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

Alonzo E. Horton

Photographed by Kevin W., January 25, 2025

1. Alonzo E. Horton Marker

Inscription. Alonzo E. Horton first came to San Diego in 1867, at 54 years of age. He landed at the old wharf and had to wait an hour for a wagon to come and take him to Old Town. While waiting, he immediately fell in love with the vacant land down by the wharf. "I thought San Diego must be a Heaven on Earth. It seemed to me to be the best spot for building a city I ever saw." Within a month, he purchased 960 acres for $265 and began building a city on the waterfront.

Horton lived to be 95 and to the end he was San Diego's most important salesman. He touted its beautiful harbor and its unsurpassed climate. He encouraged growth and commerce. He built a modern wharf. He offered free lots to erect the first homes. He built Horton House where there U.S. Grant Hotel now stands, visitors could enjoy the climate. He helped arrange for church sites for any denomination, public, parks, a courthouse, schools, a library and a town cemetery.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1867.

Location. 32° 42.888′ N, 117° 9.73′ W.

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Marker is in San Diego, California, in San Diego County. It is in the Gaslamp Quarter. It can be reached from Broadway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 848-878 Broadway, 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 marker: A San Diego Milestone (a few steps from this marker); Pete Wilson (within shouting distance of this marker); Balboa Theatre (within shouting distance of this marker); US Grant Hotel (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lawyer's Block Building (about 400 feet away); Panama Cafe (about 400 feet away); Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Assoc., 1911 (about 500 feet away); Exchange Club (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map

Photographed by Adam Margolis

2. Alonzo E. Horton Marker

of all markers in San Diego.

Photographed by Kevin W., January 25, 2025

3. Alonzo E. Horton Marker

Nearby Alonzo E. Horton Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin W., January 25, 2025

4. Nearby Alonzo E. Horton Statue

Credits. This page was last revised on January 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 14, 2024, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. This page has been viewed 207 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 25, 2025, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 2. submitted on August 14, 2024, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 3, 4. submitted on January 25, 2025, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.