What happens when a city decides kindness is better than cruelty?

In this special crossover episode of Rainy Day Rabbit Holes, we’re joined by the incredible gals from PNW Haunts & Homicides to explore one of the strangest—and most unexpectedly heartwarming—stories in American history: Joshua Abraham Norton, the self‑declared Emperor of the United States.

Born into loss, fortune, ruin, and obscurity, Norton reemerged in 1859 with a bold declaration that could have ended very badly… except San Francisco leaned in. What followed was a twenty‑year “reign” filled with proclamations, public appearances, political commentary, and a city that collectively decided to play along.

Along the way, we explore:

A Gold Rush city bursting with chaos, ambition, and opportunity
A man who issued decrees abolishing Congress and the Supreme Court
A public arrest that backfired spectacularly
An Emperor who defended immigrants, challenged racist violence, and promoted civil rights long before it was fashionable
A city that fed him, clothed him, saluted him… and mourned him

Was Emperor Norton mad? Satirical? Visionary? Or something else entirely?

And why did San Francisco—of all places—embrace him instead of locking him away?

You’ll have to fall down the rabbit hole with us to find out.

👻 Crossover Love

Huge thanks to PNW Haunts & Homicides, where ghosts, murder, and Pacific Northwest weirdness all hang out together.

👉 Follow and listen at: https://www.pnwhauntsandhomicides.com/

🌧️ More Rabbit Holes

Find sources, photos, episode notes, and more at our website:

👉 https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/

🎟️ LIVE EVENT ALERT

Love strange history in person?

Join us June 3rd in Tacoma, WA for a live event at McMenamins Spanish Ballroom at the Elks Temple:

History Pub: Tacoma’s UFO Story — The Maury Island Incident

Presented by Steve Edmiston, Shea Drury, and Chris Staudinger

🎫 Tickets here:

👉 https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/41193663/history-pubtacomas-ufo-story-the-maury-island-incident-presented-by-steve-edmistonshea-druryand-chris-staudinger-tacoma-mcmenamins-spanish-ballroom-elks-temple

Sometimes the strangest stories are the most human.

Stay curious—and we’ll see you down the rabbit hole.

🐇👑

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