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

The Fritz Building, 1873

— Historic Building —

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, July 5, 2025

1. The Fritz Building, 1873 Marker

Inscription. The medallion on the front of this building bears the initials of namesake Louis Fritz, the original owner and founder of the Golden Lion Tavern. The first floor was used as a restaurant and the upper floors were rented rooms. At one time, the building housed the Minneapolis Hotel and Restaurant. The restaurant catered to prostitutes in the area. When the red-light district was closed in 1913, the restaurant’s delivery service suffered.

Erected by Gaslamp Quarter. (Marker Number 38.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the San Diego - Gaslamp Quarter series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1913.

Location. 32° 42.802′ N, 117° 9.617′ W. Marker is in San Diego, California, in San Diego County. It is in the Gaslamp Quarter. It is on Fifth Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 756 Fifth Avenue, 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

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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: The Loring Building, 1873 (a few steps from this marker); Pat’s Little Theater (a few steps from this marker); Pierce-Field Building (within shouting distance of this marker); William Penn Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Marston Block, 1881 (within shouting distance of this marker); Llewelyn Building, 1887 (within shouting distance of this marker); Mercantile Building, 1894 (within shouting distance of this marker); Paris Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Diego.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Keating Building (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).

More about this marker. The marker is located at the north end of the building and next to the main entrance.

Additional keywords. prostitution

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, July 5, 2025

2. The Fritz Building, 1873 Marker

The Fritz Building, 1873 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, July 5, 2025

3. The Fritz Building, 1873

Credits. This page was last revised on July 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. This page has been viewed 100 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 13, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.