Louis Rose (March 24, 1807 – February 14, 1888) was a pioneer developer of San Diego, California.

Arriving just as California became a state in 1850, he was a member of the first grand jury and first County Board of Supervisors.

Rose was central in the establishment and development of San Diego's Jewish community.

Rose was a founding member of Congregation Beth Israel (San Diego).

Later in his life, in San Diego, Rose was introduced to and married a local Jewish widow, Matilda Newman.

She was buried in an unmarked grave until the Louis Rose Society for the Preservation of Jewish History purchased a headstone, which was dedicated in partnership with the school district, the teachers union, and the Eastern Star Masonic Organization of which she was president of a lodge.

[4] In the process, Rose's original headstone was lost; later one was put in by people who knew him only by historical reputation and wished to honor his memory.

With his associate James W. Robinson, Rose founded the San Diego and Gila Railroad in 1855 and served as its treasurer.

In 1866 Rose bought land and laid out a town he called "Roseville" adjacent to San Diego Bay on the Point Loma peninsula.