Today, Gaslamp Quarter is noted for its abundance of entertainment places and its nightlife clubs. However, it’s also known for its historical places. San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter has a fascinating past from eerie hauntings to the Wild West. The Gaslamp Quarter has a lot of history to offer. There are approximately 100 historic buildings in Gaslamp Quarter within its 16.5 walking blocks. As a result, it’s a fantastic destination to visit because there’s always something new to discover.
A Sneak Peek into History
The hub of San Diego was once located in what is known now as Old Town. That was before Alonzo Horton, who is often named as the founder of downtown, purchased acres of waterfront property and erected a pier at the end of 5th Avenue in 1867. There he proceeded to create what was termed “New Town,” which began to grow within a few years.
Unlike the much older original Spanish colony of “Old Town,” in “New Town,” the city placed roughly 50 gas lamp street lights to light up this new modern component of the town. The moniker “New Town” was lost throughout the years as the rest of the city grew but with great foresight, the city retained the Victorian feel for most of this region, including the trademark Gas Lamp Street lights designs, hence its name.
Most people consider that the core of Asian culture in San Diego is on Convoy Street in Kearny Mesa. However, around the beginning of the 1860s, Chinese abalone fishers, who were not allowed to live in other portions of the city, gathered around an 8-block area near the Gaslamp Quarter. Today it is recognized as the Asian Pacific Thematic Historic District (APTHD). There are 22 historic structures in this area that are considered significant to this history. The San Diego Chinese Historical Museum is a great place to learn about the history of the Chinese community in San Diego.
Haunted Happenings: Is Gaslamp Quarter Haunted?
Gaslamp is not only recognized for its colorful past; it’s also known for the spirits that supposedly reside here. The most haunted house in the Gaslamp Quarter is the Davis-Horton House. It has become a commonly recorded venue for paranormal phenomena. This is a spot you cannot miss on your next visit to Gaslamp Quarter.
What Else to Do in Gaslamp Quarter?
The historic Gaslamp Quarter in downtown San Diego contains more than 100 of the city’s finest restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and retail shops, as well as offices and residential/work lofts. There is a restaurant for every sort of cuisine in the Gaslamp Quarter. Craft beer is also easily available. Numerous stylish boutiques fill the Gaslamp Quarter’s bustling streets. So, don’t forget to stock up on San Diego souvenirs as well.
You can also visit Petco Park, located on the outskirts of downtown. It is an excellent venue for baseball games. The family fun continues as you explore the past at the Gaslamp Museum or check out the USS Midway Museum or the Seaport Village. You can also pay a quick visit to the San Diego Zoo or Balboa Park.
At night, the Gaslamp Quarter turns onto the nightlife hub of San Diego, offering gourmet eating, handmade cocktails, live theatre, music, and dancing. All in all, there there’s never a dull moment when you are in Gaslamp Quarter.
