San
Diego Attractions
San
Diego Gaslamp Quarter
Fondly
referred to as San Diego's "party central’, the Gaslamp Quarter
is a family-friendly district. It has an extensive collection of historic
buildings. The restaurants, nightclubs, theaters and shops are in these
restored Victorian-era buildings in the Gaslamp Quarter, which makes
it the focus of San Diego's nightlife.
If you look at the history of the Gaslamp Quarter, you will find that
two men, William Heath Davis and Alonzo Horton, were mainly responsible
for the success of the Gaslamp Quarter, and probably all of San Diego.
William Heath Davis basically attempted to develop what is now modern
San Diego. The William Heath Davis House is of historical value and
the oldest wood frame structure still standing in San Diego. Visitors
can take a look inside it.
In 1867, Alonzo E. Horton set up a land sales office in San Francisco
promoting San Diego as the city of the future and shortly, people were
moving to San Diego from all over the country. Alonzo Horton was called
“The father of San Diego.” He was the force behind the real
estate development in Southern California.
The Horton Plaza Park features the first water fountain in the United
States to have electric lights. Horton Plaza looks like a European market
place and is like an amusement park for shoppers. It has more than 130
stores and shops, a variety of restaurants and a multi-screen movie
theater.
The downtown area of the Gaslamp Quarter owes its tremendous growth
to John D. Spreckels who visited San Diego in 1887 and made Coronado
his home. He converted the streetcar system from horsepower to electricity.
He owned the San Diego Union and The Tribune newspapers.Spreckels
built several downtown San Diego landmarks including the Spreckels Theatre.
Next comes the Chinese Historical Museum Downtown, which is in a historic
mission building that was the first church and school when the Chinese
immigrated to San Diego. This museum displays historical photographs,
artifacts, art and furniture. It also has a tranquil Chinese garden.
Location:
From Downtown San Diego, take the 6th Ave. exit. Go left (south) on
6th Ave. In nine blocks you will cross Broadway to enter the Gaslamp
Quarter
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