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What San Diego looked like in the 1890s Through Fascinating Historical Photos

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San Diego became a part of the newly formed First Mexican Republic during the Mexican Empire’s formation. Following the Mexican–American War, California became part of the United States in 1848 and was admitted as a state in 1850. Businessman Alonzo E. Horton founded the city of San Diego in 1867, and its growth was supported by its salubrious climate and the arrival of the Santa Fe Railway in 1885.

Due to overspending on a poorly designed jail, San Diego got into financial trouble quickly. San Diego became a state-controlled three-member board of trustees in 1852 after the state repealed its charter, effectively declaring it bankrupt. Trustees controlled the city until 1887, when a mayor-council form was introduced as a new city charter. Although the Mexican-American war ended in Mexico City, San Diego remained vulnerable after the United States administration inherited Kumeyaay control of nearby inland regions. Native American tribes in San Diego County were taxed $600 by the American-led San Diego County in 1851 and faced confiscation of land and property if they failed to pay up. The payment of Cupeño and Kumeyaay was in a currency they weren’t familiar with, which led to a revolt.

During the 1878 gold rush, San Diego’s trading port was predicted to compete with San Francisco’s. The Central Pacific Railroad manager Charles Crocker foresaw that too much trade would be diverted from San Francisco if an extension was built to San Diego. By 1890, San Diego had reached 16,159 people, thanks to the opening of the transcontinental railroad line.

Below are some stunning historical photos that show what San Diego looked like in the late 19th century.

#2 The exterior of the Yuma Building at 631 Fifth Street, between G Street and Market Street, 1891

The exterior of the Yuma Building at 631 Fifth Street, between G Street and Market Street, 1891

10 Points
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#3 Water flowing through a flume in the San Diego backcountry, 1895

Water flowing through a flume in the San Diego backcountry, 1895

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#4 People standing on and below bluffs in Ocean Beach, 1892

People standing on and below bluffs in Ocean Beach, 1892

7 Points
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#5 Japanese sailors from a training ship drilling onshore, 1899

Japanese sailors from a training ship drilling onshore, 1899

7 Points
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#6 San Diego scenery, 1890

San Diego scenery, 1890

Elevated view of the town; shows houses, fields, windmills, dirt streets, commercial buildings, Harbor, and promontory beyond.

6 Points
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#7 View of the Stingaree district of downtown San Diego, 1895

View of the Stingaree district of downtown San Diego, 1895

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#8 Miss Littlefield standing at the entrance to a cabin in Pacific Beach, 1899

Miss Littlefield standing at the entrance to a cabin in Pacific Beach, 1899

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#9 Group of African American men seated at tables in a Masonic Hall, 1895

Group of African American men seated at tables in a Masonic Hall, 1895

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#10 San Diego from Santa Fe Wharf. 69., 1898

San Diego from Santa Fe Wharf. 69., 1898

View of San Diego from Santa Fe Wharf, foot of H Street; shows long white wooden bridge extending into the water; horsedrawn railroad car at left, town buildings beyond in background.

5 Points
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#11 Fifth Street, San Diego, elevated view, 1890

Fifth Street, San Diego, elevated view, 1890

Elevated view of Fifth Street; shows a business section with Italianate style buildings, utility poles, wires, horse-drawn carts, electric street railroad trolley on track, pedestrians.

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#12 Four men standing in front of a San Diego Soda Works delivery wagon at the San Diego Soda Works, 1898

Four men standing in front of a San Diego Soda Works delivery wagon at the San Diego Soda Works, 1898

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#13 People seated on a double-decker San Diego Electric Railway streetcar at Fifth and Market Street, 1892

People seated on a double-decker San Diego Electric Railway streetcar at Fifth and Market Street, 1892

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#14 Celebrating the driving of the last railroad spike in La Jolla, 1894

Celebrating the driving of the last railroad spike in La Jolla, 1894

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#15 Children and adults in bathing suits on the rocks at La Jolla beach, 1897

Children and adults in bathing suits on the rocks at La Jolla beach, 1897

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#16 Flume construction workers under the Los Coches trestle, 1893

Flume construction workers under the Los Coches trestle, 1893

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#19 Estudillo residence stagecoach, 1890

Estudillo residence stagecoach, 1890

View of stagecoach under the veranda in the patio of Estudillo Adobe; shows tile roof of the house in the background, Aloe vera plants in the foreground.

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#20 Water flowing from the Sweetwater Dam spillway, 1890

Water flowing from the Sweetwater Dam spillway, 1890

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#21 The monitor U.S.S. Monadnock in San Diego Harbor, 1895

The monitor U.S.S. Monadnock in San Diego Harbor, 1895

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#22 San Diego Mission was founded in 1769 by Father Junippero, 1890

San Diego Mission was founded in 1769 by Father Junippero, 1890

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#23 Two women standing at the top of windmill overlooking the residence of Matthew Sherman, 1895

Two women standing at the top of windmill overlooking the residence of Matthew Sherman, 1895

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#24 Bernard W. McKenzie seated at a desk in the Western Metal Supply office, 1893

Bernard W. McKenzie seated at a desk in the Western Metal Supply office, 1893

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#25 San Diego Bay 1890

San Diego Bay 1890

View of San Diego Bay with two ships

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#26 San Diego, 1895

San Diego, 1895

Aerial view of San Diego looking over the downtown towards the bay; two Victorian houses in the foreground; two- and three-story commercial buildings towards the bay; Coronado in the distance.

3 Points
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#27 San Diego and bay, 1890

San Diego and bay, 1890

Elevated view of San Diego looking towards the bay; one- and two-story wood buildings scattered towards the bay; ships in the bay and at the wharves; Coronado (left) and Point Loma (right) in the distance.

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#28 Fifth St. San Diego, Calif. north from ‘E’ St., 1892

Fifth St. San Diego, Calif. north from 'E' St., 1892

Fifth street with streetcar rails, horses and wagons, buildings including A. Dorsey & Co. Clothiers, bank (probably First National), grocer, milliner. "A choice line of views of San Diego and vicinity, Backesto Block, Corner Fifth, and H Streets.

3 Points
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#29 Ship Chandlery store, San Diego, 1898

Ship Chandlery store, San Diego, 1898

A. Heath Ship Chandlery store, 624 5th Street; shows three men posed on the sidewalk in front of the store entrance, spools of rope stacked on the cart at the center.

3 Points
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#30 Ship Chandlery store, San Diego, 1893

Ship Chandlery store, San Diego, 1893

A. Heath, Ship Chandlery, 624 5th Street; shows three men posed on the sidewalk in front of the store, window displays in the background.

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#31 San Diego Bay, Point Loma, 1892

San Diego Bay, Point Loma, 1892

View of San Diego Bay, Point Loma from State and Broadway

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#32 Estudillo Adobe, 1890

Estudillo Adobe, 1890

Adobe house exterior, heavy tile roof, peeling white-washed siding exposing adobe bricks; unpaved street in the foreground. Handwritten on the front, "Ramona's Home, Old San Diego."

3 Points
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#33 J.O. Snyder standing with a bicycle on the outskirts of San Diego, 1896

J.O. Snyder standing with a bicycle on the outskirts of San Diego, 1896

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#35 La Jolla Cove, 1897

La Jolla Cove, 1897

Photograph of La Jolla Cove and houses above, taken from a rock formation known as Alligator Head.

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#36 Downtown San Diego from Seventh and Beech Street, 1897

Downtown San Diego from Seventh and Beech Street, 1897

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#37 A small stone dam and reservoir in San Diego County, 1895

A small stone dam and reservoir in San Diego County, 1895

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#38 Native American students and nuns at the Mission San Diego de Alcala, 1895

Native American students and nuns at the Mission San Diego de Alcala, 1895

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#39 View of the piers and wharves of the San Diego Waterfront looking northwest toward Point Loma.

View of the piers and wharves of the San Diego Waterfront looking northwest toward Point Loma.

The photograph caption states Section of San Diego Harbor.

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#40 Exterior of the power station for the San Diego Cable Road at Fourth and Spruce Street

Exterior of the power station for the San Diego Cable Road at Fourth and Spruce Street

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#41 L.N. Skinner Furniture Store, 1890

L.N. Skinner Furniture Store, 1890

L.N. Skinner furniture store located on the southwest corner 6th & Market; shows a one-story brick building, tall arched windows at left, furniture along the sidewalk, three men posing at the center; horses hitched to buggies or wagons left and right; street with railroad tracks in the foreground.

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#42 Horse-drawn coach in front of the San Diego Excursion Bureau, 1895

Horse-drawn coach in front of the San Diego Excursion Bureau, 1895

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#43 Coronado Ferry Company’s Ramona arriving at the company landing in San Diego, 1899

Coronado Ferry Company's Ramona arriving at the company landing in San Diego, 1899

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#44 First National Bank located at 867 Fifth Street, 1892

First National Bank located at 867 Fifth Street, 1892

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#45 Exterior of the A.B. Smith house in Old Town, 1895

Exterior of the A.B. Smith house in Old Town, 1895

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#47 View of Horton Park and Horton House looking northwest, 1895

View of Horton Park and Horton House looking northwest, 1895

Buckingham Hotel is visible on the far left. The spire of the County Courthouse is visible just to the right of the Buckingham Hotel.

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#48 View of the Stonewall Mine in the Cuyamaca Mountains, 1895

View of the Stonewall Mine in the Cuyamaca Mountains, 1895

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#49 San Diego from upper 7th St, the 1890s

San Diego from upper 7th St, the 1890s

Looking southwest, with San Diego Bay and Point Loma in the background.

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#50 Harper Ranch Photographs, 1898

Harper Ranch Photographs, 1898

Two mounted photographs of Harper Ranch, probably the property of Dr. Eli Harper, an early settler in the Cuyamaca area. The first image depicts three people standing in front of a small wooden house, and the second shows another home or farm building. The Harper Ranch was located in Cuyamaca in eastern San Diego County

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#51 San Diego from Sixth and E Street looking north Sherriff, J.A. (John Alexander), 1828-1903

San Diego from Sixth and E Street looking north Sherriff, J.A. (John Alexander), 1828-1903

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#52 Group of Indians at a Cabrillo celebration Patterson, F.E. (Francis Elliotte), 1852-1931

Group of Indians at a Cabrillo celebration Patterson, F.E. (Francis Elliotte), 1852-1931

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#53 Downtown San Diego looking west from 18th and Market Street, 1890

Downtown San Diego looking west from 18th and Market Street, 1890

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#54 A Native American band standing near the Mission San Diego de Alcala, 1895

A Native American band standing near the Mission San Diego de Alcala, 1895

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#56 Railroad tracks leading to the San Diego Brewery, 1897

Railroad tracks leading to the San Diego Brewery, 1897

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#57 Construction workers building the municipal wharf in downtown San Diego, 1895

Construction workers building the municipal wharf in downtown San Diego, 1895

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#58 Exterior of Jim Lee’s Laundry in downtown San Diego, 1895

Exterior of Jim Lee's Laundry in downtown San Diego, 1895

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#59 People riding in a Comstock’s Stagecoach in the San Diego mountains, 1899

People riding in a Comstock's Stagecoach in the San Diego mountains, 1899

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#60 Coronado Ferry Company’s ferry Ramona preparing to dock in San Diego Harbor, 1895

Coronado Ferry Company's ferry Ramona preparing to dock in San Diego Harbor, 1895

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#61 Two women standing at the Ballast Point Lighthouse, 1899

Two women standing at the Ballast Point Lighthouse, 1899

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#63 First National Bank at San Diego, 1890

First National Bank at San Diego, 1890

View of First National Bank at the corner of Fifth and E Streets. It shows a three-story office building with squared bay windows and iron cresting.

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#66 San Diego Mission and olive trees.

San Diego Mission and olive trees.

View of dilapidated mission buildings on the bluff. Olive trees are visible at left and right.

2 Points
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#67 U.S. ship “Monterey” in San Diego Harbor, 1898

U.S. ship "Monterey" in San Diego Harbor, 1898

View of the monitor, "U.S.S. Monterey," in San Diego Harbor. It shows the starboard side with two small boats next to the ship, sailors at the ship's stern.

2 Points
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#68 Smith Pirnie Marble and Granite Works, 1899

Smith Pirnie Marble and Granite Works, 1899

Smith Pirnie Granite Company, 821 D Street, San Diego. Two men wearing derby hats pose in a fenced yard displaying stone tombstones and monuments; angled rooflines of weatherboard buildings and sheds in the background.

2 Points
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#69 Residence of U.S. Grant, Jr. 283, 1893

Residence of U.S. Grant, Jr. 283, 1893

Residence of U.S. Grant, Jr., 1618 Ash Street; shows a three-story Queen Anne style mansion with Craftsman influences, corner towers, multiple roofs, chimneys, circular porch, some shingle siding, retaining wall, and sidewalk supporting raised lawn bed.

2 Points
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#70 Grantville Schoolhouse, 1898

Grantville Schoolhouse, 1898

Teachers and school children in front of a schoolhouse

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#71 San Diego-Julian stagecoach on display outside a building, 1895

San Diego-Julian stagecoach on display outside a building, 1895

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#73 A man standing in the doorway of the Santa Ysabel Dairy, 1895

A man standing in the doorway of the Santa Ysabel Dairy, 1895

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#74 Large number of For Sale signs on a vacant lot with houses in the distance, 1899

Large number of For Sale signs on a vacant lot with houses in the distance, 1899

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#75 View of Old Town’s adobe chapel, Don Rafael’s cabin, stone jail, and graveyard, 1895

View of Old Town's adobe chapel, Don Rafael's cabin, stone jail, and graveyard, 1895

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#76 A man and two women at the Sweetwater reservoir, 1895

A man and two women at the Sweetwater reservoir, 1895

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#77 A man seated in a horse-drawn Bay City Market delivery wagon at the northwest corner of Fifth and G Street, 1895

A man seated in a horse-drawn Bay City Market delivery wagon at the northwest corner of Fifth and G Street, 1895

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#78 People aboard the Pacific Coast Steamship Company’s train at the company’s station, 1895

People aboard the Pacific Coast Steamship Company's train at the company's station, 1895

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#80 Dairy cows at the Duncan Brothers dairy farm in the Chollas Valley, 1895

Dairy cows at the Duncan Brothers dairy farm in the Chollas Valley, 1895

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#81 Queen of the Pacific, 1890

Queen of the Pacific, 1890

The passenger ship docked passengers standing along with the decks and on the wharf; baggage on flatcars being loaded into the ship; lifeboats, smokestack, and riggings visible; masts of the second vessel behind (left).

2 Points
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#82 Horton House, 1892

Horton House, 1892

View of Fifth street scene. Shows Horton House at left; two-story building with gables and awning; other buildings line the street; at right sign for drug store; trolly car in the lane.

2 Points
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#85 View of Rancho San Bernardo with ranch house in the distance, 1895

View of Rancho San Bernardo with ranch house in the distance, 1895

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#86 San Diego Bay and City from Coronado Ferry Slip, 1895

San Diego Bay and City from Coronado Ferry Slip, 1895

View of San Diego Bay and city from Coronado Ferry slip, Orange Street terminus; shows double-decker ferry "Silver Gate" parked in slip (center), smaller "Coronado Ferry" approaching from left; building with three cupolas, Gothic-shaped windows and one dormer in the foreground on the right; railroad car parked on railroad tracks right of building; San Diego City beyond active Harbor in the distance.

2 Points
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#87 Exterior of the Casa de Carrillo at Old Town, 1895

Exterior of the Casa de Carrillo at Old Town, 1895

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#89 Union Building at Third Street and Broadway, 1896

Union Building at Third Street and Broadway, 1896

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#90 Employees of the Equitable Life Insurance Company standing outside their office at 1318 D Street, 1895

Employees of the Equitable Life Insurance Company standing outside their office at 1318 D Street, 1895

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#92 Group of men and women posing for a portrait in the backyard of a house, 1895

Group of men and women posing for a portrait in the backyard of a house, 1895

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#93 San Diego Harbor from Court House. 70., 1898

San Diego Harbor from Court House. 70., 1898

View of the town of San Diego from Court House looking towards Harbor; shows houses and dirt streets in the foreground, commercial buildings, pier, Harbor, Coronado beyond on the left, Point Loma beyond on the right.

1 Point
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#94 San Diego looking northwest from Seventh and Beech Street, 1897

San Diego looking northwest from Seventh and Beech Street, 1897

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#96 Downtown San Diego looking northwest toward Point Loma, 1890

Downtown San Diego looking northwest toward Point Loma, 1890

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#97 Mission San Diego de Alcala prior to restoration, 1890

Mission San Diego de Alcala prior to restoration, 1890

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#99 Bath House, San Diego, 1890

Bath House, San Diego, 1890

View from across the street of Moorish and Mission-style building with turrets and cupolas. Signs of the building read: Los Banos, Salt Water, plunge, baths. Dirt street in the foreground.

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#101 View of Old Town looking north toward Mission Bay, 1898

View of Old Town looking north toward Mission Bay, 1898

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#102 Palm Trees at Old Town, 1890

Palm Trees at Old Town, 1890

View of palm trees growing in Old San Diego. A picket fence surrounds them, a wooden shed at right.

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#103 View of the Hotel Brewster lobby at Fourth and C Street, 1890

View of the Hotel Brewster lobby at Fourth and C Street, 1890

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9 Comments

  3. The San Diego Historical Center is an excellent resource for history enthusiasts. Their journal, which covers topics ranging from the earliest history of San Diego to contemporary times, dates back to the 1950s and is available online. Additionally, they have a vast collection of photos available online.

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