By Mala Blomquist | June 19, 2012

A few years ago I was lucky to be a guest at the Hotel Del Coronado. This was my first stay on Coronado and I was so enamored with the grand lady of the island that I never left her grounds.

Fast forward a few years and I have returned. This time I wanted to learn about the history that surrounds this magical island paradise. I discovered the best way to immerse yourself in the days of old is to stay at the Glorietta Bay Inn.

This property has been restored to its majestic origins. The Inn began its life as the “dream home” of John D. Spreckels. Spreckels began investing in the island when his yacht stopped there for supplies in 1887. By the early 1900s he owned all but five parcels on the island, including controlling interest of the Hotel Del Coronado.

The tour starts in the Music Room. It was built to house Spreckels' 41-rank Aeolian Pipe Organ.

I learned all this and more fascinating facts about the island (which is really not an island, but a peninsula) from Gerry MacCartee, a local historian and guide for Coronado Touring.

Read the entire Raising Arizona Kids article here.