Historic Yuma Building
100 years ago, this building was a common playground for Wyatt Earp in what was known as the Stingaree; and has the dubious distinction of being the first brothel to be shut down during raids in 1912. Captain Wilcox, an entrepreneur and River Boat Captain was the developer of this building. He married a prominent local citizen of Mexican heritage and had a fancy ranch east of Downtown. The Yuma Building was one of the first brick buildings built in San Diego. Today the Yuma building is a contributor to the Historic Gaslamp District; a National Historic District.
Captain Wilcox arrived in 1849 at the helm of the U.S. Invincible. The ship brought the engineering crew that attempted to turn the San Diego River into False Bay, now known as Mission Bay. The building is called The Yuma because of Captain Wilcox's business connections in the Arizona town.
1880's
San Diego's booming prosperity attracted prostitutes and gamblers, including Wyatt Earp, who ran three gambling halls. Gradually, San Diego commerce began moving north of Market Street. The abandoned area to the south became a redlight district known as the Stingaree, a name probably derived from the fierce stingray fish in San Diego Bay. It was said "you could be stung as badly in the Stingaree as in the bay."
Gaslamp Townhouse
633 5th Avenue San Diego, CA 92101
phone: 619-239-0084
email: info@gaslamptownhouse.com
