During the hotel's existence, it contained 1,000 rooms, 100 private baths, a lavish interior, electric lights and fireproof construction.

[1] Liberty E. Holden, a real estate investor and owner of The Plain Dealer, purchased the land from Philo Chamberlain and created a corporation to build the hotel; he hired the Cleveland architect George F. Hammond to design it.

[2] When the hotel opened on June 7, 1885, it was considered a technological marvel because every room was equipped with electric lights and the building was fireproofed.

[1] The hotel's interiors consisted of paneled walls, redwood and mahogany fittings and were finished off with crystal chandeliers.

[3] During the hotel's history, it had a reputation for hosting celebrities, industrial giants and various politicians, including the former U.S. Presidents McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, Taft, Wilson and Harding.

[9] After the money was delivered the boy was released unharmed and put on a streetcar in Cleveland and reunited with his father at the Hollenden.