Downtown San Diego History | News 8 Throwback Special

Like many downtown areas in the United States, San Diego has had boom and bust cycles. From the 1860s to the 1990s, we explore the history of the Gaslamp Quarter and downtown through our vast archive. You’ll see a bustling downtown in 1960 film, run down and seedy in the 70s, rising again in the 80s, and thriving in the 90s. Our reporters have covered it extensively through the decades and we’ve picked out stories that delve into issues occurring at the time.

[generay]

This is such a blast from the past. Thanks for posting. I used to run around downtown back in the early 80’s Although I moved away in 99, I still miss San Diego every day.

[brianchisnell]

Horton built his 2nd home on 1st. Between Fir and Grape. He built his mother- in- law a house on the property right on the corner of 1st and Fir. Big two story. My Grandparents lived there. All torn down mid 60s 😢

[briangarza]

What a blast from the past!! Lived here all my life, used to see the Bruce Lee movies at the Balboa, james Bond movies at the California theaters, Walt Disney movies at the Fox theaters, those were the days.

[ladyrose]

@24:56 That Keating building was used in the Simon & Simon tv show filmed of course in Los Angeles, but did have some outdoor scenes showed for the show, from San Diego. Check out the opening credits for that show.
BTW I use to go to downtown San Diego Gaslight district for dining and some entertainment including shopping at the old Horton Plaza mall in the 1990's

[hallala]

25:42 the building on the right was sold in a no bid secret auction to the former SD mayor, Maureen O'Conner's sister... The city had to settle with the store owner that was bellow the hotel (ferris and ferris) for a substantial amount. They moved him accross the street, next to Cincos, which he co-own and the new store was sandwitched between Cincos and the pizza place that he also owned! He would have paid 4 times as much for the building that he had one of his businesses in, and the city, in addition to leasing him the new space and subsidizing his rent paid him $1M to settle! That was in 1991! He built another restaurant in half of the space given to him for the store and sold all 4 businesses in early 2000s and moved back home to Dearborn! The building on the left used to be a bank, then opened up as Injun Joe, but the name was changed to Buffalo Joe's since Injun was a slur! Thanks for posting! The KFMB reporters from back then were like family!

[normdavis]

13:00 I loved Horton Plaza. It was a great shopping center with fun walkways and many different levels. Now in 2023 that area has returned to a homeless blight - even worse than it was in this footage from the late seventies.

[johnjaco]

So sad to see it now, spent lots of time downtown in the 60's-70's.

[marcoantonio-dfmr]

San Diego what a beautiful City love the 🛣️

[ShakeMyWay]

The women were of questionable character? But, the men frequenting them didn't get a word? Hmmm.

[marcoantonio-dfmr]

Good thing they destroy that half block.👍🙏🗣️✔️🇺🇲 Clean again

[SSMONTECARLO]

@ 4:08 Anthony Bourdain's Brother from another Mother