Alonzo Horton bought downtown San Diego for $265
Alonzo Horton arrived in 1867, bought about 800 acres by the bay at auction and built the New Town that became downtown San Diego.
San Diego history
Kate Sessions planted Balboa Park, one tree at a time
Horticulturist Kate Sessions leased land in City Park in 1892 in exchange for planting trees. She is remembered as the mother of Balboa Park.
Ted Williams learned to hit on the playgrounds of North Park
Ted Williams was born in San Diego in 1918, starred at Hoover High and played for the Pacific Coast League Padres before Boston.
John D. Spreckels owned much of San Diego and built a railroad to Arizona
Sugar heir John D. Spreckels owned the Hotel del Coronado, the streetcars and two newspapers, and built the San Diego and Arizona Railway.