Ephraim Morse - Development of San Diego

Development of San Diego

From the beginning of his time in San Diego, Morse took an active role in local political affairs. In 1852 he was elected associate judge of the court of sessions, and also that year to the secretary of the board of trade, as which he served for 12 years. From 1858–1859 he served as San Diego County treasurer, and again from 1861–1863. From 1866–1867 he served as city trustee, in which capacity he sold many lands to Horton. He also served as public administrator from 1876-1877. However, he did not wish to become a politician, and only served in public office if he felt it would be necessary. Thus he did not seek any higher office.

However, his varied efforts did much to promote San Diego's name throughout the nation and help it mature into a thriving metropolis. In 1870, he organized the city's first bank, the Bank of San Diego, and in 1871 he went to Washington, DC to present information about San Diego's pueblo land interests. Like many local businessmen, he gained much wealth during the city's land boom in the early and mid-1880s, only to lose much of it when the boom collapsed at the end of the decade.

He also became a tireless promoter of attracting a railroad to the steadily growing city, starting by organizing the San Diego & Gila Railroad Company. In October 1879, while he was serving on the Citizens' Committee, representatives of the Santa Fe Railroad visited San Diego, and Morse enthusiastically promoted the city's virtues. The railroad company was soon convinced, and in 1881, the California Southern Railroad, a subsidiary of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, began building a line northward from San Diego to connect with the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad in present day Barstow in 1885. The rail connections to Los Angeles were completed by 1887.

Morse was also admitted to the bar in 1856, and from 1880 to 1886 he capitalized on San Diego's growing land interests as a member of the real estate firm Morse, Whaley & Dalton. He also invested much and heavily promoted the San Diego Flume Company, which helped provide much-needed water for the arid city.

One of his most lasting achievements was the promotion of local open space for public enjoyment, resulting in the current Balboa Park, one of the city's most beloved attractions. He joined with Alonzo Horton in 1868 to propose the establishment of a park reserve of 1400 acres; the San Diego Board of Trustees adopted the proposal and the land became the nucleus of City Park, later renamed Balboa Park.