A SNACK FIT FOR AN EMPEROR
Emperor Norton Original San Francisco Sourdough Snacks

You’ll love these crisp, tangy morsels of real sourdough bread, sprinkled with cheese and seasonings. Try them as a change of pace from potato chips or corn chips.

A TRUE STORY…

Mark Twain called him “a lovable humbug.” San Francisco called him their favorite eccentric. He called himself Norton the First, Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico, empowered by an act of legislation in 1853. Wherever he went, Joshua Norton was welcome. His personal scrip was honored by local merchants. His proclamations were printed by leading newspapers. He ate in all the finest restaurants and slept in the finest hotels for free – because the kind people of San Francisco had accepted him as their Emperor.

While enjoying the social benefits of being an Emperor, Norton also presented some reasonably sound ideas of a more civic nature. Among his suggestions was a proposal for a suspension-span bridge to be built across the very spot where the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge now stands. He presented remarkably similar plans to what was built 60 years after his death. Was that just a coincidence?

Around the same time Emperor Norton was enjoying his royal status, Forty-niners brought something of great value around the Horn in earthenware crocks. Miners guarded it as they did their gold. It was passed on from generation to generation. It was sourdough starter, and it was – and is – the only leaven that can be used to make real sourdough bread. Now it comes to you in two tasty flavors, Emperor Norton Original San Francisco Sourdough Snacks and new Ranch Flavor. Enjoy!

Emperor Norton was as much a part of San Francisco as sourdough bread, during his reign of around 40 years. For some additional fun and interesting facts about Emperor Norton and his quirky lifestyle, visit zpub.com/sf/history/nort.html.