Louis J. Wilde was an American

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 banker and Republican politician

Politician

A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...

  from California

California

California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...

. Wilde was born in Iowa City, Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa

Iowa City is a city in Johnson County, State of Iowa. As of the 2010 Census, the city had a total population of about 67,862, making it the sixth-largest city in the state. Iowa City is the county seat of Johnson County and home to the University of Iowa...

 in 1865. After living in Rochester, NY, Philadelphia, and St. Paul, Minnesota, he moved to San Diego

San Diego, California

San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...

 in 1903.

He intended to spend only a winter in San Diego, but liked it so well that he stayed and went into the real estate and banking businesses. In San Diego he organized four banks, built the city's first modern apartment house, built the Pickwick Theatre, raised money to complete unfinished U. S. Grant Hotel

U. S. Grant Hotel

The U.S. Grant Hotel is a historic hotel in downtown San Diego, California. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is 11 stories high and has 270 guest rooms in addition to meeting rooms and a ballroom.-History:...

, and, in 1914, urged renaming D Street to Broadway..

The 1917 race for mayor was a classic "Smokestacks vs. Geraniums" debate, with Wilde calling his opponent George Marston

George Marston

George White Marston was an American politician, department store owner, and philanthropist. Marston was involved with establishing Balboa Park, the San Diego Public Library System, and the Serra Museum...

, owner of the local department store, "Geranium George." Wilde's campaign slogan, in his outspoken, flamboyant manner, was "More Smokestacks", which was demonstrated during the campaign when he drew a great smokestack belching smoke on a truck through the city streets. Wilde, with the support of unions and business, won and was re-elected two years later, serving as mayor of San Diego during 1917–1921.

As mayor, Wilde was outspoken and not afraid to say what he thought, and had a sense of humor. Whenever he spoke, he drew crowds. During a council meeting in 1920 he grabbed a gavel and lunged at a councilman scolding him for bereating a reporter, and mashed his own finger and injured his leg. After that date he refused to enter city hall. He conducted business through a messenger from the U. S. Grant Hotel.

In 1920 Wilde organized the Community Oil Well Company to drill for oil in San Diego County

San Diego County, California

San Diego County is a large county located in the southwestern corner of the US state of California. Hence, San Diego County is also located in the southwestern corner of the 48 contiguous United States. Its county seat and largest city is San Diego. Its population was about 2,813,835 in the 2000...

.
No oil was found, of course, and the San Diego Suns investigation accused the venture of improper spending.
Wilde decided to not run for a third term in 1921, under a cloud of scandal. He left town and moved to Los Angeles

Los Ángeles

Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...

, where he died 1924.

Wilde had two children (Donald Wilde and Richard Edward Wilde,Sr) by his first wife, Mamie Shaffer and two children (John D Wilde,Sr(Jack)and Lucile Wilde) by his second wife, Frances O'Brien.

Quotes

External links

• Louis J. Wilde (1865–1926) San Diego Mayor (1917–1921) San Diego Historical Society. Adapted from Obituary in The San Diego Union April 19, 1926.