This Victorian Hotel Opened in 1888 With a Power Plant That Electrified an Entire California City

Hotel del Coronado, California

Hotel del Coronado’s 1888 grand opening wasn’t just another ribbon cutting.

It was America’s first all-electric hotel debut, complete with Edison’s latest light bulbs and a power plant built just for the occasion. The February 19th celebration drew crowds who had never seen anything quite like it.

Here’s the story behind this historic moment.

America’s First Electrified Resort

The Mather Electric Company from Chicago installed the electrical system at The Del. In 1888, when most buildings used gas lighting or candles, this hotel became one of the largest buildings in America with electric lights.

Hotel brochures advertised 2,500 Mather incandescent electric lamps throughout the property. This achievement came just two years after electricity first reached San Diego in 1886.

Back then, electric lighting used carbon filament bulbs that gave off dim, yellowish light.

Backup Plan For Lighting Technology

Electric wires ran inside gas lines throughout the hotel, creating a backup system if electricity failed. This proved smart in an era when electrical service often stopped working.

The hotel’s power plant was among the largest in California. This plant supplied electricity to the entire city of Coronado until the 1920s.

The Opening Day Celebration

For the grand opening, 1,440 San Diegans crossed San Diego Bay to see the hotel’s debut. News of this wonder spread across the country by telegraph.

The massive turnout included locals and investors eager to see this marvel of modern hospitality. The celebration happened despite bad timing, since the Southern California land boom had just collapsed.

Hydraulic Elevators

The Del featured steam-powered hydraulic elevators, among the first in the country. During testing, an elevator lifted 2,500 pounds with ease.

These systems used steam engines to pump water into cylinders, creating pressure that moved elevator cars up and down. Before electric motors, this was cutting-edge technology.

Many hotel guests had never used an elevator before, making these mechanical lifts both exciting and scary.

The World’s First Hotel Oil Furnace

Architect James Reid put the world’s first oil furnace in a hotel at The Del. This led a Los Angeles oil company to build special tankers just to deliver fuel to Coronado.

Most buildings in 1888 still used coal or wood for heat during this time.

The Original Room Rates

When the hotel opened, rooms cost $2.50 per day. This price included three meals in the dining room, breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

In today’s money, $2.50 would equal about $75-$80, making it only for the well-off. The Del aimed at rich travelers from the East Coast and Midwest.

Telephone Service at Opening

The Del had telephone service when it opened, just 12 years after Bell’s first phone call. Phone service had only reached San Diego seven years earlier.

Phones weren’t in guest rooms. Instead, guests used central phones to make calls, with operator help.

For 1888 travelers, this was often their first time using long-distance communication.

Fire Safety Innovations

The hotel included a top-notch fire sprinkler system when it opened. Workers ran a water pipeline under San Diego Bay just for fire protection.

Water tanks and flow sprinklers throughout the building gave protection far beyond what was normal then. The hotel also had a fire alarm system, though it never needed to respond to a real fire.

The International Furnishings

For the grand opening, the hotel ordered toilet seats from England and dishes from France. Fine glassware came from Belgium for the dining tables.

Workers laid 21,000 yards of carpet from Massachusetts throughout the hotel. Wooden chairs from Boston completed the high-end look.

The Original Bathroom Amenities

In 1888, private bathrooms were rare luxuries. The Del had about 71 bathrooms with tubs and 71 water closets with toilets.

All bathrooms had good water pressure, which almost no other buildings had then. Most hotels offered shared bathrooms at the end of halls, if they had indoor plumbing at all.

Visiting Hotel del Coronado

Hotel del Coronado sits at 1500 Orange Avenue, Coronado, CA 92118. You can reach the hotel by driving across the Coronado Bridge or taking the Coronado Ferry from downtown San Diego.

Hotel grounds are open to the public daily. Non-guests can explore the historic lobby, shops, and restaurants without a fee. History tours run twice daily at 10am and 2pm for $35 per person.

Don’t miss the Crown Room Sunday brunch, the iconic red turret, and the original 1888 wooden lobby with its restored details.

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