Emperor Norton, an eccentric San Franciscan, ordered a bridge built across the bay in 1872.
Emperor Norton's grave at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Colma. He died in 1880.
Posted on 12/16/2004 8:00:52 AM PST by SmithL
The loyal subjects of Emperor Norton were none too thrilled with the idea of sticking his royal highness' name on that big gray thing in San Francisco Bay.
It's every bit as good an idea, said most folks, as Emperor Norton was an emperor.
"Emperor who?'' said Oakland City Council President Ignacio De La Fuente. "You're kidding, right?''
On Wednesday, the day after the San Francisco Board of Supervisors cast its whimsical vote to rename the Bay Bridge in honor of the 19th century eccentric, the rest of the Bay Area seemed ready to return to its senses.
Folks in Oakland, which is the town in charge of holding up the other end of the bridge, said it would be an insult to rename it for a San Franciscan. Folks in San Francisco said there are more important things to worry about. Folks elsewhere in the Bay Area said that a sufficient number of things, such as ballparks and hotels, already have been renamed and enough is enough.
"No offense to the emperor,'' De La Fuente said, "but I don't know who he is. This sounds like a San Francisco thing. I don't really care about this guy. ''
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Emperor Norton's grave at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Colma. He died in 1880.
Maybe I should suggest renaming the mackinaw bridge after "king" Jessie James Strang, the king of Beaver Island.
"Johns said there are more important things to worry about, such as homeless people, crime and why it is costing her $33 to fill the tank of her VW Beetle."
When did the VW beetle get a tank meant for a Hummer?
Don't know why the Board of Supervisors would be bothered, but Emperor Norton was a colorful character among many during the Gold Rush.
Basically, this guy was a fraud, like most people that inhabit san fran. Everyone from the bums on down are frauds.
The 'bums' claim to be Vietnam vets etc, but can't name where they were at, were too young etc. Some claim to be Gulf war vets, but can't seem to figure out where it took place.
I say from the bums on down, because it is all down hill from there for the entire city. I dread even passing through there to other destinations.
Can't we all just get along and rename the bridge the way we want it?! Besides, it's our basic human rights that are at question here! - S.F. Puke
San Fran can also raise some extra cash by peddling the naming rights of the Golden Gate Bridge to Mickey-D's.
His Imperial Majesty, Norton I, has issued the following edict, which he desires the Bulletin to spread before the world. Let her rip!
It is represented to us that the universal suffrage, as now existing through the Union, is abused; that fraud and corruption prevent a fair and proper expression of the public voice; that open violation of the laws are constantly occurring, caused by mobs, parties, factions and undue influence of political sects; that the citizen has not that protection of person and property which he is entitled to by paying his pro rata of the expense of Government--in consequence of which, WE do hereby abolish Congress, and it is therefore abolished; and WE order and desire the representatives of all parties interested to appear at the Musical Hall of this city on the first of February next, and then and there take the most effective steps to remedy the evil complained of.
October 1859
yes, he was. and still is to some.
Is gas in California $16.50 per gallon?
Redundant statement of the day.
---this from the group that is seriously trying to ban all firearms from their city---
And he was in Bonanza also.
Built a bridge and everything!
Nice tagline
Nice tagline
Well, you can start with California's various environmental and tax laws that add significantly to the cost of gasoline in that state.
LMAO. I have a New Beetle and I still fill the tank for under $20 every two weeks. Unless she means she fills it when its nearly empty, that would sound about right.
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