San Diego stands today as America’s eighth-largest city and a global tourist attraction.
Recently, the Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation Board, alongside dedicated staff, volunteers, museum members, and honored guests, gathered in Pantoja Park to celebrate the life and achievements of California pioneer William Heath Davis, Jr.
This ceremony featured the unveiling of a monument dedicated to Davis and was made possible through the sponsorship of the Kanaka Davis Trust Group and the GQHF.
William Heath Davis, affectionately dubbed “Kanaka Bill,” was born in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1821.
He was a descendant of Hawaiian nobility, tracing his lineage through his grandmother, Mahi.
His grandfather, Oliver Holmes, held the position of Governor of Oahu in the early 1800s, serving under the rule of King Kamehameha I.
William was the son of ship’s captain William Heath Davis, Sr. and Hannah Kalikolehua Holmes, who was also the daughter of Oliver Holmes and Mahi.
Tragically, Davis’ father passed away shortly after his birth.
His mother subsequently married John Coffin Jones, Jr., who became the father figure in Davis’ life.
At the age of nine, Davis first journeyed to California as a cabin boy aboard the ship Louisa.
He returned to California again in 1833 and made a permanent relocation to Yerba Buena (modern-day San Francisco) in 1838.
While in San Francisco, he worked for his uncle, Nathan Spear, to learn the intricacies of trading and business operations.
By 1840, displaying notable navigational skills, he guided John Sutter up the Colombia River, leading to the discovery of gold that ignited the California Gold Rush.
Davis and his brother Robert capitalized on this newfound wealth by establishing a successful trading enterprise that facilitated the movement of military supplies between California and Hawaii.
He also invested in real estate in San Francisco and became a member of the San Francisco Town Council.
In this capacity, Davis emerged as a prominent businessman and community leader, contributing significantly to society by establishing the first public and Catholic schools in San Francisco.
He even received an offer to run for Governor but chose to pursue a partnership with three other businessmen instead.
Alongside these colleagues, he aimed to create a new town along the San Diego waterfront.
Davis’ wife, Maria de Estudillo, was the niece of prominent civic leader Jose Antonio Estudillo, who served as one of the original alcaldes (mayors) of Old Town San Diego.
Familiar with the area due to familial ties, Davis partnered with Andrew B. Gray, a surveyor for the National Boundary Survey between Mexico and the United States, in this ambitious venture.
Their group also included Jose Aguirre, Miguel Pedrorena, and T.D. Johns.
Together, they purchased 160 acres from City Trustees for $2,304, encompassing the land bounded by Broadway, Front Street, and the waterfront.
At only 28 years old, Davis stood as the wealthiest member of the partnership, leading much of the development efforts.
With a vision for the town, he constructed a wharf and warehouse at Market Street’s foot, facilitating the arrival of goods and supplies.
Additionally, he imported ten modest saltbox-style, prefabricated houses, originally shipped from Portland, Maine, intended for Gold Rush miners, to house future residents of Davis’ New Town.
Among the earliest buildings erected was Davis’ home at the corner of State and F Streets, where his first child was born.
He also built an identical structure at the corner of State and Market Streets.
This second building eventually relocated to 11th Street and is currently situated at 410 Island Avenue, home to the Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House.
However, unforeseen challenges struck the fledgling community.
A catastrophic fire ravaged the San Francisco warehouse that held Davis’ trade goods, resulting in a staggering loss exceeding $700,000.
With limited resources and a timeline that grew short, Davis was compelled to abandon his dreams for the town.
The once-promising development around Pantoja Park faded into a ghost town.
Subsequently, Davis managed his father-in-law’s vast cattle ranch and played a crucial role in laying out the city of San Leandro.
As a recognized authority on land titles, he also engaged in real estate dealings and property appraisals.
After years under both Mexican and American rule, Davis recounted his experiences in his memoirs, which were published in 1889 under the title ‘Sixty Years in California’.
William Heath Davis passed away on April 18, 1909, at the age of 87 in Hayward, California.
Years later, in 1867, another San Francisco businessman, Alonzo Horton, took notice of San Diego’s potential.
Horton shared Davis’ vision of creating a new waterfront city.
However, the landscape had changed; the Civil War had ended, the Gold Rush excitement had dwindled, and an influx of people sought sunshine and new opportunities in the growing West.
As the legacy of pioneers like Davis continues to shape San Diego, the recent monument unveiling affirms the lasting impact of his contributions to the area’s early development.
image source from：timesofsandiego
