Document Archives Record
Metadata
Collection |
MS 26 |
Title |
Alonzo and Lydia Knapp Horton Collection |
Object type |
Documents |
Catalog Number |
MS 26 |
Creator |
Horton, Alonzo E. |
Other Creators |
Horton, Lydia Knapp |
Year Range from |
1863 |
Year Range to |
1976 |
Scope & Content |
Abstract: This collection contains deeds and business correspondence of Alonzo E. Horton and some personal papers of Alonzo E. Horton and Lydia Knapp Horton. Biographical/Historical Notes: Alonzo Erastus Horton, known as the "Father of San Diego," was born in Union, Connecticut on October 24, 1813. He moved to Wisconsin in 1836, where he founded and developed the town of Hortonville. In 1850, he sold those lands and moved west to San Francisco to take advantage of the gold boom, and he found success selling supplies to miners and running a used furniture store. In 1867, he turned his attention south to San Diego, where he bought 800 acres of public land at auction for $265. Two years later he bought an additional 160 acres to complete Horton’s Addition in New San Diego. Horton was an active promoter and returned to San Francisco with maps and brochures to pitch the growing city. He partnered with San Diego businessman Ephraim W. Morse and sent him a stream of tourists, settlers, and speculators. In addition to selling his lots at high profit, Horton encouraged community growth by donating lots to religious organizations, building the wharf at the end of Fifth Avenue, opening the first bank in New San Diego, and helping to promote and finance a post office, a telegraph line, and increased railroad service. He lost most of his holdings after a series of real estate boom-and-bust cycles and by 1903 he was left dependent on the income of his third wife, Lydia Knapp Horton. Alonzo died on January 7, 1909. Lydia Knapp Horton was born Lydia Maria Smith on August 7, 1843 in West Newbury, Massachusetts to Daniel and Charlotte Bailey Smith. She moved to San Francisco in 1868 and then San Diego in 1869 with her first husband, Lieutenant William Knapp. They had two sons, William Bailey and Philip, and in 1877 Lydia and the boys moved back to Massachusetts, where she supported them by teaching art and selling paintings. In 1885 William died, and in 1888 Lydia returned to San Diego to settle her business affairs. She decided to stay, and took up an art instructor position at the Southwest Institute. In 1890, she married Alonzo Horton, whose second wife, Sarah, had died the previous year. Lydia was active in San Diego civic life, particularly the Wednesday Club and other women’s organizations. She was instrumental in founding the San Diego Public Library and was on the board of the 1915 San Diego Exposition. In 1903, she went to work as Librarian of the State Normal School to supplement her husband’s sudden loss of income. She supported them until after his death, and in 1910 she was able to retire with financial support from her sons. Lydia remained active in San Diego civic life until she suffered a stroke in 1924. She remained in ill health till her death on October 17, 1926. Scope and Content: This collection contains deeds and business correspondence of Alonzo E. Horton and some personal papers of Alonzo E. Horton and Lydia Knapp Horton. Alonzo’s correspondence is primarily addressed to Ephraim W. Morse regarding real estate development in San Diego. Personal papers of Alonzo include records of memorials enacted in his honor and extended family information. Personal papers of Lydia Knapp Horton include correspondence and an autobiographical note, as well as several papers from the extended Knapp family. |
Quantity |
0.5 Linear feet (1 box) |
Notes |
Collection processed as part of grant project supported by the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) with generous funding from The Andrew Mellon Foundation. |
Finding Aid |
http://www.sandiegohistory.org/archives/archivalcollections/ms26 |
Names |
Horton, Alonzo E., 1813-1909 Horton, Lydia Knapp Morse, Ephraim W. |