November 6, 2010
Did You Say Mardi Gras? Go To Gaslamp Quarter!
Visit Gaslamp District at http://www.istaygreen.org
The Gaslamp Quarter is a small downtown neighborhood in San Diego, California know for its rich history and antique buildings, most of which are even now in operation with active tenants including restaurants, stores and nightclubs. Over 90 historic structures are seated and still in use with active tenants in the heart of this small, historic neighborhood of Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego, California. This strip of roughly 38 acres in land area was initially intended to be the primary business district in the downtown San Diego during the late 1860’s.
During the late 1860’s, it had been initially projected to convert this roughly 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, group of prostitutes and gamblers flooded San Diego due to its thriving 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 started to be popular and was finally called ‘Stingaree’. In 1912, number of complaints from the citizenry pressed the city government to reduce the proliferation of nightclubs in the area~In 1912, city government started limiting the proliferation of nightclubs in reaction towards the complaints of the public. This attempt 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 administration join hands and eventually initiated actions to cleanse the area and to maintain the district’s historic aesthetic. To entirely conserve its historic aesthetic, residents and the city administration teamed up and initiated final actions to cleanse the district in 1974.
Subsequently in 1980, yet another chronicle is about to become untold when Gaslamp Quarter is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. And then on, Gaslamp Quarter got back its long lost glory, 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 later on established to supervise the redevelopment and rehabilitation process. This non-profit charitable society, which was subsequently known as The Quarter Historical Foundation by 1996, aided to educate not only the San Diego residents but also the visitors and vacationers, regarding the rich historical heritage of the district with the assistance of its more than a hundred volunteers.
Back in1986, the Gaslamp Archway idea was conceived along 5th Avenue and L Street to serve as an emblem of declaration, not just for the Gaslamp Quarter but for the whole city of San Diego, for their resilient devotion and perseverance to a continued redevelopment. The project initially started in 1988. The archway was designed by Arch. Harman Nelson and was constructed by Roy Flahive. And in 1989, the project was formally finished and stood proud for its glory and its magnificent residents.
Decent and family-friendly business establishments began to emerged which clearly indicates that the district’s persona has changed. In the latest database of http://www.iStayGreen.org - the directory of eco friendly hotels - would you imagine that there are almost 200 hotels on or in close proximity to the vicinity of Gaslamp Quarter not to mention lines of restaurants, bars, nightclubs, lounges, boutiques, art galleries and shops. Clearly, Gaslamp Quarter is beginning to build its own title in the sector of local and international tourism as one of several best getaways in the United States.
At present, 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 game held every May, The San Diego Film Festival - voted as one of the most popular 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 be concerned about where to stay, there are lots of San Diego hotels in the area to choose from which fits your comfort.
A little trivia about 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 spot and intersection today features a “Pedestrian Scramble”, similar to a much larger Hachiko Square in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
The Gaslamp Quarter! « Easy Guide to Food And Drinks
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