Louis Rose facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Louis Rose
Born	March 24, 1807 Neuhaus-an-der-Oste, Germany
Died	February 14, 1888(1888-02-14) (aged 80) San Diego, California

Louis Rose (born March 24, 1807 – died February 14, 1888) was an important early developer of San Diego, California. You can still see his legacy today! The neighborhood of Roseville in Point Loma is named after him. So are Rose Creek and Rose Canyon, which are natural areas in San Diego.

Early Life and Arrival in San Diego

Louis Rose was a German Jewish immigrant. He was the first known Jewish resident in San Diego. He came to San Diego in 1850. He traveled all the way from New Orleans, Louisiana, through Texas, by wagon train. He arrived just as California became a state in 1850.

Community Leader and Public Service

Louis Rose quickly became an active leader in San Diego. He was part of the first grand jury in the county. He also served on the first County Board of Supervisors. From 1853 to 1855, he was the President of the Board of Trustees for San Diego. He also helped with the San Diego School Board. Rose even volunteered during the Garra Indian uprising, helping to keep the peace.

Building the Jewish Community

Louis Rose was very important in starting and growing San Diego's Jewish community. Jewish holiday services were held in his home. The Hebrew Benevolent Society, a group that helped people, was also started at his house. He generously gave land for the first Jewish cemetery. Even though he wasn't a rabbi, he led a Jewish wedding for the community. Rose was also a founding member of Congregation Beth Israel (San Diego). This congregation later became Temple Beth Israel, which is San Diego's largest synagogue.

Family Life and Legacy

Louis Rose was married twice. His first marriage was in New Orleans. Later, in San Diego, he married Matilda Newman, a local widow. They had two children. One child passed away very young. Their second child, Henrietta Rose, became a school teacher in San Diego. She never married. Louis Rose was buried in the Jewish cemetery he helped create. Later, the cemetery was moved, and his original headstone was lost. A new one was placed by people who wanted to honor his memory.

Key Contributions to San Diego

Louis Rose understood that good transportation would be vital for San Diego's future. In 1855, he helped start the San Diego and Gila Railroad. He was the treasurer for this project. However, the railroad was never actually built.

Founding Roseville

In 1866, Rose bought land and created a new town. He called it "Roseville." This town was next to San Diego Bay on the Point Loma peninsula. He planned the streets and built a wharf, which is like a dock for ships. He believed Roseville would become a big city. For a while, it was a separate town. It even competed with San Diego's New Town, which is now Downtown San Diego. Rose hoped to connect Roseville to a railroad. Many people doubted his plans, but he always said, "Just wait a while and you will see." Eventually, Roseville became part of the city of San Diego. Today, a special plaque marks where Roseville was founded in 1869. You can find it at the corner of Rosecrans Street and Avenida de Portugal.

Postmaster and Rancher

Louis Rose also served as the postmaster at Old Town, San Diego. He held this important job from 1873 to 1883. It was a big honor because he was a lifelong Democrat. Yet, Republican presidents appointed him to the role.

Rose Creek and Rose Canyon in San Diego are named for him. In 1853, he bought 650 acres in the canyon. He had a ranch there and even a tannery, which made leather. He also tried to find gold and copper, but he wasn't very successful. The money he made from the tannery helped him build the wharf and plan the town of Roseville. Louis Rose passed away in 1888.

Remembering Louis Rose

• In 1934, a special monument plaque was placed to honor Louis Rose. It was on U.S. Highway 101. Even though the highway is gone, the plaque is still there. You can find it on the campus of the University of California, San Diego.
• In 2004, a place called Louis Rose Point was dedicated in his honor. It's located at the foot of Womble Street, in an area now called Liberty Station. In 2011, another plaque was placed there, and two rose bushes were planted in his name.
• The "Louis Rose Society for the Preservation of Jewish History" is named after him. This group works to keep Jewish history alive.
• A school in Point Loma, Cabrillo Elementary, has a special connection with a school in Neuhaus-an-der-Oste, Germany. This is the town where Louis Rose was born.

See also

• Louis Rose: San Diego's First Jewish Settler and Entrepreneur by Donald H. Harrison (2004). ISBN: 0-932653-68-5
• Biography (San Diego Historical Society) from Smythe's History of San Diego, pp. 285–286
• Heilbron, Carl (1936). History of San Diego County. San Diego Press Club. Biography, p. 210
• Louis Rose Society for the Preservation of Jewish History