Beautiful Stranger: The Ghost Of Kate Morgan And The Hotel Del Coronado

by Hotel del Coronado

The official account of Kate Morgan's 1892 visit to the Hotel del Coronado, and why it is believed that she haunts it today, as well as an accurate account of her mysterious life and death.

Genres: Nonfiction, Mystery, History, Ghosts, True Crime, Historical

102 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2002

Reviews

[Camille Maio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great records of what happened to the "beautiful stranger" - it seems that much was learned, but much remains a mystery!

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I just moved to Coronado, CA/San Diego, CA area, I wanted to read something historical about the area, and when I found out that The Hotel Del (near where I live) is haunted, I was hooked. Going to try to stay there some night in that same room with a friend! I love this era and paranormal activity. Strong believer! This was an easy read, pretty short book. Good general synopsis of what happened to Kate Morgan. Enjoyed some of the verbiage from this writing from the 1800's. This book makes a good touristy souvenir. I bought this book for my Mom while she was here over Christmas and read it before she left so she could go home with it :)

[Craig Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Del's summary of the death of Kate Morgan and subsequent ghost stories provide valuable information as to the nature of the Del's haunted reputation. Not all of the ghost stories are thoroughly documented and the structure tends to be chaotic and disjointed. That being said, Beautiful Stranger is still one of the best books on the subject and its treatment of Kate Morgan's death adheres to known facts, not conspiracy!

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought this at the Del while staying there. Wanted more background on the resident ghost. Definitely delivers that with actual testimony from the suicide investigation, and newspaper articles from 100 years ago. Great investment if you like more than just the ghost story. It's the real story behind the ghost.

[Sally Kilpatrick]

I liked that this book included the actual inquest and some actual newspaper articles/summaries. The Heritage Department has done a thorough job of detailing possibilities. Overall an informative read. Don't look for just a ghost story--this book is thorough.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book in the gift shop while staying at the Hotel Del Coronado.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A few years ago, our family traveled to San Diego for my parents high school reunion and we visited this hotel, probably for the beach, The Hotel del Coronado. We heard about the ghost Kate Morgan, and bought this book. (My mom probably bought it, because I wasn't old enough to work.) I'm sucker ghost stories and this was interesting to read. Kate was a woman who committed suicide. She gave very little information about herself and she even gave a false identity burning any identification. The book has highlights from articles after her death and people's paranormal encounters with her ghost and other ghostly encounters. There are also various pictures throughout and even someone's sketch from the sighting of the ghost. It's a mixture of heartbreaking with all the theories about what led her to killing herself and even one theory that implies she may have been murdered. This is a nice souvenir when visiting San Diego and the hotel.

[Jesica · Rating 4 out of 5]

We just got back from Cali & we spent a few days in San Diego. We love Coronado & never miss a chance to visit the Hotel Del Coronado. While we were walking the shops this book caught my attention… the history behind the “beautiful stranger” Kate Morgan who took her own life on the back steps of the hotel in 1892 & why it is believed that she haunts it today. This is an accurate account of her mysterious life and death told through newspaper reports & a detailed inquest. You get a fairly complete picture of Kate’s short life as well as her tragic death. We might know where Kate came from, what she did during her five days at the Del and what the newspapers reported after her death. But we can never know for sure why Kate took her own life. You also read of the many “ghost sightings” & paranormal activities documented by the hotel’s heritage department. I love a good ghost story & this was a quick short fascinating read about a place I love to visit!

[Crystal Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and thoroughly researched book that details as much as is known about Kate Morgan and follows her through her last days at the hotel and ends with eyewitness statements from guests that have experienced her ghost through the years.

[Katherine Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

No ghost sightings for me but my watch alarm was set and went off yesterday morning at 2am on Saturday, March 30, the night we stayed. I did not set that alarm.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and quick read. I learned a lot.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spooooky

[Bernadette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book about a woman who committed suicide at a hotel. Mostly speculative. Documentation from the 1890’s is sketchy. Merely amusing.

[Sarah Stowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Coronado Historical Society put together a great book about the story of their "beautiful stranger" Kate Morgan and her mysterious death at the Hotel Del Coronado. Was she murdered? Did she kill herself? So many questions still unanswered and so many possibilities. I have visited the hotel and you can feel the energy all over the large property. One day i hope to stay in the room that Kate occupied. All those interested in ghost and paranormal activity should read the book about this popular haunted location and the sad, beautiful lady who resides there.

[Alana Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

My husband recently went to a conference at the Coronado and got me this book as a souvenir, he knows I love ghost stories. For a gift shop ghost book this was surprisingly factual and thorough with actual testimony and newspaper articles from the 1800s. The lack of sensationalism is admirable in a book by the Heritage Society but personally I prefer more ghost sightings.

[Jeannette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading this after visiting the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego. Wish there was more information about her.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good information. Sets the facts and allows us to make our own conclusion. Impartial as to whose body was really found.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

fun book. bought it after we stayed in Kate's room 3327. we had a great time but no encounters with kate.

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always love a good ghost story and I love the Del!