San Diego in the Booming 1880s
A fine panoramic photograph view of downtown San Diego, looking out toward Point Loma, with a completely undeveloped Coronado in the background.
In the 1880s, San Diego experienced a significant period of growth and transformation, driven primarily by the expansion of transportation infrastructure, especially railroads. The arrival of the California Southern Railroad in 1885, connecting San Diego to the transcontinental rail network, played a pivotal role in stimulating the local economy and spurring a real estate boom. This newfound connectivity attracted settlers, investors, and businesses, leading to rapid population growth and urban development. The economic boom of the 1880s positioned San Diego as an emerging hub of commerce and trade in Southern California, setting the stage for its future development as a major city.
The photographer is not identified.
Possibly a later print (circa 1890s-early 1900s), but from the original negative.
Rarity
Original 19th-century photographs of downtown San Diego in the 1880s are scarce in the market.