Wyatt Earp's Historic Gambling Hall & Saloon

During the time of Wyatt Earp, the town of Stingaree and the saloon were besieged by frequent criminal activity. However, the town would not stay this way for long.

In the 1970s, there was a movement to revamp the area of the Stingaree and New Town, turning toward development and the preservation of historic locations. These locations included the gambling hall and saloon as well as other historic Gaslamp Quarter buildings that helped to show off the architecture and lifestyles of the now-bygone era.

The modern-day Gaslamp Quarter is full of refurbished Victorian-style buildings and other attractions focused on history education, many of which tell the tale of Wyatt Earp and the legacy he left behind in San Diego.

Now, the gambling hall is remembered for the role it played in the development of early San Diego neighborhoods, as well as how far the city has come since then. Restoration, beautification, and urban development efforts have all brought the Gaslamp Quarter into a new era which looks very different from its past. But it’s important to remember that the old bones of the neighborhood still remain, and to consider what it would have been like to live during the time of the saloon’s operation.

It is perhaps for this reason that the Gaslamp Quarter has become such a hub of rich history, telling the stories of all kinds of characters from San Diego’s past. When you walk through the neighborhood, you can take advantage of the many opportunities for getting to know the area’s history in the form of museums, landmarks, and other attractions.

While the Wyatt Earp Gambling Hall and Saloon museum is currently closed, there are still plenty of ways to experience the story of the area during your visit to San Diego. The Gaslamp Quarter is teeming with local history, as represented in its authentic restored architecture that remains alongside more modern buildings.

Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation

The Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation embodies its mission of preserving San Diego’s early history while also making information about this period of time more accessible to the general public. They have many educational and outreach events throughout the year, and they’re the best available resource for more information about Wyatt Earp and his saloons.

In addition to their historical records and walking tours, the Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation is also responsible for the care and maintenance of the Davis-Horton House and other local landmarks.

The historical foundation offers custom tours based around learning more about different subjects, including Wyatt Earp. On the tour, a guide will lead you through various historic sites in the Gaslamp Quarter that are connected to the Wyatt Earp story. These guides have plenty of insightful information to offer, so don’t be afraid to ask questions if you’re interested in learning more about the saloon and other buildings in the area.

Walking, Scooter, and Car Tours

History is everywhere in the Gaslamp Quarter, and this is never more apparent than when you take one of the many tours through the neighborhood.

In addition to the custom walking tours offered by the Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation, others that offer more information about life in the late-1800s include the San Diego: Downtown and Gaslamp Loop Scooter Tour and the GPS Talking Tour Cars: Downtown & Gaslamp Loop.

If you’re planning on trying out a tour or another of the attractions around the Gaslamp Quarter, consider pre-purchasing a Go San Diego Pass, which can help you score big discounts on admission prices for various popular museums, attractions and events throughout the city. You can save even more when you buy your pass through us, check out our page with all the details on what is included with the Go San Diego Pass as well as an exclusive discount for our users.

Did you Know?

Wyatt was lucky during the few gun fights he took part in from his earliest job as an assistant police officer in Wichita to Tombstone, where he was briefly deputy U.S. marshal. Unlike his lawmen brothers Virgil and James, Wyatt was never wounded.

Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House

The Davis-Horton House, previously known as the William Heath Davis House, is one of the oldest surviving structures in San Diego. It is a great way to take a peek back through history and get to know the time during which Wyatt Earp lived.

The building currently houses the Gaslamp Museum, which brings different eras of history to life in each of the exhibit rooms. It is a nationally-known museum that gets thousands of visitors each year, and the extensive history on display is truly impressive.

The Davis-Horton House features guided and self-guided tours of the various exhibits inside the Gaslamp Museum. There is also a rotating exhibit that focuses on a specific era or motif of San Diego history that changes every few months, so be sure to check the official website to see what’s currently running.

The gambling hall and similar buildings are a great way to begin immersing yourself in San Diego’s unique culture and history. Use this as a jumping-off point to explore more of the city and enjoy the exciting stories that help to make San Diego what it is today.

Electrical Boxes on Fifth Avenue

Fifth Avenue in the Gaslamp Quarter features a series of electrical boxes adorned with historic photographs and fun facts. These include images of Wyatt Earp as well as other tidbits of San Diego history.

Best Time to Visit

Since most ways of learning more about the gambling hall and saloon involve walking tours, we think the best time to visit San Diego is in the fall, when the weather is warm enough to be comfortable but cool enough that you won’t be too warm if you’re not used to the SoCal summer climate.

San Diego is known for having mild days and cool nights, so really any time you visit could easily include a sunny day in the Gaslamp Quarter exploring the history of Wyatt Earp.

Don’t just limit yourself to the Gaslamp Quarter for your next visit to San Diego. The year-round mild weather in San Diego is perfect for taking a walk through nearby Balboa Park or exploring the rest of Downtown San Diego as well!