Comments on: #21: Emperor Norton

By: Herman

Herman — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 08:56:09 +0000

I can not believe this story, surprising, and probably the craziest thing I’ve ever heard! Search Lakes, Richard, and very well said: What I learned about the emperor, when I saw my Master in American history?

By: “Frisco”? I think not. » San Francisco History Podcast – Sparkletack

Sun, 14 Feb 2010 19:17:43 +0000

[...] moniker of “Frisco” comes straight from the regal lips of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Norton I, Emperor of these United States and Protector of [...]

By: Frown Town » Blog Archive » In San Francisco Salute the Skelleton Emperor

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:50:44 +0000

[...] his funeral. If outlandish tales of days gone by are your favored cup of tea, head on over to Sparkletack.com to learn more about his majesty and a cavalcade of other excentrics and excentricities pulled from [...]

By: Hawwa

Hawwa — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:40:15 +0000

Hi, I’m making a documentary about the “Innovative Mind and Ideas of Emperor Norton” for History Day and I was wondering, could I use a bit of your show in it?

By: Chloe

Chloe — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 22:51:11 +0000

Hi, Richard,

I LOVE this episode! I knew only the part about Emperor Norton being an extravagant character in SF’s history, but not about his life before. And I truly appreciate that “Frisco” edict.I HATE when people call it that!

Suzy is correct in calling it “The City.” I am even okay with San Fran, although I don’t like that much either. But Frisco just doesn’t cut it. No where in “San Francisco” does the word “Frisco” even exist! It’s a misnomer if ever there was (were?) one, in my humble opinion.

There is a pub I’m sure you’ve heard of called Norton’s Vault. I’ve been there on a couple of occasions and enjoyed a pint or two. If only I’d read their website prior to listening to this podcast, I would’ve known who Joshua Norton was. Check it out if you get a chance, although it probably doesn’t have anything there you don’t already know.

http://www.nortonsvault.com

Chloe

By: Emperor Norton Day: “Le Roi est Mort” » San Francisco History Podcast - Sparkletack

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:20:27 +0000

[...] Emperor Norton Day One hundred and twenty-nine years ago today, the Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico crumpled in front of Old St. Mary’s Church on the edge of Chinatown, and died on the way to [...]

By: Something new: weekly Time-capsule podcast, September 15-21 » Sparkletack - the San Francisco History Podcast

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 02:24:12 +0000

[...] began Joshua Norton’s 21-year reign over an amused and tolerant city — and a mostly unsuspecting United States of [...]

By: SFWeekly: “Nonconformity Still Reigns” » Sparkletack - the San Francisco History Podcast

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:53:08 +0000

[...] kooks and characters: In the beginning of our city’s love affair with odd ducks, there was Emperor Norton. A businessman in Gold Rush San Francisco who lost his pants on an investment in Peruvian rice, he [...]

By: douglas.nerad » Sparkletack: San Francisco History

douglas.nerad » Sparkletack: San Francisco History — Wed, 30 May 2007 06:11:59 +0000

[...] I just discovered a podcast blog called Sparkletack that covers San Francisco and particularly San Francisco history. This is the first time I’ve ever been interested in listening to a podcast and so far I’ve been pretty impressed with it. This place has such a colorful wild history that most people aren’t even aware of; check out the American original steam beer or my icon Emperor Norton or America’s first black millionaire. So much. So brilliant. Thank you Richard Miller! [...]

By: richard

richard — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 23:57:27 +0000

yeah, isn’t that great? i keep meaning to have a sign made… or maybe a little card to hand to “offenders”.

in fairness, there’s a good case that the city was being called “frisco” as early as the 1850’s… but does that legitimate it? guess i still have to defer to the emperor.

By: Suzy

Suzy — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 23:57:08 +0000

LOVE the quote about “Frisco.” So true as I continue to correct people. It’s “The City!”

By: vajrabelle

vajrabelle — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 23:56:52 +0000

I don’t know what has happened to R. In life-outside-digital-communications, he is so opposite of smiley-faced emoticons. Is it growth or degradation? And who invented emoticons anyway? Someone in San Francisco probably.

By: richard

richard — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 23:56:36 +0000

thanks, dear! :) i know, it is crazy. his story is just about inexplicable…don’t know if it could have happened at any other place and time, really… and still hard to understand! ganz schön toll aber, oder?

By: Annik

Annik — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 23:56:18 +0000

I almost cannot believe this story, it is amazing – and maybe the craziest thing I have ever heard! Great research, Richard, and very nicely told… Why didn’t I learn about the emperor when I got my masters degree in American history??? ;-)

By: Mat

Mat — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 23:56:02 +0000

I’ve been listening to your show for a few weeks now, and I really enjoy it. This is my favorite episode to date, though. Great work.

By: monika

monika — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 23:55:45 +0000

the royal dogs were called Bummer und Lazarus (i think … =:o)