In 1855, the local "Landvogt" decided to turn Westerland into a seaside resort. After 1857, the minor village centred on a church began to grow into a larger resort. That year the first hotel opened - the "Dünenhalle". Many others followed, although a number of them have since been torn down to make room for different structures. In 1880, the first solid building was erected on the dunes right at the beach. Electricity was available from 1893. In 1897, a telephone cable to the mainland was laid. In 1888, the "Kurhalle" was inaugurated, followed in 1903 by the art nouveau hotel "Miramar", which still stands on the promenade today.