GASLAMP QUARTER SAN DIEGO CALIFORNIA

The Gaslamp Quarter
San Diego

The historically significant Gaslamp Quarter serves as the epicenter of the entertainment and nightlife scene in Downtown. This is a neighborhood that you won’t want to pass up because it features the ideal fusion of traditional and contemporary influences. In spite of the fact that it just encompasses a little portion of Downtown and stretches from Broadway to Harbor Drive between the 4th and 6th Streets.  Some of the attractions that it offers are among the most sought for in the region. This area is due West of East Village and South of Old Town.  The Gaslamp Quarter is the district in Downtown San Diego that absolutely cannot be missed, and the diverse range of goods and services it provides helps with the lively activities it hosts on a daily basis.

History of the Gaslamp Quarter

William Heath Davis initially invested extensively in the creation of a new Downtown after purchasing 160 acres. In 1850, this included 16 and a half blocks of present day Downtown. However, the region did not have much development at the time, and the land was sold to Alonzo Horton in 1867. Davis unloaded the property for the low price of $265, and that sale also included an additional 640 acres of land. Mr. Horton started making major improvements to the area that would later be known as the Gaslamp Quarter. The neighborhood got its name from the gas lamps that were already there when he arrived. In the early 1900s, this area was commonly referred to as the Stingaree, and the majority of the neighborhood was comprised of gambling establishments, saloons, and bordellos.

Gaslamp Quarter is Poised for Improvements

The neighborhood experienced a gradual decrease in its physical appearance over the 1950s and 1960s. The drop in local appeal brought about its new nickname, “The Sailors Entertainment District”.  This name was aptly given because of the prevalence of adult bookstores, taverns, and massage parlors. Eventually the public started taking an interest in preserving the historic structures of the neighborhood in the 1970s. By 1982, the city had undertaken a large redevelopment project with the help of the Marina District. That boost ultimately resulted in the district being placed in the National Register of Historic Places. The home revitalization project was successful in preserving 94 historic buildings. The bulk of these homes were built during the Victorian Era, and are still being used today for a variety of purposes including nightclubs, stores, restaurants, and more. Residents here on occasion, travel to the local neighborhood of Little Italy for a slower pace evening.