Description

Louis Rose (1807-1888) is in some ways an example of the fulfillment of the American Dream: a poor Jewish immigrant who fled religious persecution in Europe, came to the United States, and made a success as a businessman and landowner. Born in Germany, Rose immigrated to the U.S. and settled in New Orleans, where he became a naturalized citizen in 1847. He was caught up in the Westward movement, traveling first to Texas, and then to California in 1850. Rose ended up playing an important role in promoting the development of San Diego's economy and its urbanization. At one time he owned 4,000 acres of land, where amongst many other projects, he raised cattle, constructed brickyards, and built hotels and stores. Rose was also one of San Diego's earliest city-boosters and railroad promoters. He played an integral part in developing the transcontinental rail connection which resulted in the huge population boom of the 1880s, and thus laid the foundations for San Diego's modern urban development. Producer Peter Hamlin and historian Clare Crane discuss with their guests the growth of San Diego from the beginning of the American period until the 1880s, emphasizing the increase in ethnic diversity and economic activity, of which Louis Rose was an important symbol. Norton Stern discusses the life and character of Louis Rose, and comments on the significance of his business ventures. Henry Schwartz describes Rose's real estate developments in San Diego, his leadership in the Jewish community, and the plans to move Temple Beth Israel (San Diego's oldest Jewish synagogue) to Heritage Park for use as a community center. Sylvia Arden discusses the diary of Victoria Jacobs, which she edited, and the ways in which it illustrates life in San Diego in the 1850s. Roy Cook comments on the impact of urbanization on rural values, and establishment of Indian reservations in the County. Troy Jordan talks about plans to interpret multi-ethnic history in Old Town State Park, including a proposal to reconstruct the Light-Freeman Saloon, owned and operated by black Americans during the Mexican era. Dick Yale discusses the importance of newspapers in historical research, and describes the old San Diego Herald and some of the humorous articles written for it by Lt. George Horatio Derby. Names mentioned during the program include: Alonzo Horton, James Robinson, Henrietta Rose, Louis Franklin, Maurice Franklin, Mark Jacobs, Charles Fletcher, Allen Light, Henry Delano Fitch, Richard Henry Dana, Richard Freeman, Mary Chase Walker, Helen Hunt Jackson, George McKinstry, Joshua Bean, and John Judson Adams.