 During the Great Depression, Milton S. Hershey, founder of The Hershey Chocolate Company, planned to be a recreation of the famous Heliopolis Palace Hotel, construction plans changed and were delayed due to costs, the death of Hershey's wife, Catherine, and the outbreak of World War I.When construction began, the new plans drew on Mediterranean and Spanish influences.Construction began in 1931 and the hotel was completed on May 23, 1932.