In honor of Presidents’ Day…Joshua Norton, self-proclaimed Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico, cycling through San Francisco. Norton immigrated to San Francisco from South Africa in 1849, made a fortune in real estate, and lost it all on rice. He returned to public attention in 1859, when he declared himself emperor. Among his decrees, published in local papers: the abolition of Congress, and later a call for the US army to forcibly disband Congress in 1860, the dissolution of the republic, voiding of all laws passed by Congress thereafter, and the establishment of an absolute monarchy, as a means of keeping the peace the dismissal of the Governor of Virginia, for hanging John Brown a call for safer cablecars the establishment of his own currency (which actually was accepted locally) the establishment of a universal religion and my favorite, a condemnation of those who call the city ‘Frisco: “Whoever after due and proper warning shall be heard to utter the abominable word “Frisco,” which has no linguistic or other warrant, shall be deemed guilty of a High Misdemeanor, and shall pay into the Imperial Treasury as penalty the sum of twenty-five dollars.” Unsurprisingly, he became a bit of a celebrity and tourist attraction. When he died a pauper in 1880, the area’s businessmen’s association established a funeral fund for him; his funeral procession was two miles long.

In honor of Presidents’ Day…Joshua Norton, self-proclaimed Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico, cycling through San Francisco.

Norton immigrated to San Francisco from South Africa in 1849, made a fortune in real estate, and lost it all on rice. He returned to public attention in 1859, when he declared himself emperor.

Among his decrees, published in local papers:

  • the abolition of Congress, and later a call for the US army to forcibly disband Congress
  • in 1860, the dissolution of the republic, voiding of all laws passed by Congress thereafter, and the establishment of an absolute monarchy, as a means of keeping the peace
  • the dismissal of the Governor of Virginia, for hanging John Brown
  • a call for safer cablecars
  • the establishment of his own currency (which actually was accepted locally)
  • the establishment of a universal religion
  • and my favorite, a condemnation of those who call the city ‘Frisco: “Whoever after due and proper warning shall be heard to utter the abominable word “Frisco,” which has no linguistic or other warrant, shall be deemed guilty of a High Misdemeanor, and shall pay into the Imperial Treasury as penalty the sum of twenty-five dollars.”

Unsurprisingly, he became a bit of a celebrity and tourist attraction. When he died a pauper in 1880, the area’s businessmen’s association established a funeral fund for him; his funeral procession was two miles long.