The Hopeless Death of Kate Morgan
The “Beautiful Stranger” checked in to the Hotel Del Coronado, but did she ever check out?
On Thanksgiving day of 1892, an elegant woman walked into the lobby of the distinguished Hotel del Coronado. “The Del” was a new hotel then, and sprawled across the pristine beach of Coronado Island, south of San Diego, California. The woman was alone and used the door designated for unaccompanied ladies. She was dressed at the height of fashion but carried no luggage — just a handbag for the essentials. She registered under the name Mrs. Lottie A Bernard, from Detroit. The front desk assigned room 302 (Now room 3327). Little did anyone know, Lottie would be dead in five short days.
A woman traveling alone, without the accompaniment of a man, was unusual in 1892. So unusual, the Hotel del Coronado devoted an entire door to such women. The staff was concerned for the lonely traveler, but Lottie assured them her brother, Dr. Anderson, would arrive soon with her luggage, and take care of her. She explained that the two parted in Orange, California, but they made plans to reunite at the Hotel del Coronado.
