Reports, news, and stories on quirky roadside attractions! Not all tips verified -- call ahead! Submit your own tip.
Results 11 to 15 of 126...[Previous 5 items] Page of 26 [Next 5 items]
Lots of men can lay claim to the fact they once were presidents of this great country. But how many people have ever been crowned "Emperor of the United States?"
As far as we know, only one, and it happened in 1859.
His name was Joshua Norton and he migrated from England to San Francisco in 1849. A "mini-Bill Gates" of the day, Norton quickly amassed a small fortune only to see it all slip away by 1858, when he found himself penniless.
Vacating society for nine months, Norton returned in 1859, proudly clutching a written proclamation declaring him "Emperor of the United States," as duly appointed by the citizens of this great land. The San Francisco Bulletin (a regional newspaper at the time) printed Norton's bizarre announcement.
More astounding was the fact that San Franciscans citywide embraced Norton's reign. A local print shop circulated monetary notes (the same as cash) in Norton's name. With said "legal specie," the self-proclaimed emperor was able to dine at the finest of restaurants and shop in the most extravagant markets. The Grand Hotel provided free lodging.
During his tenure, Norton singlehandedly dissolved congress, eradicated the union, worked toward relieving the Bible of what he deemed "false lights" and pronounced himself official "Protector of Mexico." Among Norton's lesser accomplishments was a moratorium on the word "frisco" (which San Franciscans despise). According to royal decree, anybody found using the repugnant "f word" would be fined twenty-five dollars which, of course, was retained by the coffers of the imperial treasury.
Norton dressed ornately in regal naval attire, performing daily "inspections" of local neighborhoods. According to the tale, our one-time emperor had more sway with people than you might imagine, calming would-be rioters using nothing more than words.
In 1880, Norton collapsed and perished. During a funeral befitting a king, a procession two miles long was comprised of more than thirty-thousand mourners. a local business association outfitted Norton with the finest of rosewood caskets, while San Francisco, itself, footed the bill for his funerary service and regional newspapers ran obituaries with headlines reading the likes of "the king is dead."
Norton l's grave is at the Woodlawn Cemetery.
[Paul Bottini, 06/27/2008]Emperor Norton Grave:- Address:
- 1000 El Camino Real, Colma, CA
- Directions:
- In Woodlawn Cemetery, which is on the west side of El Camino Real, just south of F Street. Norton's place of interment is slightly to your left and near the rear of the expansive property.
- Hours:
- Gated after hours. (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
- Phone:
- 650-755-1727
- RA Rates:
- Worth a Detour
- Felton, California - Roaring Camp Railroads - Thomas the Tank Engine
1880s steam trains through the California Redwoods are located in Felton, California (between San Francisco and Monterey) just north of Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay. Also offers trains from the redwoods to the beaches of Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay. Roaring Camp is the Northern California home to Thomas the Tank Engine, with a two week festival at the end of July with real Thomas train rides.
[Augie, 04/20/2005]See Giant Redwoods by Train:- Address:
- Graham Hill Rd., Felton, CA
- Directions:
- Roaring Camp Railroad. SR-17 to Scotts Valley Exit 3 Mt. Hermon Rd., northwest 3.5 mi to Felton. Mt. Hermon Road ends at Graham Hill Rd. Turn left on Graham Hill Rd and drive 1/2 mile to Roaring Camp on right.
- Hours:
- Train times vary between 11-3:30 pm. (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
- Phone:
- 831-335-4484
- Fiddletown, California - Chew Kee Store, 1855 Chinese Herb Shop
The "Chew Kee" is a rammed-earth structure established as a Chinese herb shop during the Gold Rush. Dr. Yee Fong Cheung, an herb doctor who ran the store in its early years, came to America to administer to the medical needs of the Chinese miners, then later tended to the Chinese railroad workers. In the 1880s a man known only by his store name of "Chew Kee" owned the shop and provided groceries and supplies to the Chinese community. By 1910, however, only four Chinese-Americans resided in Fiddletown. In 1922 Chew Kee deeded the property to his adopted son, Fong Chow Yow, also know as Jimmy Chow. Jimmy Chow worked in Fiddletown, living in the old herb store until his death in 1965.
"Chew Kee" remains largely intact as one of only four remnants of the once-thriving Chinese community in Fiddletown.
[Natalia Aguilera, 07/02/2013]1855 Chinese Herb Shop:- Address:
- Fiddletown Rd, Fiddletown, CA
- Directions:
- On the north side of Fiddletown Rd just east of its intersection with Jibboom St.
- Hours:
- Apr.-Oct. Sa 12-4 Local health policies may affect hours and access.
- Admission:
- Adults $2.00
- Glendora, California - Moreton Bay Fig Tree
There is a Moreton Bay Fig Tree which is over 140 years old on Santa Fe Avenue in Glendora. It was planted in the late 1880s by Mr. Edgar J. Owens, one of Glendora's early residents.
[Ruth E. Jones, 04/27/2021]Big Moreton Bay Fig Tree:- Address:
- 665 South Santa Fe Ave., Glendora, CA
- Directions:
- Big Tree Park. On the northeast corner of W. Colorado Ave. and S. Santa Fe Ave.
California Historical Landmark #245: "Mussel Slough Tragedy - Here on May 11, 1880, during a dispute over land titles between settlers and railroad, a fight broke out in which seven men-two deputy U.S. marshals and five ranchers lost their lives. The legal struggle over titles was finally settled by a compromise."
[Pamela L, 08/11/2020]1880 Mussel Slough Tragedy:- Address:
- 5827 14th Ave., Hanford, CA
- Directions:
- Historical marker NW of town, north of Flint Ave. on 14th Ave.
[Previous 5 items] Page of 26 [Next 5 items]
99 feet tall, 47 feet wide, so big that the park around it has had to be expanded twice. Known locally as "Big Tree."