DescriptionFour page letter written by Bessie Kellogg to Edward Kellogg from The Ormond resort in Florida, dated Saturday, March 15, 1902. The letter describes her visit to this luxury resort hotel and compares it with her visits to The Alcazar, another fashionable Florida resort from the early 20th century. Bessie was traveling without her family. She mentions feeling homesick, but cheered up when she received mail from Curtis, James and Mrs. Hartshorn. She mentions returning to The Alcazar the following week and waiting for Edward to come for her. She also states that by that time, Charlie Dearing should have returned. The Ormond was purchased by Henry Flagler, (J.D. Rockefeller's partner in Standard Oil) in 1890. Over the next 15 years, Flagler added three new wings, expanded the number of rooms from 75 to 400, added elevators and a saltwater swimming pool, and built a railroad bridge from the mainland to the doors of the hotel. At the time, it was the largest wooden structure in the United States and included 11 miles of corridors and breezeways. The hotel was located on 80 acres stretching from the Halifax River to the Atlantic Ocean. Completed in 1888, the Alcazar was the second grand hotel in St. Augustine built by railroad magnate Henry Flagler. At the height of its popularity during the 1890s, thousands of guests passed through the doors of the Alcazar. Each winter season the hotel was alive with grand parties, charity balls, and local celebrations.