The Gaslamp Quarter is a small downtown neighborhood in San Diego, California know because of its rich history and antique buildings, many of which are still in service with active tenants including dining places, stores and nightclubs. Over 90 historic buildings are seated and even now in operation with active tenants in the heart of this little, historic neighborhood of Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego, California. This strip of more or less 38 acres in land area was initially projected to become the primary business district in the downtown San Diego during the late 1860’s.
During the late 1860’s, it was originally planned to convert this more or less 38 acres of land into a main business district in downtown San Diego. In that period, San Diego has a booming economy which in due course attracts group of gamblers and prostitutes. In that period, swarm of prostitutes and gamblers flooded San Diego due to its booming economy. With this, Gaslamp Quarter too became popular because of its red light district and gambling halls and got its nickname ‘Stingaree’. With this, red light district and gambling halls rapidly emerged and Gaslamp Quarter became popular and was eventually called ‘Stingaree’. In 1912, number of complaints from the citizenry hard-pressed the city administration to reduce the proliferation of nightclubs in the area~In 1912, city government started restraining the proliferation of nightclubs in response to the complaints of the community. This move triggered the ‘death’ of the red light district. The reputation of the red light district ‘died’ due to this attempt. But between 1950’s to 1970’s, pornographic theaters and saloons once more emerged in the vicinity of Gaslamp Quarter. Pornographic theaters and saloons yet again emerged throughout the district between 1950 to 1970. So in 1974, residents and the city government join hands and finally initiated measures to cleanse the area and to maintain the district’s historic aesthetic. To fully safeguard its historic aesthetic, residents and the city government teamed up and initiated final actions to cleanse the district in 1974.
Subsequently in 1980, yet a new history is about to be untold after Gaslamp Quarter is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. And then on, Gaslamp Quarter got back its long lost fame, now, not as a red light district, but one of the major attractions in San Diego. Numerous enhancements and rehabilitations were initiated to further urbanized the district. The Gaslamp Quarter Foundation was shortly established to supervise the redevelopment and rehabilitation process. This non-profit charitable society, which was subsequently known as The Quarter Historical Foundation by 1996, helped to educate not just the San Diego residents but also the guests and travelers, regarding the rich historical heritage of the district with the help of its more than a hundred volunteers.
Back in1986, the Gaslamp Archway idea was conceived along 5th Avenue and L Street to serve as a symbol of declaration, not just for the Gaslamp Quarter but for the entire city of San Diego, for their eager devotion and dedication to a continuous redevelopment. The project initially started in 1988. The archway was designed by Arch. Harman Nelson and was built by Roy Flahive. And in 1989, the project was officially completed and stood proud for its fame and its wonderful residents.
Wholesome and family-friendly business establishments began to emerged which clearly suggests that the district’s appearance has changed. In the latest database of http://www.iStayGreen.org – the directory of eco friendly hotels – would you imagine that there are nearly 200 hotels on or next to the vicinity of Gaslamp Quarter not to mention lines of restaurants, bars, nightclubs, lounges, boutiques, art galleries and shops. Clearly, Gaslamp Quarter is starting to make its own name in the field of local and international tourism as one of several top destinations in the United States.
Today, amazing events are being held in the district like The San Diego Restaurant Week – a twice a year culinary celebration, The Fallback Festival and the Children’s Street Faire – celebrated every November, Michael John Houge Memorial Golf Tournament – a fund raising golf tournament held every May, The San Diego Film Festival – voted as among the hottest film festivals in the US; The Poinsettia Bowl Battle of the Bands, The 5th Avenue Auto Showcase, The KiFM Jazz Music Festival Memorial Day Weekend – held every Saturday of the Memorial Day Weekend, ShamRock St. Patrick’s Day Festival – street party turned green as they celebrate the festival every the 17th of March and of course who could ever forget the Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras Celebration- celebrated every March. And do not worry about where to stay, there are many San Diego hotels in the area to select from which fits your comfort.
A little trivia regarding the district’s name: The name “Gaslamp” came from the words “gas lamps”. The place started to be called “Gaslamp Quarter” when four new gas lamps were mounted in the corner of Market Street and 5th Avenue before the beginning of the 1900’s. This very same location and intersection today features a “Pedestrian Scramble”, very similar to a much larger Hachiko Square in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan.
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