On December 19, 1885, H.L. Story and E.S. (Elisha) Babcock purchased the entire peninsula of Coronado and North Island for $110,000 and developed it through subdivision and lot sales. They were also the visionary founders of the Hotel del Coronado, built by architects James, Merritt & Watson Reid at the cost of one million dollars. The Del, as it is known, opened in 1888 and is located immediately behind the beach, facing the Pacific Ocean; it is the largest beach resort on the North American Pacific Coast. It was designated California Historical Landmark No. 844, added to the National Register of Historic Places - building #71000181 on October 14, 1971, and designated a National Historic Landmark on May 5, 1977. Panoramic view of Coronado beach and its Tent City for tourists; Hotel del Coronado is visible in the background. A number of flags are flying, and electric power poles make electricity available.
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