23 Facts About Conrad Hilton

1.

From 1912 to 1916 Conrad Hilton was a Republican representative in the first New Mexico Legislature, but became disillusioned with the "inside deals" of politics.

2.

Conrad Hilton purchased his first hotel in 1919 for $40,000, the Mobley Hotel in Cisco, Texas, which capitalized on the oil boom.

3.

Conrad Hilton continued to buy and sell hotels and eventually established the world's first international hotel chain.

4.

Conrad Hilton attended the Goss Military Academy and St Michael's College, and the New Mexico School of Mines.

5.

From 1912 to 1916 Conrad Hilton was a Republican representative in the first New Mexico Legislature, when the state was newly formed.

6.

Conrad Hilton became frustrated with the "bureaucracy, slowness, cheating, lying, and inside deals of politics", and in 1916 he refused to run for a fourth term, instead endorsing his longtime political ally, Quianu Robinson.

7.

Conrad Hilton served two years in the United States Army during World War I After completing Officer Training School, he became a second lieutenant and served in Paris in the Quartermaster Corps.

8.

Conrad Hilton bought his first hotel instead, the 40-room Mobley Hotel in Cisco, Texas, in 1919, when a bank purchase fell through.

9.

Conrad Hilton went on to buy and build hotels throughout Texas, including the highrise Dallas Hilton, opened in 1925; the Abilene Hilton in 1927; Waco Hilton in 1928; and El Paso Hilton in 1930.

10.

The first hotel outside of Texas that Conrad Hilton built was in 1939 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

11.

Conrad Hilton formed the Hilton Hotels Corporation in 1946, and Hilton International Company in 1948.

12.

In 1954, Conrad Hilton Hotels bought The Hotels Statler Company, Inc.

13.

Conrad Hilton later purchased the Carte Blanche Credit Company and an interest in the American Crystal Sugar Company, as well as other enterprises.

14.

Conrad Hilton received honorary degrees from the University of Detroit, DePaul University, Barat College, Adelphi College, Sophia University, Tokyo, and the University of Albuquerque.

15.

Conrad Hilton's autobiography, Be My Guest, was published in 1958 by Prentice Hall.

16.

In 1966, Conrad Hilton was succeeded as president by his son Barron and was elected chairman of the board.

17.

Conrad Hilton bought Casa Encantada on 10644 Bellagio Road in Bel Air, Los Angeles, in 1950 and occupied the house until his death in 1979.

18.

Conrad Hilton renamed the property the Casa Encantada.

19.

On January 3,1979, Conrad Hilton died of natural causes at the age of 91.

20.

Conrad Hilton was interred at Calvary Hill Cemetery, a Catholic cemetery in Dallas, Texas.

21.

Conrad Hilton left US$500,000 to his two surviving sons, US$100,000 to his daughter Francesca, and US$10,000 to each of his nieces and nephews.

22.

Barron then presented the plans to Conrad Hilton, who donated US$1.5 million for the completion of the project.

23.

In 1983, the Conrad Hilton Foundation donated US$21.3 million to expand facilities and increase endowment.