Compiled by SanDiegoTrivia.net for the Hotel del Coronado
What California governor and 40th President of the United States was a frequent guest at the Hotel del Coronado during the late 1900s?
W.H. Bentley was a Coronado businessman who was known for breeding what type of bird native to Africa?
Name the famous United States Marine Corps General that served as the mayor of Coronado from 1928-1930?
What was the preferred method of mail delivery in the early 1900s by Postmaster William Chadwick?
Known for his trademark bowtie and thick rim glasses, what famous popcorn businessman was a resident of Coronado for twenty years?
What bicycle store owner in Coronado organized the first Coronado Cycle Club in the early 1900s?
What famous actor and film director lived in a 1925 Tudor home on Coronado in the late 1920s?
What famous folk music group was the first started in the late 1950s by Coronado resident Nick Reynolds?
What popular children’s book published in 1900 was written by American author and Coronado resident L. Frank Baum?
ANSWERS:
Ronald Reagan – The Reagan’s enjoyed vacationing at the hotel. Reagan attended a state dinner as well as hosted talks with the Mexican President-Elect. The hotel’s “Governor Suite” is named in his honor.
Ostrich – Bentley owned the Coronado ostrich farm that was equipped with incubators during the early 1900s. The farm had 39 animals and only bred superior birds.
General Joseph H. Pendleton – Pendleton was responsible for pioneering Marine Corps activities in the San Diego area as well as on the North Shore on Coronado. After his 46 years of military service, Pendleton settled in Coronado and served as the mayor for two years
Horse and Cart – Chadwick’s “chariot” became well known because the horse was so familiar with the route she could have made it blindfolded. In 1919, he bought a motorcycle and tried to deliver mail for six months but gave up and ended up just walking the route.
Orville Redenbacher – Redenbacher was known for appearing in dozens of commercials for his famous popcorn. He retired in Coronado in the 1970s. In 1995 at the age of 88, he suffered a heart attack and drowned in his Jacuzzi.
W.E. Holland – The club equipped a race track on the grounds south of Tent City and organized the “Greatest Bicycle Parade in Southern California” on May 6, 1922. Holland’s store is still located on Orange Avenue today.
Charlie Chaplin – Chaplin was a British film comedian, director, producer, writer, and composer whose work in the motion picture industry consisted of 81 films made between 1914 and 1967.
The Kingston Trio – Nick Reynolds and Bob Shane first met while attending college. The two friends start to hang out, drink, and chase women together which ultimately led them to playing music at parties. Reynolds died in 2008 at the age of 75 but the band still performs today.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz – The book was the best-selling children’s book for two years after it was first published. Baum went on to write 13 more novels based on the places and people of the Land of Oz.