Joshua Abraham Norton was a successful nineteenth-century
businessman who lost his fortune and his reputation.
Norton turned up a few years later wandering San
Francisco's streets destitute... and arguably insane. He marched into a
newspaper office with an "Official" Proclamation declaring
himself the First Emperor of the United States (and Protector of Mexico.) The
San Francisco Bulletin whimsically printed it on the front page …the rest is
history.
With the re-building of the Bay Bridge there is a plan
afoot to name it after our beloved Emperor… Oakland is less than keen on the
idea.
You can learn more about Norton at the San Francisco
Magic Parlor this weekend!
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