Empire Day Dedication & Celebration of Emperor Norton Place
Left to right: (1) Emperor Norton, between spring 1871 and spring 1872. From carte de visite by Tuttle & Johnson studio, 523 Kearny Street, "Heliographic Artists." Collection of the California Historical Society. (2) Emperor Norton Place street sign, at the northwest corner of Montgomery and Kearny Streets, San Francisco. (3) Eureka Lodgings building, 624/626/628 Commercial Street, San Francisco, early 1906. Detail of photograph credited to Treu Ergeben (T.E.) Hecht (1875–1937). Photo #AAB–3457, San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection, San Francisco Public Library. Source: SFPL
Free Public Event to Mark the City and County of San Francisco’s Commemorative Naming of the 600 Block of Commercial Street
IN LATE 1849, an English Jew named Joshua Abraham Norton (1818–1880) arrived in San Francisco and quickly established himself as a successful merchant and investor in commodities and real estate.
After a series of business reverses that led to his bankruptcy in August 1856, Joshua Norton on 17 September 1859 publicly declared himself "Norton I, Emperor of the United States" — a few years later adding the title "Protector of Mexico."
Over the course of 20 years, Emperor Norton — as he was less formally known — distinguished himself as an early champion of the values of fairness, tolerance, self-determination, and the common good that are so strongly associated with his adopted city.
In so doing, he became — and remains to this day — one of San Francisco's favorite folk heroes.
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EMPEROR NORTON is documented to have lived in the Eureka Lodgings, at 624 Commercial Street between Montgomery and Kearny Streets, from sometime between late summer 1864 and late summer 1865 until his death in January 1880.
The building was destroyed in the earthquake and fires of April 1906. Today, the site is home to a 4-story building at 650 / 652 / 654 Commercial Street — next door to the intimate oasis of Empire Park.
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EARLIER THIS YEAR, in April, the City and County of San Francisco honored Emperor Norton by adding Emperor Norton Place as a commemorative name for the 600 block of Commercial Street — and shortly afterward placed an "Emperor Norton Place" street sign at the northwest corner of Montgomery and Commercial.
The public is invited to...
THE DEDICATION & CELEBRATION OF EMPEROR NORTON PLACE
Sunday 17 September from 1 to 4 p.m.
Formal dedication from 1 to 1:30 p.m.
Northwest corner of Montgomery & Commercial Streets
Events and games to follow
Free admission
In September 2015, The Emperor Norton Trust launched September 17th — the anniversary of Joshua Norton's original Proclamation publicly declaring himself Emperor on 17 September 1859 — as a new holiday called EMPIRE DAY.
This year, Empire Day marks the 164th anniversary of Emperor Norton's public reign.
Following the formal dedication, celebratory events during the afternoon include
Special Sunday opening of the San Francisco Historical Society Museum, at 608 Commercial Street, with:
Exhibit of original Norton ephemera — cabinet card photographs; Norton "bonds" signed by the Emperor; etc.
Exhibit of 1930s sculptures of Emperor Norton by Peter Macchiarini (1909–2001)
Fun educational Norton-focused activities for kids
Historical plaque scavenger hunt
Docent-led Museum tours
Commemorative Norton coin-pressing by sculptor and artisan Danny Macchiarini
Emperor-inspired art by Misstencil
Games for all ages hosted by the Emperor Norton Legacy League in Empire Park
Music by the San Francisco Lesbian / Gay Freedom Band
More details are coming! Stay tuned!
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Individuals from the following organizations and projects contributed to planning for this event:
Office of San Francisco Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin
The Emperor Norton Trust
San Francisco Historical Society
Emperor Norton Legacy League
E Clampus Vitus, Yerba Buena Lodge No. 1
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