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

The Yuma Building, 1882

— Historic Building —

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, July 5, 2025

1. The Yuma Building, 1882 Marker

Inscription. This building was one of downtown’s first brick structures, and was owned by Captain Wilcox who arrived in 1849 at the helm of the U.S. Invincible. The ship brought the engineering crew that attempted to turn the San Diego River into False Bay, now known as Mission Bay. The building is called the Yuma because of Wilcox’s business connections in the Arizona town. Later used as a hotel, this structure has the distinction of being the first to be closed during the clean-up of the red-light district.

Erected by Gaslamp Quarter. (Marker Number 51.)

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 1849.

Location. 32° 42.723′ N, 117° 9.602′ 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 north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 631 633 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 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 Combination Store (a few steps from this marker); The Casino Theatre, 1912 (a few steps from this marker); The McGurck Block, 1887 (within

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shouting distance of this marker); The Backesto Building, 1873 (within shouting distance of this marker); Old City Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); I.O.O.F. Building, 1882 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Cole Block Building, 1892 (within shouting distance of this marker); Timkin Building, 1894 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Diego.

More about this marker. The marker is located at the north end of the building, facing Fifth Ave.

Also see . . . Hats off to the Yuma Building.

When tourists view the stately brick structure with the twin spires that graces Fifth Avenue, their immediate question is, “Why is it called the Yuma Building when it is in San Diego?” The answer is simple – Captain Alfred Henry Wilcox, one of San Diego’s pioneers and the person responsible for the building, had previously been involved with the Colorado Steam Navigation Company and had done extensive steam boating on the Colorado River. Yuma was the first and last stop on the river excursion and Wilcox’s
Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, July 5, 2025

2. The Yuma Building, 1882 Marker
base. Thus – the Yuma Building.

(Submitted on July 18, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon.)

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, July 5, 2025

3. The Yuma Building, 1882 Marker

Historical Site No. 74
The Yuma Building
1882
The City of San Diego
Another historical marker is located above the Gaslamp Quarter marker.

The Yuma Building, 1882 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, July 5, 2025

4. The Yuma Building, 1882

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, July 3, 2025

5. The Yuma Building, 1882

The Yuma Building looks gorgeous at night, and stands out from blocks away.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 18, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. This page has been viewed 204 times since then and 91 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 18, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.