Mark Hopkins Hotel
THE MARK HOPKINS HOTEL WAS CONCEIVED, FINANCED
AND BUILT BY COMSTOCK LODE MINING ENGINEER
GEORGE D. SMITH WHO OPERATED IT FROM ITS OPENING
IN DECEMBER 1926 THROUGH JANUARY 1962. HE DIRECTED
THE EVOLUTION OF THE HOTEL FROM A SEMI-RESIDENTIAL
TO A TRANSIENT OPERATION WITHOUT LOSING ITS LUXURIOUS
CHARACTER. IN MAY 1939 HE CREATED THE WORLD FAMOUS AND
MUCH COPIED "TOP OF THE MARK".
IN 1924 HE BUILT THE CANTERBURY HOTEL AND OPERATED IT
FOR FOUR YEARS AND IN 1929 BOUGHT THE FAIRMONT HOTEL
WHICH HE OPERATED FOR TWELVE YEARS.
A MODEST MAN, GEORGE D. SMITH WAS A TIRELESS HOTEL AND
CIVIC LEADER KNOWN FOR INITIATIVE, RESOURCEFULNESS AND
NEVER-FAILING KINDNESS.
PLAGUE DONATED BY THE SMITH FAMILY