by Toni Shapiro

While vacationing at the Loews Hotel in Coronado Bay, my husband and I decided to take an impromptu visit to the Hotel del Coronado. It wasn’t until I began my research for this article that I learned about the vast history surrounding this famous establishment. I was awestruck by the shear enormity of this hotel. The experience of visiting this legendary establishment was both inspiring and humbling for me.

It is affectionately referred to as, “The Del” by the locals, countless guests, and enthusiasts alike. Located on twenty-eight acres of prime real-estate property on the California peninsula of Coronado Island, it boasts 96,000 square feet of stunning ocean views, immaculate indoors and outdoors. It has a huge swimming pool that is heated 80 to 85 degrees year-round, a large jacuzzi, cabanas and more amenities than I can possibly list. The square footage number is for the original hotel building only, the rest of the expansion is far greater.

The lobby is called the “Rotunda,” named for its circular plan and dome. The moment we entered; I was awestruck by its breathtaking beauty. The hotel check-in and concierge are located near the entrance. I noticed a panel on the wall with hanging tassels. Curious, I asked the attendant what they were for. She said that they are the original room keys, then she laid one on the counter for me to inspect.

Original Key

The desk clerk offered us the use of an interactive map to navigate the building and its various amenities, shops, dining, and other venue options. It’s easily understood how someone could get lost in the hotel, the grounds, and beyond.

Scale Model and Expansion

I couldn’t wait to explore. I stepped into an unlocked room near the lobby, called The Crown Room. It wasn’t open to the public, but the staff was gracious in allowing me to snap a few photos. This iconic room channels old Hollywood glamour.

The Crown Room

In 1886 the oceanfront property was sparsely populated with only a smattering of dwellings, so it was easily purchased. The hotel was established in 1888, founded by Elisha Babcock, Jr. and Hampton L. Story. It was designated a National Historical Landmark in 1977. Neither Babcock nor Story had knowledge of running a hotel, and clearly not one this size. But that didn’t deter them from chasing their dreams, they were so awe inspired by the location. I have to admit, it is fabulous!

In 1886, the two mid-western partners subsequently purchased 4,100 acres of property for an estimated amount of $110,000. Excited about their endeavors, they didn’t waste any time and began planning. They invited architect James Reid of the Reid architectural firm to join the project. The news of this grand hotel spread like wildfire throughout the western world. Ground broke that following January, 1887.

The partners hired 2,000 laborers to work full-time on the hotel. They pitched their idea to investors for the amount of $1,000,000. About $600,000 was needed for the actual construction, and $400,000 for all of the furnishings. Bear in mind that aside from property taxes, sales tax in California wasn’t imposed until August 1, 1933. So essentially, all materials purchased for this project and any revenue gain was tax-free.

The hotel debuted in 1888. Babcock and Story held an elaborate party for nearly 1,500 attendees who arrived in droves from across San Diego for the long-awaited celebration. Every accommodation of the luxurious hotel advertised a package deal, three full meals and lavish amenities included, at two dollars and fifty cents per day.

The guests were immediately impressed by the grandeur of this enormous structure that featured the latest innovations of its time, such as oil-heated lamps, indoor plumbing, and electricity. The Hotel del Coronado was the height of elegance and luxury at every turn. Unfortunately, prosperity wasn’t going to last. California, in addition to the rest of the country was experiencing an economic downfall, the investors pulled out, and Babcock and Story lost their much-needed funding.

With the possibility of losing everything that they worked so hard for, the two men were forced to sell the entire establishment to John D. Spreckles, son of German American industrialist Claus Spreckels, the “Sugar King,” of the Bay Sugar Refining Company. John D. Spreckles was a shrewd businessman, and a visionary just like Babcock and Story. But John was a newspaper publisher, a railway entrepreneur, and a philanthropist, he had the means to fulfill his ambitions, and accomplish his dreams. He would save the Hotel del Coronado from ruin, and subsequently increase profits. The transaction to new ownership was completed.

Suddenly, “The Del” became the site of something totally new, called “Tent City,” an innovative concept, and destination experience for his guests. The campground was composed of elaborate tents, but nothing was ordinary about this makeshift city. These tents were envied for miles around. They were a luxurious alternative for those who couldn’t afford an extended stay at the Hotel del Coronado, and they offered nearly the same amenities, including beautiful décor, fresh linens, but the most impressive detail was each tent was equipped with electricity.

Under John’s leadership, “The Del” was saved. The hotel gained Nationwide notoriety by some of the most prominent individuals. Several U.S. Presidents vacationed at the hotel; William McKinley, William Howard Taft, and Woodrow Wilson.

Other visitors were; inventor Thomas Edison, baseball legend Babe Ruth and many of the biggest celebrities in Hollywood, Joan Crawford, Judy Garland, Kirk Douglas, Humphrey Bogart, Clark Gable, Kathrine Hepburn and the “A” list continued. On April 7, 1920, Edward, Prince of Wales was honored with a grand banquet in the “Crown Room.”

“Some Like it Hot,” starring Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemon, and Tony Curtis was filmed at “The Del” in 1958. The Coronado police department enlisted officers to guard Miss Monroe throughout her stay. Many other great films are added to the list: “Maiden and Men,” “Pearl of Paradise,” “The Married Virgin,” “The Flying Fleet,” “Dive Bomber,” “Wicked, Wicked,” and “The Stunt Man.”

The film industry established a close connection with the Hotel del Coronado for decades to come.

Scandal, Tragedy and Ghost Stories at “TheDel”…

On Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 1892, Kate Morgan checked into room #312 at the Hotel del Coronado under an assumed name, “Mrs. Lottie A. Bernard, from Detroit. The mysterious 24-year-old beauty conducted herself in a manner of dignity and grace, while gaining the attention of some very affluent guests.

Kate had a plan when she arrived at the hotel, but unfortunately, it might not have been the plan that she intended. Five days later her lifeless body lay in the morgue. (Room #312, thereafter to #3312, and eventually, #3327)

There are several controversial theories surrounding the death of Kate Morgan.

#1—Kate waited for her estranged husband to meet her, but he never showed up. After 5 lonely days, she committed suicide in her guestroom, and discovered on the floor with a revolver next to her body.

#2—Kate was discovered missing 5 days after checking into the hotel, but her body was found in a stairwell at the hotel. She died as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

#3—Kate visited the hotel to meet with John Spreckles, while carrying his baby. She blackmailed him and was murdered. Money and influence fabricated a suicide story to the press, a cover-up, because John was married to Lillie Siebein, and together they had 4 children. The scandal would have ruined his reputation and his marriage.

#4—Kate was expecting her brother to arrive at the hotel, and she anxiously awaited his coming. On Monday morning, she inquired of a bell boy if he had arrived, and receiving the usual discouraging answer, she said: “Oh, no one comes to see me anymore!”

She then nerved herself to the final act, burning all her letters and papers, except an envelope addressed to “Mrs. Lottie Anderson, Bernard,” on which she had casually scribbled, as if it were her own name, “Coronado.”

#5—Kate was married to Thomas Edwin Morgan, but in 1890 she ran off with Albert Allen, and during their relationship she had planned a secret rendezvous with an unknown lover at the hotel. Five days later she was discovered 15 feet from the ocean shore, cause of death, a single gunshot wound to the temple, under suspicious circumstances.

Archives,The San Diego Union-Tribune, Nov. 30, 1892: The newspaper published this headline.

BYHEROWNHAND.

“A young woman, suffering from incurable disease, suicide.”

“She wanders out into the storm to die – desperate act of a guest of the Hotel del Coronado – a revolver the chosen weapon.

Night before last an attractive, prepossessing and highly educated young woman came down from her room at Hotel del Coronado, and between 9 and 10 o’clock stepped out upon the veranda facing the ocean, which was roaring at her very feet, lashed by the tempest that is whipping over the whole coast. The lady was quietly and elegantly dressed in black and wore only a lace shawl over her head. Nothing more was seen of her until 8:20 yesterday morning, when the assistant electrician of the hotel, passing by the shell walk at the end of western terrace, saw the lady lying on the steps leading to the beach. She was dead, and an American bull-dog revolver was lying within two inches of her outstretched right hand. A ragged wound showed on the right temple, but the rain had washed away all stains of blood. Her body was soaking wet, stiff and cold. Deputy coroner Stetson was notified, and he had the body removed to Johnson & Co.’s undertaking rooms in the city before many of the guests of the hotel were stirring.”

(The newspaper goes on to say much stranger comments)

“A telegram was sent to Mr. Allen, to notify her relatives there in Detroit, and the authorities will await their instructions as to the disposal of the remains. Deputy Coroner Stetson also wired Coroner Kellar, at Escondido, and receiving no response, will impanel a jury this morning and hold an inquest.’’ (Was the coroner suspicious by the cause of death?) Regardless of the long-debated theories surrounding Kate, she was dead soon after checking into the Hotel del Coronado. How? We may never know.

My personal experience at “The Del”

I had an uneasy feeling near two places at the Hotel del Coronado. The first was down a long narrow corridor, near the gift shops. Everything was fine until we reached the center of the corridor, I suddenly felt like someone was watching me, my skin prickled, and raised goosebumps sending a shiver up my spine. I walked quickly towards the exit and couldn’t wait to step back outside. Perhaps this corridor was where Kate had walked her last.

The other place I felt extremely uneasy was instantly after exiting the corridor. I turned right, stepping past a particular set of windows located on the third floor. As I looked upward towards the rooms, I sensed desperation emanating from that room and it actually frightened me. But I took the opportunity to snap a photo before moving away from the hotel. Without knowledge of the accommodation lay-out, I cannot confirm if it was Kate’s room or not.

Take a look at the third-floor, center bay windows. That is the spot that unnerved me most. Quite honestly that entire portion of the hotel was uncomfortable for me.

Possible, Room #3327

The Hotel del Coronado is a hotbed of paranormal activity… Investigators, paranormal enthusiasts; guests and employees have documented evidence on several occasions; disembodied voices and footsteps, flickering lights, objects moving on their own accord, televisions switching on and off by themselves, unexplainable breezes, abrupt temperature changes both hot and cold.

Some guests have claimed that Kate’s initials are present when the bathroom mirror is steamed up, and her initials are said to be permanently written on the ceiling, regardless of how many times the area has been painted over, they always re-appear. Other guests experience phantom fingers touching their cheeks and hair being tussled. An inexplicable scent of perfume wafts around the room and the hallway.

More activity has been found in these locations…

Kate’s former room #3327, and on the 5^th floor, room #3502, the hotel corridors, and the gift-shop. Some have claimed to see an apparition standing near the ocean shore that resembles Kate.

The gift-shop was established in 1888. Many employees and visitors have routinely witnessed giftware flying off shelves, and surprisingly the items usually land upright, and are never damaged or broken. One guest complained about his personal belongings being strewn about in his room, including the contents of his luggage, and he expressed ongoing nightly disturbances while staying in room #3327. He requested a different room. Poltergeist activity, perhaps, or was it Kate?

Kate wasn’t the only suspicious suicide at Hotel del Coronado…

Before 1900, two women in despair had separately committed suicide, each taking with them the life of an unborn child. Their ghosts are said to haunt two separate rooms. Kate was the most famous for her untimely death and for the death of her unborn child.

The other place where strong paranormal activity occurs is, room #3502, which was formerly room, #502. An unidentified woman was discovered dead, and her body was promptly removed from her guestroom before the authorities were summoned to investigate. This woman is said to haunt room #3502, in addition to other areas on the fifth floor. It is rumored to be the guestroom where former owner/founder, Elisha Babcock entertained his mistress. She took her own life soon after learning that she was pregnant. Elisha Babcock was married to Isabella Babcock, since October of 1882. Perhaps she was removed to avoid an ugly scandal.

Unfortunately, I could not locate a name for the alleged mistress anywhere from my archives research. Other paranormal activity has been documented about child-spirits. Guests have reported that they hear children laughing, running, and playing on the fifth-floor hallway, but once they step-out to investigate, nothing is there. Upon closing their door, the disturbances begin again.

Undoubtedly the Hotel del Coronado has seen its share of tragedy, suspicious activity and perhaps, a crime, and its mysteries may never be solved. But one thing is for certain, this grand hotel will continue to attract vacationers for years to come, and it may forever be a place where restless spirits reside.