Alonzo Horton was born in Union, Connecticut in 1813. Even as a young man, he displayed an remarkable ability to be resourceful. He worked in various capacities, including a grocer, school teacher and constable. He traded in wheat, cattle, ice and furniture. He lived by a credo: "To be as happy as I can every day, and to try and make everyone else as happy as I can, and try to make no one unhappy."

In 1847, inspired by the then movement of "Go West Young Man", he left the East Coast and headed for Wisconsin. There he purchased 1500 acres of land for 70 cents per acre, approximately 60 miles southwest of Green Bay. With its location on a river, he recognized its potential. He built a sawmill and a steamer landing and mapped out a small town, which he named "Hortonville". It was not long before it became inhabited by settlers building modest homes and stores from lumber purchased from his sawmill. Growing restless, he sold his interest in the community in 1852 and headed for California to join in the Gold Rush. It did not take him long to figure out that there was more money to be made in the buying and selling of gold than by digging for it. He quickly became very successful financially.

While on a return trip to the East Coast in 1857, he experienced a traumatic event. Traveling aboard a Panama bound ship, he was carrying $10,000 in gold dust in his baggage and another $5,000 in a money belt. While in a hotel in Panama, disaster struck him and fellow travelers. Besieged by a mob, Horton fired a pistol, and fatally wounded eight people before the mob retreated. Horton led the other passengers safely back to the ship. In the process, however, he had to leave his luggage, including the $10,000 in gold dust, behind. Horton was said to have been deeply upset by his necessary but unfortunate actions that day.

In 1862, he married Sara Babe Horton and returned to San Francisco and opened a thriving furniture business. It didn't last long though, as the restless Horton began to look for new opportunities. In 1867 he attended a lecture on the need to develop ports along the Pacific coast. San Diego was prominent, as it could become the first major American port for sailing ships traveling up along the West Coast of the Americas. Inspired by that potential, he sat up all night mulling over his next move. Within three days, he had sold his assets in the furniture business.

On April 15th, he landed in San Diego, following the dusty route from Point Loma into the dirt streets of Old Town. His first impression of San Diego was not positive. When asked by a local person if he liked the town, he replied "I would not give you five dollars for the whole of it. It doesn't lie right. Never in the whole world can you have a city here." A further investigation brought him to the location of Davis "New Town" and he quickly recognized the potential of a city by the bay.

His enthusiasm dissolved when he discovered that all of the land nearby was publicly owned. An election would be required before any could be sold. That same day, Horton paid $10.00 to hold election. Thirty days later, the election had taken place and a land auction set. At that time, Horton purchased 960 acres, adjacent to Davis previous subdivision, for 27 1/2 cents an acre. He quickly had the land surveyed, and mapped out blocks 300 x 200 feet, with lots 50 x 100 feet. The blocks were shorter than in most cities. His experience in Wisconsin had taught him the value of corner lots.

Horton's next move was to open a sales office on Montgomery Street in San Francisco. It was not long before lots were selling briskly. His marketing strategy was simple: If not satisfied at the end of 1 year's time, he would buy back the property for whatever had been paid on it; free lots were given out for the building of churches; enough whitewash would be given to cover the two sides of a homeowners house facing the bay. Business was brisk.

Horton decided that 5th Avenue should become the Main Street of his new city. To assist in the arrival of prospective land purchasers, he built an extensive wharf into the bay at the front of 5th Avenue. Horton's bank quickly followed, and then the Horton House Hotel was completed. An attractive park was centered in front of the hotel to provide an impressive ambiance for its guests. That hotel was located where the U.S. Grant Hotel now stands.

Horton's timing was good. Shortly after beginning the development of his new city, gold was discovered in the nearby hill town of Julian. Many prospectors came, but the mines were worked out within 2 years.

The 1880's were boom years for Horton. His biggest asset was the completion of a railroad from the East. The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad arrived to a brand new depot amidst much celebration in 1885. People were now arriving daily in droves. The 1880's brought much growth and land speculation to San Diego. Elegant new buildings now replaced earlier wooden structures. Horton's bank financed much of this new development. But 1888 saw the end of land speculation. The bubble burst, and a depression hit San Diego very badly. By the following year, the population was reduced from 40,000 down to 16,000 as speculators and businesses moved to other locations. Horton was left holding the deeds to a great deal of property upon which taxes had to be paid. Suddenly, he was broke.

As a gesture of goodwill, the city fathers offered to assist him by purchasing the park in front of his hotel and offered him the choice of $10,000 or $100.00 per month. He chose the latter. At 79 years of age, city officials figured he would not live much longer. He surprised them by living to the ripe old age of 96 years, and the city wound up paying the full $10,000 for the land.

His last wife, Lydia Knapp Horton remarked that when his much beloved "Horton House" hotel was torn down in the early 1900's to make way for the U.S. Grant Hotel, he was not sorry, "to the contrary, he was glad to see the fine new building go up". He died in 1909, penniless, but extremely proud of the beautiful city he helped to build. Thanks to his efforts, he will forever be known as Father Horton, the founder of modern San Diego.