Timeline of Francis Marion Hotel
Hotel Construction
1920 The Francis Marion design was trusted to a New York Architect, W. Lee Stoddard, a specialist in the innovative design of high-rise buildings. At…
Read moreGrand Opening
1924 Envisioned as the city’s future business hub and venue for prominent social events, the Francis Marion opened with great fanfare and excitement. It was…
Read moreAir-Conditioning Introduced
In 1952, the Francis Marion Hotel became the only fully air-conditioned hotel in all of Charleston. This was very much so a luxury at that…
Read moreThe 1950’s
1954 Encourage by the lucrative business climate following the growth of the Port of Charleston and he US Navy Base & Shipyard, the Jack Tar…
Read more1956
1956 The Francis Marion celebrates the near completion of modernizing and redecorating all guest rooms and common areas under the new leadership. One major change…
Read moreMarch 18, 1956
Elvis Presley stayed at the Francis Marion the evening of March 18, 1956 after giving concerts at College Park.
Read more1960’s
1960’s Now long established as Charleston’s Grand Hotel, the Francis Marion is where your relatives stayed when visited town, where countless Charlestonians attended weddings, dances,…
Read moreSnow Day
Snow fell on downtown in Charleston on February 18, 1979 reaching a total of 1.6 inches. It wasn’t the first & wouldn’t be the last…
Read more1980’s
1982 Still working at the age of 81, Mr. Mose Smalls is proud og his Superintendent of Service title. His nomination for the bellmen of…
Read more1980’s
Francis Marion Hotel celebrated a grand re-opening as a Ramada Hotel on January 13, 1983. A multi-million dollar renovations project which has changed he face…
Read more1996 Re-Opening
1996 Reopened doors with 226 rooms after a $15 million dollar renovation following some neglect and named by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as…
Read more2000’s
After celebrating its diamond anniversary, the Francis Marion continued to benefit from Charleston’s robust tourist industry. Ownership received the Three Sisters Award recognizing efforts to…
Read moreLifetime Achievement Announcement
2019 Historic Hotels Awards of Excellence Winners Announced 2019 Historic Hotels Awards of Excellence Winners Announced Historic Hotels and Recipients Honored at the Awards…
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