Top 10 True Western Towns of 2008
Categories: Featured Travel Stories
By: TW Editors 01/02/2008
Given to towns that have made an important contribution to preserving their pasts. We hope this award will encourage federal, state and local governments to continue funding such efforts, as well as inspire Western towns to reward its citizens and visitors alike by showcasing the buildings, sites and artifacts that reveal each town’s historical relevance to our nation.
10. SAN DIEGO, CA
You think “San Diego,” and your mind conjures up images of sunshine, beautiful beaches, a laid back SoCal lifestyle. Or maybe you think of the city’s fabulous zoo, which attracts more than three million visitors per year. Perhaps the area’s huge Navy and Marine bases pop into your head.
You don’t necessarily think “Old West,” do you?
Yet this is a city with incredible history—and a determination to keep it alive through preservation, restoration and development of its resources.
Take the Old Town section, the site of the first permanent Spanish settlement in California (1769). Today, the district is hopping with restaurants and trendy shops, many in authentic or recreated 19th-century buildings. The Old Town State Historic Park, Heritage Park and Presidio Park feature museums and living history exhibits that reveal what life was like in the frontier days. Citizen groups like the Boosters of Old Town and the Save Our History Organization oversee buildings, provide tours, plan and sponsor events, and raise money for preservation efforts.
Then there’s the Gaslamp Quarter in the middle of downtown. Back in the 1880s, it was called the Stingaree, and visitors found lots of ways to get stung—saloons, gambling halls, brothels and similarly sordid places. This magnet attracted businessmen seeking to make an easy buck, including Wyatt Earp, who dabbled in bars, betting, real estate and horse racing.
Over time, the section went downhill (hard to believe); buildings deteriorated, crime was rampant and porn was king. That changed in the 1970s when a coalition of government officials, business leaders and civic groups came up with redevelopment plans. By 1980, the Gaslamp was a national historic district. Within a few years, work had begun to reclaim the area from the dregs. Today, most of the splendid Victorian structures gleam in the sun, converted to new use as residential lofts, galleries, theaters, boutiques and shops.
Another dozen historic districts beyond Gaslamp’s can be found in San Diego. More are in the works.
So the sun shines brightly on San Diego’s heritage and historic preservation. Who needs the beaches?
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Trinidad Colorado! Great choice! Thank you TW editors for choosing Trinidad ... now everyone knows what we've known for a long time. And thanks to all the Trinidad folks who helped you gather the information you needed.
As a Native of Colorado, western slope, I appreciated your choosing Durango and Trinidad! Creede (?) don't know that one, but if it's in Colorado it's got to be OK. However, since Denver is no longer a "cow-town" and the City has become a "little L.A.", we now live in Cody, Wyoming, which IS a cow-town. I am glad to see that others are also seeing the beauty in Cody. Talk about ART, some of the best western art is right here with our galleries and, of course, the Buffalo Bill Historical Center.
Plus, we're only 50 miles from Yellowstone National Park - the recreational opportunities are endless including a number of guest ranches. Come see us; and when you decide you want to stay, come see me at Homestead Realty.
Posting above by stjomo is completely toxic. I have restored one of the oldest homes in St Joseph and can tell you the interest from San Diego, California & Los Angeles is quite stimulating. I have had many guest from the California area visit my home and I have taken most of those guest on a tour of St. Joseph, Missouri and they were awed as if they had seen the glory of God. They wanted to get out of our car and take home tours right there on location. They said St. Joseph is like a fairy tail book with castles upon castles.
I have visited San Diego & Los Angeles and found it to be of no comparison though there are some beautiful architectural structures in Balboa Park in San Diego and a couple of other buildings but in St. Joseph it is spread over the better half of town. One of my friends from the west coast stood in my yard extending each of her arms out, grinning from ear to ear saying, "I had to head east to find the gold."
I had some historians from California asking if they could photograph my yard as their ancestors use to own a Victorian boot company here and they told me my home in Los Angeles would cost 1.2 million as they just looked at one like ours.
Some described the homes in our area as jewels they were interested in investing in. Some were amazed that my home was built in 1848 so I showed them the abstract and the blue print of our Princess Ann. They didn't realize that architecture followed the life of Queen Ann so they were thinking all the houses that have cones on the roofs were the oldest and surprised that many of the homes with mansard roofs were actually older as the Queen Ann's were built in the 1860's.
I had one person from California tell me she was originally from Idaho and I ask her if she was familiar with William Ridenbaugh, "No she replied but she mentioned the Ridenbaugh Canal and I told her you are in the home of the Ridenbaugh's and the Ridenbaugh you have mentioned is the son of William Ridenbaugh whom started the St. Joseph News Press and it was his son that build the Ridenbaugh Canal.
My friends from San Diego were surprised to learn that it was seven nuns from Kirksville Missouri that founded their town. They were amazed to learn that some of the most elite of society has come from Missouri and not surprisingly many from St. Joseph.
You will not be disappointed to visit St. Joseph, Missouri as it is totally exciting here, from a photographers point of view. ;>)
So glad to see that Trinidad is finally getting recognized for the historical architecture and scenic beauty that we have enjoyed for years. www.SouthernColoradoRealty.com is a great way to check out real estate listings in the Trinidad, Colorado area.
PROPERTY VIDEOS at www.ranchviews.com
Las Animas County and Trinidad Colorado are great places to live and retire. We came here 9 years ago and found incredible land, lower prices, and taxes so low that they almost don't exist.
The area weather is great with an even four season climate. 82 degree average summer temp and 50 degree average winter temp. It snows and stays around long enough for you to have some hot chocolate and say ahhhh isn't that nice. Then, the snow goes away.
Check out some PROPERTY VIDEOs at www.ranchviews.com
Todd Gatza
Broker
Trinidad Land Realty
719 680 0690
You also forgot to mention that the hanging site of Horn is on the second floor of the original courthouse. Just outside the door to the D.A.'s office
st. Joseph is nothing like the city described in this article. The two preservation societies mentioned have disbanded in frustration. Downtown is a ghost town( not one you would like) and preservation is at an all time low. Yes, there are lovely historic homes, if you want to wear blinkers while you drive by crumbling ruins of amazing homes which abound en route to the few which are treated with dignity. If you spend your money to come see a piece of the Old West, you will be in for nothing but disappointment. Try the other nine cities, and skip St. Joseph. We are too busy destroying our heritage here to bother with tourists.