Few People Know The Story Of Hilton Hotels Actually Began In Small-Town Texas
By Katie Lawrence|Published June 23, 2023
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Katie Lawrence
Author
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015.
Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).
I’m proud to be a Texan for so many reasons; not the least of which is how innovative our people are. From Dr Pepper to Dell computers, many inventions from Texas have changed the world – including the Hilton hotel brand. Founded in 1919 by Conrad Hilton, the international hospitality corporation started from the humblest of beginnings in the small town of Cisco, Texas, which is located about two hours west of Dallas and has a population of roughly 4,000. The brand really paved the way for the hotel industry to flourish, and the history of Hilton Hotels is fascinating and inspiring.
Meet the man behind the world-famous Hilton brand: the late Conrad Hilton.
Born on Christmas Day in the New Mexico Territory city of San Antonio, the disillusioned New Mexico House of Representatives member made his way to Texas at the height of the oil boom with plans to purchase a bank.
The bank purchase didn't pan out, but it would turn out to be a blessing in disguise. Instead, Hilton ended up buying the 40-room Mobley Hotel in the tiny town of Cisco in 1919; it was the best decision of his life.
With rooms turning over up to three times daily, the Mobley was a smashing success. The demand was so high, in fact, that the hotel's dining room had to be converted into additional guest rooms.
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In 1925, the first hotel under the Hilton name officially opened in downtown Dallas.
Hilton celebrated many "firsts" in the hotel business. It became the first coast-to-coast hotel chain in America in 1943 with the purchase of two New York City hotels...
...and was the first hotel company listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the first hotel in the world with televisions in guest rooms, and the first hotel with a multi-hotel reservations system. In 1949, Hilton expanded internationally with the opening of the Caribe Hilton in Puerto Rico.
Today, Hilton is one of - if not the - biggest household names in the hotel industry.
With hotels in 76 countries across six continents, it is the largest full-service hotel chain on earth. There are nearly 600 Hilton hotels in operation today.
You can still visit the historic Mobley Hotel in Cisco, which is now a museum commemorating the life and times of Conrad Hilton as well as the history of Cisco as a whole.
The facility also has a meeting room that can be rented out for special events.
For more information about the history of Hilton Hotels, or to book a stay at a Hilton, visit the Hilton website.
Did you know the history of Hilton Hotels began in small-town Texas? Tell us your thoughts in the comments! If you do visit the old Mobley Hotel in Cisco, be sure to also check out this hike to an abandoned zoo. It’s equal parts creepy and fascinating!
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