Sunday, January 13, 2013 - 4:45pm
Wilmington's Hotel du Pont celebrating 100 years
Updated Sunday, January 13, 2013 - 5:01pm
Wilmington's Hotel du Pont is getting ready to kick off a year-long centennial celebration.
The century-old downtown landmark begins the celebration on Tuesday with activities including horse and carriage rides and tours by staff in period dress.
The News-Journal reported Sunday that the hotel was built to provide quality lodging for travelers doing business with chemical maker DuPont.
Pierre S. du Pont and the company's secretary treasurer hired Chicago architect Ernest R. Graham for the $1 million project that took two nearly two years to complete.
Within a week, the 12-story Italian Renaissance hotel had 25,000 visitors and within five years it closed for a renovation that nearly doubled its size. The hotel cost $1.50 a night when it opened in 1913.
Copyright © May 19, 2013, WDEL/Delmarva Broadcasting Company. All Rights Reserved.
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