Author Archives: Dablad1
La Fonda Hotel
The La Fonda is located in Santa Fe, NM, and sits on the site of the town’s first inn established in 1607, making it the oldest hotel site in the country’s oldest state capitol. The current structure was built in 1922 following a 1919 WWI bond drive. For the price of a $100 bond, the … Continue reading
Willard Hotel
Located in Washington, DC, the Willard was originally six buildings connected as one in 1860. It boasted telephone service in 1878, movies in 1897, and air conditioning in 1937. The current Willard opened in 1901 and served many dignitaries until closing in 1968. The hotel sat vacant for many years and was nearly demolished. After the … Continue reading
Beverly Hills Hotel
The Beverly Hills Hotel was built in 1912 before there even was a town of Beverly Hills. Shortly after completion it began to attract many Hollywood stars, i.e., Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Rudolph Valentino, and Will Rogers. Harold Lloyd made part of a movie there in 1921, and an untold number … Continue reading
Audtorium Hotel
Located in Verona, WI., the Auditorium Hotel was so named because of the many performers who appeared there over the years. It was a very popular stage stop and today is occupied by Cahoots Bar. The first photo is from the early 1900s. The third photo is dated 1911; note the stables to the right. … Continue reading
Broadmoor
The Broadmoor Hotel is located in Colorado Springs CO and was built in 1918. It has 779 rooms and 18 restaurants and sits on 3,000 acres. At one time the shooting school was run by Annie Oakley. It has been awarded a 5-star rating from Forbes for 55 consecutive years, the longest of any establishment … Continue reading
Crescent Hotel
Located in Eureka Springs, AR, the Crescent Hotel was built in 1886 and was considered one of the most luxurious of its time. However, winter weather kept many away, and it was later converted to a college. In 1937 a new owner turned it into a hospital and spa. He heavily advertised cures for cancer … Continue reading
Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Located 15 miles east of Montrose in western Colorado, the Black Canyon is a National Park whose name comes from the fact that parts of it receive only 33 minutes of sun per day. In 1882, after a year of construction of the 15-mile track, a narrow gauge railroad started service. The track had no … Continue reading
Iverson Movie Ranch Part Two
Continuing with the “rock stars” of Iverson Movie Ranch, we have Vultura’s Palace from the Perils of Nyoka, a 15-chapter Republic serial from 1942. These and several other photos are courtesy of the largest website on all things Iverson– iversonmovieranch,blogspot.com Sheep Flats Rock 1956 Wrench Rock in 5 … Continue reading
Iverson Movie Ranch
Iverson Movie Ranch consisted of 500 acres located about 20 miles north of LA, near Simi Valley. It started making movies in 1912 and later added TV programs for a total of about 3,500 shoots, making it the most photographed movie location in history. Leading actors to work there included Richard Burton in” The Robe,” … Continue reading
Lee’s Headquarters
General Robert E. Lee entered Gettysburg on July 1, 1863, and moved into the Widow Thompson’s house using it as his headquarters for the duration of the battle. Later development all but obliterated the historic four-acre parcel, that is, until the Civil War Trust raised $6,000,000 in 2015 to tear down the motel and restaurant … Continue reading