14 Facts About Alonzo Horton

Alonzo Eratus Horton was an American real estate developer in the nineteenth century.

Alonzo Horton taught school there, and in 1834 ran for constable on the Whig ticket.

Alonzo Horton told a large group of citizens in Wisconsin.

In 1851, with his town a success, Alonzo Horton decided to join many in seeking his fortune in the gold fields of California.

Alonzo Horton sold his interests for $7,000, and traveled to El Dorado County, California, the heart of the Mother Lode.

Alonzo Horton is known to have married at least thrice, but relatives claimed he married about five times.

In 1862 Alonzo Horton returned to California, this time to San Francisco, where he opened a furniture and household goods store at 6th and Market streets.

In 1867, Alonzo Horton sold off his merchandise in San Francisco and journeyed to San Diego.

Alonzo Horton helped to establish San Diego's Chamber of Commerce in an effort to further expand the developing city.

In 1867, Alonzo Horton was the first person to ask for a public city park to be developed, which later became Balboa Park.

Alonzo Horton went down in history as a tireless, enthusiastic supporter of the interests of whatever locality he happened to be living in.

Alonzo Horton had an effect on San Diego's political scene; when he moved there in late 1860s, most locals, many of whom had migrated from the South or the border states, had supported the South during the Civil War and were Copperheads, or Democratic sympathizers of the Confederacy in an officially Union state.

Alonzo Horton helped found the first Unitarian church in San Diego.

Alonzo Horton died at age 96 in Agnew Sanitarium, San Diego.