CHARLESTON'S FRANCIS MARION HOTEL OPENED 90 YEARS AGO TODAY
Charleston, South Carolina (JFK+50) 90 years ago today, February 7, 1924, the Francis Marion Hotel here in the Holy City opened for business.
The hotel, built at a cost of $1.5 million, was named in honor of the American Revolutionary War hero Francis Marion.*
The hotel, built by New York architect W. L. Stoddard, was remodeled in 1996 with a grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
The Francis Marion Hotel today is 12 stories high & offers 226 guestrooms and suites.
*Francis Marion (1732-1795) was born in Berkeley County, SC. He began his military career at the age of 25 in the French and Indian War where he served under Captain William Moultrie.
Marion later saw service in the 2nd SC Regiment during the War for Independence. The legendary Banestre Tarleton was sent to either capture or kill Marion but gave up after a 26 mile chase.
It was Tarleton who dubbed Francis Marion the "swamp fox" because of his unique ability to disappear in the swamps after successful raids against the British.
After the war, Francis Marion was elected to the South Carolina State Senate and served from 1782 to 1790.
Charleston, South Carolina (JFK+50) 90 years ago today, February 7, 1924, the Francis Marion Hotel here in the Holy City opened for business.
The hotel, built at a cost of $1.5 million, was named in honor of the American Revolutionary War hero Francis Marion.*
Francis Marion Hotel
Calhoun and King Street
Charleston, South Carolina
Photo by John White (2012)
Francis Marion Hotel
Photo by John White (2012)
The Francis Marion Hotel today is 12 stories high & offers 226 guestrooms and suites.
Francis Marion Hotel
Charleston, S.C.
Photo by John White (2012)
The News and Courier
February 7, 1924
Photo by John White (2012)
Francis Marion Hotel Lobby
End of WWII Celebration Parade
In Front of the Francis Marion
Charleston, South Carolina
Marion later saw service in the 2nd SC Regiment during the War for Independence. The legendary Banestre Tarleton was sent to either capture or kill Marion but gave up after a 26 mile chase.
It was Tarleton who dubbed Francis Marion the "swamp fox" because of his unique ability to disappear in the swamps after successful raids against the British.
After the war, Francis Marion was elected to the South Carolina State Senate and served from 1782 to 1790.
"General Marion Inviting a
British Officer to Share His Meal"
by John Blake White
