The Gaslamp Quarter is not only the Historic Heart of San Diego, as the iconic sign proclaims, but it has become the center of entertainment and dining for downtown’s burgeoning nightlife. The popular Hard Rock Hotel, seen in this photograph, is but one of scores of cool attractions lining bustling Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Avenues between Broadway and Harbor Drive. Pouring even more life into the Gaslamp is nearby Petco Park, the San Diego Convention Center and Horton Plaza.
This area of town, a few decades ago, had become the home to vacant old buildings, half-deserted warehouses and seedy bars attracting lonely sailors homeported in San Diego. Many say the catalyst for its modern transformation was the establishment of Croce’s restaurant and jazz bar on Fifth Avenue in 1985. The popular Croce’s was created as a tribute to legendary singer Jim Croce by his surviving wife Ingrid. As of 2014, Croce’s has moved to a different location on Bankers Hill.
Just a typical view of city life in the always lively Gaslamp Quarter.Fun, elaborate architecture can be seen all over the historic neighborhood.People dine at a restaurant in the heart of the Gaslamp district.Bar patrons watch a soccer game in style.People stop to enjoy a treat at Ghirardelli’s.Colorful stuff for sale in a touristy store window.Plaque tells a bit about the Louis Bank of Commerce Building.The legendary Louis Bank of Commerce Building attracts much attention!San Diego’s first granite building shows Baroque style architecture.
The two photos above show the Louis Bank of Commerce Building. In the late 1800’s it became home to the Oyster Bar, one of four saloons and gambling halls operated by Wyatt Earp when he lived in San Diego.
Canopy reads: Wyatt Earp’s Historic Gambling Hall and Saloon.Nesmith-Greely Building was built in the Romanesque Revival style.Greely Building contained office of the first woman attorney in California Bar Association.Elegant doorway of the 1888 building.I.O.O.F. Building’s cornerstone contains a stone from Solomon’s Temple!The 1882 Independent Order of Odd Fellows building.Closer view of the Classical Revival style I.O.O.F. building in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter.San Diego’s historic Old City Hall is an 1874 Florentine Italianate building.Two floors were added to Old City Hall to accommodate San Diego Public Library in 1887.The delightful entrance to Old City Hall.The Yuma Building was one of downtown’s first brick structures.The distinctive Yuma Building also dates from 1882.Looking down Fifth Avenue one early weekday morning.Grand Pacific Hotel was built in 1887 at this location.The distinctive old Victorian Grand Pacific Hotel in San Diego’s fantastic Gaslamp.Worker scrapes old paint as the years roll on.Old Town Trolley Tours bus exits the popular Gaslamp Quarter.
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A registered National Historic Place, the Horton Grand Hotel in downtown San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter is a true architectural treasure. It’s ornate Italianate Victorian facade is based on the famous Innsbruck Inn in Vienna, Austria.
Today’s boutique hotel is a modern restoration of two historic buildings, the Grand Horton, built in 1887, and the Brooklyn Kahle Saddlery. The latter was the residence of Wyatt Earp during the years he lived in San Diego.
The Horton Grand has another interesting distinction. Room 309 is said to be haunted by the ghost of Roger Whitaker, a gambler who was shot dead by a man he cheated in a game of poker. Many guests who’ve stayed in this room have reported objects changing position when they are asleep!
Is that strange, glaring, long-bearded figure in the corner of this photo a vengeful ghost? I hope he didn’t follow me home!
Entrance to elegant Horton Grand hotel in the Gaslamp.Another wing of the historic hotel.The inside courtyard used to be outside!A closer examination of architectural detail.The Horton Grand Hotel stands in downtown San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter.
UPDATE!
I took the following photograph of a plaque on the building many years later, when I happened to see it…
KAHLE SADDLERY HOTEL
BUILT 1886
RECONSTRUCTED 1986
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
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