Ephraim Morse - Move To San Diego

Move To San Diego

The two had both read Two Years Before the Mast by fellow Massachusetts native Richard Henry Dana, Jr., about his voyage by sea to California, spending much time in San Diego, then a small Mexican pueblo. They decided to resettle there for the time being. In April 1850 the two arrived, and opened a store in the settlement of Davistown on San Diego Bay. When Davistown faltered, they relocated to the main center of town, further north on the San Diego River near the old Spanish presidio (fortress).

After a year, Morse found himself recuperated, and decided to return to Massachusetts. Despite a rough voyage via Nicaragua, he returned safely to his hometown of West Amesbury, where he met and married a local woman, Lydia A. Gray. The two lived there until he heard of the sudden death of Levi Slack back in San Diego. He then returned alone to attend his friend's funeral, then came back again in May 1852.

However, the couple had become drawn to the young city's dry, warm climate, and the following year made the journey West again, this time permanently. They were joined by Thomas Whaley and his wife, from New York City. Morse and Whaley jointly operated a store in the town center until 1856, when they split up. In 1859, Morse left San Diego for the open farmland of Palomar Mountain, where he became a farmer and rancher. Morse was also established in beekeeping. He was one of the first commercial beekeepers in the San Diego area and had several hundred hives in various operations.

In 1861, Morse returned to San Diego and started a new business as a merchant, as well as a Wells Fargo express agent, making a name for himself as a prominent local man. In June 1869, he moved to the new development of Horton's Addition, also known as New Town, organized and promoted by the successful land merchant Alonzo Horton. Although many residents of the former town center (known to this day as Old Town) were angered, the new site became the focus of the growing town because it was located on the bay, providing easier access for shipping. He was subsequently joined by Philip Crosthwaite, another early Anglo resident of San Diego. Morse, in conjunction with Horton, did much to promote the new downtown on the water.