Dallas History: Birthplace of a Juggernaut Traditional Cache
Vertighost: Since there has been no response by the cache owner within the time frame requested in the last reviewer note, I have archived this cache. Please note that caches that have been archived for maintenance issues or lack of cache owner communication are not eligible to be unarchived.
Dallas History: Birthplace of a Juggernaut
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Dallas History: Birthplace of a Juggernaut
What you can't read in any article (other than this cache description), but that you can actually discover and see for yourself, is nearly a century-old proof that this historic building is the real McCoy! Now that's an exciting geocaching adventure - discovering history you can't read about anywhere else! To discover this yourself, walk across the street immediately south of this building, and once on the sidewalk head west until you can look back and see the west side of the building. You won't be able to see it all, but you will see enough of the top section to get a little history surprise - just for you! For 3 bonus points on this cache, include a photo of your history surprise. And don't forget to find the cache somewhere along the way.
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The very first Hilton Hotel ever built by Conrad Hilton broke ground in Dallas in the summer of 1924 and opened the following summer. It was built for $1,360,000, far away the most costly hotel of his 9 holdings at that time, and his first hotel to bear the "Hilton" name. Hilton operated the hotel from 1925-1938, and the structure is now designated as a Dallas Landmark, a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, and is in the National Register of Historic Places.
Hilton bought and renovated his earlier, smaller hotels and motor inns, none of which ever bore the Hilton name. He designed this new hotel in Dallas from the start to be a prominent high rise hotel. For the building site Hilton chose the highest point in downtown Dallas. The hotel was designed as a 14-story, reinforced concrete and masonry structure in a simplified Sullivanesque style with symmetrical facades and Beaux Arts detailing. Its horseshoe plan is similar to that of the Magnolia Building and features two flanking towers facing Harwood Street.
Hilton maximized all available space in the public areas of the hotel for an assortment of vending services. The presence of the druggist, men's shop, barber shop, valet service, beauty shop, coffee shop, tailor, cigar/news stand, telegraph office, dining room and others dovetailed with Hilton's emphasis on service while the rents those services paid supplemented the finances of the operation. Not wanting to tie up capital in land ownership, Hilton introduced the idea of a 99-year land lease with the Dallas Hilton. The concept was well known in the East in 1925, but it was new to Texas commerce circles.
His private offices were located on the mezzanine level along with several sample rooms. The 325 smallish guest rooms and corridors were carpeted. Most had full baths, and the rest had half baths. Seventy-five percent of the rooms had south or east exposure for maximum ventilation; no rooms were located on the west.
The competition of the luxurious Adolphus and Baker Hotels located just blocks away influenced Hilton to market to "The Average Man" at a moderate price. Since Hilton sold the hotel in 1938, the property has gone through several more changes in ownership and several significant restorations. The restorations have primarily reshuffled the interior spaces, leaving the outside of the edifice much as it looked in 1925.
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Also on the National Register of Historic places is The Majestic Theatre, just across the street to the north of the Hilton. The Majestic opened its doors in 1921, and it is the last original vestige of Dallas' historic Theater Row. In its heyday, The Majestic featured acts including Houdini, Mae West, and Bob Hope. The other remaining businesses comprising Theater Row were torn down in the 1970's. The exterior of the building is a classic Renaissance Revival structure. Enjoy! And as always, good luck!
Additional Hints
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