Remember When: General Oglethorpe Hotel Traditional Cache

Whitemarsh and Wilmington Islands have changed a LOT since I moved here in the mid-70s. This is a series of caches which will remind old-timers, and inform newcomers, of how the Islands used to look, before they started sinking under the weight of new development.

This property has had a long and somewhat troubled past.

Built in 1927, it opened as the General Oglethorpe Hotel. Complete with a Donald Ross golf course, the resort was intended to be a destination for wealthy sportsmen. Timing couldn’t have been worse. After the stock market crash in 1929, the number of wealthy sportsmen was significantly diminished.

Since that time, it has gone through a number of owners and many different names. During one period, it was owned by the Teamsters Union. Many folks in dark suits were known to frequent the property during this time. It also attracted some celebrities. Dean Martin was known to frequent the hotel, and was occasionally accompanied by Frank Sinatra and Jackie Gleason. The lounge overlooking the Wilmington River was known as Dino’s Den. An oft told rumor says that Jimmy Hoffa is buried under the helipad, which was supposedly hastily constructed at night, shortly after he disappeared.