And arrive they did. The men and women who make up the history of the Gaslamp Quarter and the beginnings of San Diego were indeed full of energy and ambition, and clearly saw that the city was in the wrong place. In retrospect, it seems a natural assumption to place the city by the bay. But if you close your eyes and imagine the flat, barren land with no natural vegetation or fresh water sources, you can see why it took great vision and courage to attempt to found a modern city in a location with almost no natural resources.

The Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation celebrates the founding of modern San Diego from the earliest attempts to the current successes. In telling the stories of the land, the buildings, and the people, we gain insight into an ever-evolving city where the past and the future come together to create San Diego, "America's Finest City".