame and
historical significance than perhaps any hotel in North America.”
Presidents & Princes
Ten U.S. Presidents have visited The Del, starting with Benjamin
Harrison in 1891. One of the resort’s most famous visitors was England’s
Prince of Wales in 1920. He would later become King Edward VIII, only to
give up his throne in 1936 to marry Coronado divorcee, Wallis Spencer
Simpson. Many have speculated that they may have first met at The Del.
American Legends
The Del has played host to some of America’s greats including Thomas
Edison, L.Frank Baum and Babe Ruth. Famed aviator Charles Lindbergh was
honored at The Del in 1927 after his successful trans-Atlantic flight.
At this lavish banquet, a replica if Lindbergh’s plane circled the
enormous Crown Room ceiling.
Hollywood Connection
Hollywood has been making movies at The Del for more than a century.
(The first movie shot at the hotel was in 1901.) In 1958, The Del was
the backdrop for the comedy classic Some Like it Hot starring Marilyn
Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon. The resort has also seen a steady
stream of celebrity visitors from Charlie Chaplin and Humphrey Bogart to
Brad Pitt and Madonna.
The Ghost of Kate Morgan
What Victorian resort would be complete without a resident ghost? Kate
Morgan checked into the resort on November 25, 1892 and never checked
out. Reports of ghostly happenings have been circulating at The Del ever
since, all thought to be connected to the death of this beautiful young
woman.
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