
Louis Bank of Commerce, San Diego
Builders of the Hotel del Coronado and of the Keating Building, the Reid brothers can also take credit for this Baroque Revival treasure: a stately, four-story twin-towered Victorian structure nicknamed the "Queen of the Gaslamp". Constructed in 1888, it was the city's first granite building, but what sets it apart is rather the ornate nature of the trim work. Of special note are the ornate bay windows that project from the façade – you won't see many better examples than this!
Having started out as the official headquarters of the Louis Bank of Commerce, the building was used for banking purposes until 1893, when famous entrepreneur Isidor Louis opened an oyster bar that used to be frequented by such famed people as Wyatt Earp. In fact, there has been some speculation as to how involved Wyatt may have been in the local operation of a particular business inside the location. The upper floors were turned into what used to be known as the Golden Poppy Hotel – a famous house of ill repute that was ran by fortune teller and psychic Madame Cora. Part of what made it so famous was that the girls would wear dresses that matched the color of the room they used to service their clients.
Having started out as the official headquarters of the Louis Bank of Commerce, the building was used for banking purposes until 1893, when famous entrepreneur Isidor Louis opened an oyster bar that used to be frequented by such famed people as Wyatt Earp. In fact, there has been some speculation as to how involved Wyatt may have been in the local operation of a particular business inside the location. The upper floors were turned into what used to be known as the Golden Poppy Hotel – a famous house of ill repute that was ran by fortune teller and psychic Madame Cora. Part of what made it so famous was that the girls would wear dresses that matched the color of the room they used to service their clients.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in San Diego. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from iTunes App Store or Google Play. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Louis Bank of Commerce on Map
Sight Name: Louis Bank of Commerce
Sight Location: San Diego, USA (See walking tours in San Diego)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: San Diego, USA (See walking tours in San Diego)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in San Diego, California
Create Your Own Walk in San Diego
Creating your own self-guided walk in San Diego is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Top Museums Walking Tour
San Diego has over 90 amazing museums. They reflect the wide variety and interests of the region. The museums present a broad range of collections from classic to contemporary art and from natural history to science. Take this self guided walking tour to explore some of the best known museums in San Diego.
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Embarcadero Marina Walking Tour
Adjacent to downtown San Diego and the Big Bay, Embarcadero Marina is a testament to the region's colorful maritime heritage, offering several outstanding ship museums, vibrant waterfront shopping and dining, and pristine views of the city skyline. Its numerous amenities make it the perfect place for a self-guided walk on your San Diego itinerary.
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Old Town Walking Tour
Dubbed as "The Birthplace of California", Old Town San Diego claims to be the first European settlement on the West Coast of the present-day United States and thus, has a long and rich history. It is a charming and happening part of city to stroll around leisurely, with amazing 19th-century houses and lots of local merchants selling unique handicraft items – not to mention the many... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Historic Gaslamp District Walking Tour
San Diego has taken extra efforts to preserve the architectural beauties of times gone by. Historic preservation is, in itself, a major effort and the Gaslamp Quarter – which features one of the largest collections of Victorian commercial architecture in the western US – deserves its due for a job well done.
There are some great restored museum buildings to see, old hotels with a history to... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
There are some great restored museum buildings to see, old hotels with a history to... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Balboa Park Walking Tour
Named after the Spanish explorer Vasco Núñez de Balboa, Balboa Park is one of the largest cultural parks in USA. The park features 15 famous museums, wonderful gardens, renowned cultural venues and the San Diego Zoo. It is a must see attraction in San Diego and plays host to a constant stream of plays, musicals, museum exhibitions and live concerts. Take this self guided walking tour to discover... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
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