"San Diego" a San Diego Travel Page by seagoingJLW

San Diego has so much to offer. It has great weather, miles and miles of beautiful beaches and lots of attractions that are world famous (like its zoo, Legoland, and Sea World.)

San Diego is California's second largest city and the United States' seventh largest. There are 1.3 million residents within the city and 2.8 million county wide. There are 18 incorporated cities within the 4200 square miles of the county.

History

In 1850, William Heath Davis from San Francisco developed land near what is now the foot of Market Street. An economic depression caused his town to fail and it became known as Rabbitville (after its only inhabitants.)

In 1867 Alonzo Horton arrived and decided to develop the area along the waterfront. n In 1869 he built a wharf at the end of 5th Avenue. On March 24 he sold $5500 worth of commercial and residential lots in one day.

In the 1880s San Diego was booming. It began to move north of Market Street. The abandoned southern area became known as Stingaree.

In 1885, the original Chinese Mission School opened, providing an opportunity for the Chinese ( and later the Japanese) to learn English.

By 1887 there were 350 prostitutes working in 120 bordellos in Stingaree. There were also 71 saloons.

The bubble burst in 1888 when the population declined from 40,000 to 16.000. Then in 1912 the police raided Stingaree and arrested the prostitutes. This caused the Navy to reject San Diego as its favorites port.

In 1920 the Chinese Benevolent Society was founded.