The Gaslamp Quarter is a historic neighborhood in
downtown San Diego, California. It extends from Broadway to Harbor Drive and from 4th to 6th Avenue. The neighborhood is listed as a
historic district
A historic district or heritage district is a section of a city which contains historic building, older buildings considered valuable for historical or architectural reasons. In some countries or jurisdictions, historic districts receive legal p ...
on the
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the Federal government of the United States, United States federal government's official United States National Register of Historic Places listings, list of sites, buildings, structures, Hist ...
as the Gaslamp Quarter Historic District. It includes over 90 historic buildings, most of which were constructed in the
Victorian era
In the history of the United Kingdom and the British Empire, the Victorian era was the reign of Queen Victoria, from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. Slightly different definitions are sometimes used. The era followed the ...
; many are in use as restaurants, shops, entertainment venues, and nightclubs.
The Gaslamp Quarter is known for its
nightlife. It is the site of various events and festivals, including
Mardi Gras in the Gaslamp, Taste of Gaslamp, and ShamROCK, a
St. Patrick's Day event.
Petco Park, home of the
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are an American professional baseball team based in San Diego. The Padres compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League West, West Division. ...
, is one block away in the
East Village neighborhood.
History
In the 1860s, the area was known as New Town, in contrast to
Old Town
In a city or town, the old town is its historic or original core. Although the city is usually larger in its present form, many cities have redesignated this part of the city to commemorate its origins. In some cases, newer developments on t ...
, the original Spanish colonial settlement of San Diego. Intensive development began in 1867, when
Alonzo Horton bought the land in hopes of creating a new city center closer to the bay, and chose 5th Avenue as its main street.
After a period of
urban decay
Urban decay (also known as urban rot, urban death or urban blight) is the sociological process by which a previously functioning city, or part of a city, falls into disrepair and decrepitude. There is no single process that leads to urban decay. ...
, the neighborhood underwent
urban renewal
Urban renewal (sometimes called urban regeneration in the United Kingdom and urban redevelopment in the United States) is a program of land redevelopment often used to address real or perceived urban decay. Urban renewal involves the clearing ...
in the 1980s and 1990s.
It was rebranded the "Gaslamp Quarter" during the redevelopment and preservation efforts that occurred during the 1980s, though the streets were generally lit by
arc lights, not
gaslamps.
Timeline
*1850:
William Heath Davis bought in what would eventually become the Gaslamp Quarter. Despite heavy investment from Davis, little development happened in this period.
*1867: Real estate developer
Alonzo Horton arrived in San Diego and purchased of land in New Town for $265. Major development began in the Gaslamp Quarter.
*1880s to 1916: Known as the
Stingaree, the area was a working class area, home to San Diego's first
Chinatown, "Soapbox Row" and many saloons, gambling halls, and
bordellos.
*1912: Stingaree was the site of a
free speech fight between socialists and city politicians which led to riots and the abduction by vigilantes of
Emma Goldman
Emma Goldman (June 27, 1869 – May 14, 1940) was a Russian-born Anarchism, anarchist revolutionary, political activist, and writer. She played a pivotal role in the development of anarchist political philosophy in North America and Europ ...
's husband.
*1916: the entire neighborhood of Stingaree was demolished and renamed by anti-
vice
A vice is a practice, behaviour, Habit (psychology), habit or item generally considered morally wrong in the associated society. In more minor usage, vice can refer to a fault, a negative character trait, a defect, an infirmity, or a bad or unhe ...
campaigners.
*1950s-1970s: The decaying Gaslamp Quarter became known as a "Sailor's Entertainment" district, with a high concentration of pornographic theaters, bookshops and
massage parlors.
*1970: Public interest in preserving buildings downtown started, especially in Gaslamp Quarter.
*1976: The city adopted the Gaslamp Quarter Urban Design and Development Manual, aimed at preserving buildings in the area, and the redevelopment of Gaslamp Quarter as a national historic district.
*1982: Gaslamp Quarter became the major focus of the redevelopments in downtown by the city of San Diego.
*1992: Gaslamp Quarter Archway is installed and dedicated.
See also
*
List of Gaslamp Quarter historic buildings
*
U.S. Grant Hotel
References
External links
Gaslamp Quarter AssociationGaslamp Quarter Historical FoundationCentre City Development CorporationInformation about Gaslamp Quarter Happenings
{{Authority control
Entertainment districts in California
Culture of San Diego
Landmarks in San Diego
Historic districts in San Diego
Historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places in California
National Register of Historic Places in San Diego
Gaslamp Quarter
Urban communities in San Diego
Gilded Age