History of The Gaslamp Quarter?
Each room is unique in style and focus, and though all the amenities are present, they are discretely hidden from view to retain the charm of the room. (For example, a TV may be found behind the doors of an armoire.) I haven't stayed at this hotel but took a tour soon after completion. One thing I found most interesting was a small book on the mantle piece provided for the guest's comments during their stay. Imagine reading little stories left behind sharing the history of that room.
Luxury: The Grand Horton was originally built in 1887 as a replica of the Innsbruck Inn in Vienna, Austria, in what is called, Italianate Victorian architecture style. The beautiful oak staircase that can be seen in the Palace Bar was sent to Austria to be restored to it's youthful condition.
Blue Collar: Originally called the Brooklyn Hotel, this Cowboy/Victorian hotel built in the late 1880's also, later became known as the Kahle Saddlery Hotel, after the prominent saddle and harness shop that occupied the ground floor in 1912.
Wyatt Earp lived in this hotel most of the seven years he resided in San Diego.
Plans for the demolition of both hotels were halted in 1979 when the City of San Diego bought them.
Unique Quality: The City dismantled the two historical San Diego hotels were and reconstructed them, brick by brick. A glass atrim was built between the two which turned out to be a pretty nice addition. They were place at Fourth and Island Avenue, a quiet side street, in the early days of the Gaslamp Quarter.
One hotel was a 'working man's' hotel and the facade has simple, plain lines. The other hotel, (Pictured here,) attracted the wealthier client and the facade is more ornate.
The second photo shows the "Working Man's Side" of the two hotels used. (4th & Island)
The original names of the two hotels are, The Grand Horton Hotel which opened in 1886 and the Brooklyn Kahle Saddlery Hotel which opened during the same time period to accommodate the great surge of people moving into the area.
The restaurant in the hotel is 'Ida Bailey's' named for the Infamous Madame of The Yellow House, one of the classiest brothels in San Diego, popular during the time Wyatt Erap lived here.
The Palace Bar, once a favorite 'watering hole' for the locals, and a beautiful oak staircase are situated in the hotel as well. In the bar area, on some afternoons, High Tea is served.
FYI:
There was a small sample of the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum dedicated to the Chinese laborers, who helped build San Diego in the early days, located in the atrim. I don't know if it is still at the Hotel Grand but it does have it's own building at 404 Third Avenue, San Diego, CA 9210, which is about a block away. So, worth a stop while staying at the Horton Grand. The admission is about two dollars.
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Horton Grand Hotel
Horton Grand Hotel
