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Digital Archives

1887 - City Waterfront

1887 The City Waterfront

The image was taken by Herve Friend, for Douglas Gunn's book 'Picturesque San Diego,' published in 1887. Elisha Babcock and Hampton Story were the founders of the Hotel del Coronado. They built an extensive wharf and a slip for their ferry boat Coronado in 1886 in the harbor to handle the increase in commerce, but it was blamed for restricting free and safe navigation. A lawsuit was brought against Babcock and Story under state law for obstructing navigation, resulting in a verdict and $100 fine.