Charles T. Hinde (July 12, 1832 – March 10, 1915) was an American riverboat captain, businessman, industrialist and investor who lived for a period in Evansville, Indiana. Hinde built a fortune through river transportation, railroads and business investments and later became an important figure in the development of Coronado, California, including an investment in the famous Hotel del Coronado.
His years in Evansville connected him with several people who would later play major roles in the development of Southern California, including Evansville businessman Elisha S. Babcock Jr. and architects James and Merritt Reid.
Early Life
Hinde was born on July 12, 1832, in Urbana, Ohio. As a young man, he entered the river transportation business during an era when steamboats were among the most important forms of transportation and commerce in the United States.
Hinde worked on steamboats operating on the Mississippi and Ohio river systems and rose through the industry at a young age. By his twenties, he had become a riverboat captain.
He eventually became involved in several major packet and shipping companies and developed extensive experience moving passengers and freight along America’s inland waterways.
Evansville
After years in the river transportation business, Hinde moved with his family to Evansville, Indiana.
His time in Evansville would prove important to the next stage of his career. While living in the city, Hinde became acquainted with Elisha S. Babcock Jr., an Evansville businessman who would later become one of the developers of Coronado, California.
Hinde also developed a relationship with architects James and Merritt Reid, known as the Reid Brothers. The brothers practiced architecture in Evansville and designed several important local buildings, including Willard Library.
These Evansville relationships would later follow Hinde more than 1,800 miles west to California.
Hinde also experienced personal tragedy while associated with Evansville. His only child, Camilla Hinde, died in Evansville at just 13 years old. Hinde later funded religious buildings in California in her memory.
Business Career
As railroads began replacing steamboats as the dominant form of transportation, Hinde shifted his business interests from river navigation to railroads and shipping.
He became involved with the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and later the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad, developing additional business interests in transportation, shipping and grain.
By middle age, Hinde had accumulated considerable wealth through his transportation and business ventures.
California and Hotel del Coronado
Hinde’s Evansville connection eventually helped bring him to Southern California.
His friend E. S. Babcock had become involved in developing the Coronado peninsula near San Diego. Babcock and his partners envisioned transforming the largely undeveloped area into a major resort community centered around an enormous seaside hotel.
The project became the Hotel del Coronado, which opened in 1888.
When the developers needed additional financial backing, Hinde became one of the investors in the project along with businessman John D. Spreckels and others.
The Evansville connection went even further. Babcock hired James and Merritt Reid, the architects Hinde and Babcock knew from Evansville, to design the Hotel del Coronado.
The massive Victorian resort became one of the most famous hotels in the United States and remains a major California landmark.
Hinde became vice president and treasurer of the Coronado Beach Company and remained involved with the company until his death.
Other California Business Interests
Hinde continued expanding his business interests after moving west. He worked with Babcock and John D. Spreckels and became involved in shipping, commercial development, real estate and transportation.
He was a founder and part-owner of the Spreckels Brothers Commercial Company and was involved with the Santa Fe Wharf and other enterprises that contributed to the growth of the San Diego region.
Hinde’s move from steamboats to railroads and eventually California real estate and development made him a wealthy businessman during America’s Gilded Age.
Reid Brothers Connection
Hinde maintained his relationship with the Reid Brothers after leaving Evansville.
In addition to designing the Hotel del Coronado, the architects designed Hinde’s home in Coronado as well as church-related buildings he financed.
The connection provides an unusual link between the architectural history of Evansville and Coronado: architects who worked on Evansville landmarks went west with businessmen connected to the city and helped create one of America’s most recognizable hotels.
Philanthropy
Later in life, Hinde donated substantial amounts of money to charitable and religious projects in California.
Following the death of his daughter Camilla, he funded projects in her memory, including Christ Episcopal Church in Coronado, along with related church buildings.
Hinde was known for avoiding publicity for much of his charitable giving.
Death and Legacy
Charles T. Hinde died in Coronado, California, on March 10, 1915, at age 82.
His career stretched from the great American steamboat era through the expansion of railroads and into the development boom of Southern California.
For Evansville, Hinde is particularly notable because the relationships he formed in the city helped connect Evansville to the development of Coronado and the Hotel del Coronado. Hinde, E. S. Babcock and the Reid Brothers all had significant Evansville connections before becoming involved with the famous California resort.
Hinde is buried at Mount Hope Cemetery in San Diego, California.