Producer Peter Hamlin and historian Clare Crane discuss with their guests the growth of San Diego from the 1860s to 1900, a period which was most notable for the boom of the 1880s following completion of the railroad to San Diego. The great increase in population and real estate development that resulted from the railroad's nationwide advertising campaign made possible the financing of urban necessities and amenities such as sewer, water, transit; and the beginning of cultural developments such as musical and literary organizations, parks and opera houses. The foundations of San Diego's urban development were established in this era.

June Reading discusses William Heath Davis, Thomas Whaley, and other early developers in San Diego before Horton came.
Shirley Vance describes Horton's earlier venture in city-building in Hortonville, Wisconsin.
Elizabeth MacPhail recounts Horton's coming to San Diego, purchasing land, promoting urban development, and participating in significant activities in San Diego until his death in 1909; she comments on Horton's character, and his successes and failures.
Frank Curran talks about plans to revitalize downtown San Diego, and points out some of the problems that resulted from Horton's gridiron street layout.

• Multi-Media Collection

• San Diego State University Library and Information Access, Special Collections and University Archives