Dale Says

When the new section of the Bay Bridge opens this year, connecting the East Bay to Treasure Island, only a few people will know or care that it really should be called “The Emperor Norton Bay Bridge.”

Joshua Abraham Norton, the self-proclaimed Emperor of the United States, was a well-known and well-loved citizen of San Francisco in the mid-1800’s, and he once issued a decree calling for a bridge to built across the bay (along with a tunnel to be built under the Bay). These were not the only decrees Emperor Norton issued during his reign; he also call for the U.S. Congress to be dissolved.

As these things go, Norton was not always an Emperor. He started life in England, and his parents moved him to South Africa when he was a boy. He inherited $40,000 when his father died, and he used that money to come to the U.S. and start a business importing rice from Peru. He was a failure, lost all his money, and unsuccessfully sued for recovery of his money. That effort seemed to affect him, and after a lengthy absence he returned to San Francisco and lay claim to the position of Emperor of the United Sates.  He later declared he was also the “protector” of Mexico.

Given military uniforms by the army stationed at the Presidio and by local citizens, the “Emperor” would roam the streets of San Francisco, dressed like a crazy soldier and checking the cleanliness of the streets, and subjecting all passing policemen to inspections. He was beloved by most San Francisco locals, who gave him clothing and food, and by local restauranteurs, who loved having him dine at their establishments and often installed plaques proclaiming that the Emperor dined there. Local newspapers often reported his activities, usually with a positive slant. He was the genesis for characters in several books, including works by Mark Twain and Robert Louis Stevenson.

On January 8, 1880, Norton collapsed on a street corner, near Old St. Mary’s church in San Francisco. He died before medical treatment could reach him. The following day, nearly 30,000 people packed the streets to pay homage to him.

The San Francisco Chronicle wrote an obituary about Norton which declared “The King is Dead,” and said in part “On the reeking pavement, in the darkness of a moon-less night under the dripping rain…, Norton I, by the grace of God, Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico, departed this life.”

Since his death, Emperor Norton has had a great deal of infamy in San Francisco.  He is well-known by most locals, and he is honored by street tours, plaques and signs, local cartoonists (including Phil Frank) have paid homage to him, and there is a website (www.emperornortonbaybridge) that tells his stories and declares the Bay Bridge should be named after him. 

Though some people over the years have considered him insane (or at least eccentric), he is beloved by the citizens of San Francisco.  We love him for protecting people of all races, and for his belief that all people have a right to freedom and happiness.  And maybe we love him because we are a little bit like him.