Emperor Norton's Walking Tour
One of the most colorful characters in San Francisco’s history can still be spotted walking the streets of the city today despite his having died in 1880. Failed local businessman Joshua A. Norton is better remembered as Norton I, Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico, a title he assume via a self-proclamation published in the San Francisco Bulletin on September 17, 1859. He issue numerous other proclamations during his twenty-one year reign, calling for a br
