StingareeĪlong with respectable merchants, a red-light district known as the Stingaree emerged (named for the stingrays in San Diego Bay) in early New Town. The name "New Town" was lost over the years as the rest of the city grew but with great insight, the city kept the Victorian feel for most of this area, including the design of the signature Gas Lamp Street lights, hence giving the area its name. In contrast to the much older original Spanish settlement of "Old Town", in "New Town" the city installed about 50 Gas Lamp Street lights to light up this new modern part of the town. Within a few years, the area began to thrive. But in 1867 Alonzo Horton, known as the father of downtown, purchased several hundred acres of waterfront property and built a wharf at the end of 5th Avenue and began to develop what was called "New Town". Originally the center of San Diego was located in what today is still known as Old Town. In those early days, although they couldn't seem to get the city built, they were successful in making a great habitat for the local rabbit population - hence the nickname. Prior to 1867, the area which today makes up downtown San Diego was jokingly known as "Rabbitville" due to many failed attempts by early settlers to build a city on San Diego Bay. 10 Fun Things to Know About the Gaslamp Quarter Rabbitville
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