Louis J. Wilde (July 16 1865–April 18, 1924) was an American banker and Republican politician from California. Wilde was born in Iowa City, Iowa in 1865. After living in Rochester, NY, Philadelphia, and St. Paul, Minnesota, he moved to San Diego 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, 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, 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. No oil was found, of course, and the San Diego Sun's 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, 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.
| “ | Remember, that this is a fight to the last ditch the wage earner, against big interests, high taxes, bond issues and expensive parks and flowers along millionaire row, against big expenditures for the pleasure of a few smug plutocrats. [Arguing for the laborer's vote against Marston] | ” |
| Preceded by Edwin M. Capps |
Mayor of San Diego, California 1917–1921 |
Succeeded by John L. Bacon |