Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego in San Diego County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Callan Hotel 1878

Photographed by Adam Margolis, November 27, 2021

1. Callan Hotel 1878 Marker

Inscription. In 1886, Till Burnes leased this structure as his Acme Saloon. Here he kept his menagerie which included a wildcat, noisy monkeys, an anteater, and his pet bear who escaped on a least two occasions. The bear was also known to lick the face or even take a bite out of a passerby. The saloon closed in 1907 after a shady history. From 1928 to 1941 the Nippon Company owned the building and ran an import business. However, this was lost due to the Japanese internment during World War II. The Callan Hotel opened in 1943.

Erected by Gaslamp Quarter Association, Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation, San Diego Historical Society. (Marker Number 62.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the San Diego - Gaslamp Quarter series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1886.

Location. 32° 42.633′ N, 117° 9.615′ W. Marker is in San Diego, California, in San Diego County. It is in the Gaslamp Quarter. It is at the intersection of 5th Ave and Island Avenue, on the left when traveling north on 5th Ave. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 500 5th Ave, San Diego CA 92101, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Peninsular Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this

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marker: Yamada Building, 1869 (a few steps from this marker); Higgins-Begole Building, 1873 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Lincoln Hotel 1913 (within shouting distance of this marker); William Heath Davis House, 1850 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Lewis Brick Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Lowenstein Building, 1887 (within shouting distance of this marker); Chinese Laundry, 1923 (within shouting distance of this marker); Quin Building, 1930 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Diego.

Photographed by Denise Boose, August 7, 2016

2. Callan Hotel 1878 Marker

Callan Hotel 1878 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, July 5, 2025

3. Callan Hotel 1878

Credits. This page was last revised on July 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 29, 2017, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 1,083 times since then and 68 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 13, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 2. submitted on October 29, 2017, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. 3. submitted on July 17, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.