United States Chambers of Commerce. San Diego Chamber of Commerce

Historical Note

Alonzo Horton established the San Diego Chamber of Commerce on 20 January, 1870, making it the second chamber of commerce on the west coast. Initially, the Chamber sought to promote San Diego as a place to live; it even created the first City Directory in 1874. In order to endorse San Diego, it advocated events such as the 1915 World Exhibition in Balboa Park. It also encouraged the establishment of military bases in San Diego. In 1917, during World War I, the city approved the creation of a Marine base and Naval Hospital. Later, in 1919, the United States Navy made San Diego the home base of its Pacific Fleet. Eventually Point Loma became the site of the Naval Training Center, and Miramar gained prestige as a naval air station. In 1942, the Navy acquired land that would later become Camp Pendleton. Hence, San Diego had firmly established itself as a major military center, which increased the overall prosperity of the county.

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