“Undesirables”, they called them. Welcome to the Gaslamp Quarter, once known as the Stingaree. It was a red-light district teeming with gambling halls and brothels. This transformation from grit to glam began in the late 20th century.
The Gaslamp Quarter wasn’t always the Gaslamp Quarter. Before its Victorian makeover, the area was playfully dubbed “Rabbitville”. This was due to failed development attempts. Rabbits thrived where settlers struggled.
Alonzo Horton, the father of downtown San Diego, arrived in 1867. He purchased waterfront property and built a wharf. This marked the beginning of “New Town”. Horton’s vision sparked the Gaslamp Quarter’s initial boom.
These streets weren’t always lit by gas lamps, ironically. Arc lights illuminated the area, despite its eventual name. The Gaslamp Quarter earned its name and identity during redevelopment in the 1980s.
Imagine Wyatt Earp walking these very streets. The famous lawman operated gambling halls here in the 1880s. He added to the quarter’s wild west allure.
But the Gaslamp Quarter’s story isn’t just about humans. Bum, a St. Bernard-Spaniel mix, roamed these streets. He became a beloved local legend. A bronze statue now commemorates him.
The Stingaree met its end in 1916. Anti-vice campaigners demolished the neighborhood. They sought to create a more respectable image. The area was then renamed.
Even hauntings contribute to the Gaslamp Quarter’s mystique. The Davis-Horton House is known for paranormal activity. Ghost tours explore the spectral side of the district.
The Gaslamp Quarter even had its own Chinatown. Chinese abalone fishermen settled here in the 1860s. They formed a community when they were excluded from other areas.
Today, the Gaslamp Quarter is a National Historic District. It boasts nearly 100 historic buildings. These Victorian landmarks blend with modern skyscrapers. Restaurants, shops, and nightclubs thrive here. The Gaslamp Quarter has transformed from “Rabbitville” and the Stingaree into a vibrant entertainment hub.