San Diego Reader

On the Tunies production line (undated photo).

San Diego businessman C. Arnholt Smith bought some local canneries in 1948. In a 1992 interview, he told the Reader:

"One guy who worked for us got the bright idea of making hot dogs out of tuna for the Catholic trade. They were called Tunies. They tasted and looked just exactly like a hot dog. Actually tasted better than a hot dog, I think. The poor guy worked his brains out perfecting that. They were in the store, but they just didn't seem to take over."

You can purchase this photo at the San Diego Historical Society Reaserch Library or online at www.sandiegohistory.org. For more information call 619-232-6203 ext. 127.