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

The Onyx Hotel

1910

— Gaslamp Quarter —

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, July 5, 2025

1. The Onyx Hotel, 1910 Marker

Inscription. This three-story pressed brick building still boasts the name of one of its earliest and longest tenants. “The Onyx” still can be seen in the green and white tile inside one entrance and on the stained glass above the central doorway. From 1911 until 1938, the Onyx Hotel operated on the upper floors; it later became the Rex, and then the Gates Hotel. In 1917, the Onyx was raided due to complaints that sailors were obtaining alcohol; more than a dozen sailors were caught. The lower floor was used for commercial purposes, and housed San Diego Gas & Electric from 1917 to 1925. (Marker Number 27.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the San Diego - Gaslamp Quarter series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1911.

Location. 32° 42.862′ N, 117° 9.618′ W. Marker is in San Diego, California, in San Diego County. It is in the Gaslamp Quarter. It is on Fifth Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 852 Fifth Avenue, San Diego CA 92101, United States

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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: Louis Bank of Commerce (within shouting distance of this marker); Ingersoll-Tutton Building, 1894 (within shouting distance of this marker); Nesmith-Greely Building (within shouting distance of this marker); The Hubbell Building (within shouting distance of this marker); The Watts-Robinson Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Mercantile Building, 1894 (within shouting distance of this marker); Panama Cafe (within shouting distance of this marker); Exchange Club (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Diego.

More about this marker. The marker is located to the left of the main entrance.

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, July 5, 2025

2. The Onyx Hotel, 1910 Marker

The marker is small but visible to the left of the main entrance to the building on the right, as seen in the photo.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 31, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 11, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. This page has been viewed 133 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 11, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.