Our Mission Old Town The mission of California State Parks is to provide for the health, inspiration and oday’s plaza — education of the people of California by helping T to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological the heart of Old Town— diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities recreates the influences of State Historic Park for high-quality outdoor recreation. 19th-century Mexican and American California.

California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the park at (619) 220-5422. If you need this publication in an alternate format, contact [email protected].

CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information call: (800) 777-0369 (916) 653-6995, outside the U.S. 711, TTY relay service

www.parks.ca.gov

Old Town San Diego State Historic Park 4002 Wallace Street San Diego, CA 92110 (619) 220-5422

© 2002 California State Parks (Rev. 2016) O ld Town San Diego State Historic Park A BRIEF HISTORY The small pays tribute to the cultural influences that Spanish Settlement settlement make California special. Restored and In 1769 Spanish initially consisted reconstructed buildings in Old Town San colonization of Alta of the nearby Diego State Historic Park are now museums, California began in San presidio housing shops, and restaurants that capture the Diego with construction a military garrison, energy of the community between 1821 of a military outpost the mission six and 1872. The central plaza is lined with called El Presidio miles inland with buildings — some dating back to the Reál and of Mission Old Town San Diego, 1846 its labor force 1820s — that offer a glimpse of the lifestyles San Diego del Alcalá, of Kumeyaay of both ordinary residents and the most the first in a chain of 21 California missions. Indians, and the port where ships stopped wealthy and influential. Directed by the Franciscan padres, mission to trade for supplies. Indians cultivated crops, Spanish soldiers began building Native Americans manufactured blankets residences below Presidio Hill in the early 1820s. Sun-dried adobe brick was their The Kumeyaay lived and clothing, provided traditional building material, since wood on the San Diego construction labor, and was scarce. Soon five houses belonging to River at a village they raised livestock. the Carrillo (and later Fitch), Ruiz, Ybañez, called Kosa’aay. For Despite Spain’s orders Serrano, and Marron families became the thousands of years, severely restricting trade nucleus of the community. By 1825, the the people migrated with other countries, the adobes formed a rough but orderly street between ocean and Spanish padres exchanged pattern around an open plaza. Two of the mountains —gathering otter skins, cowhides, and finest structures, begun in 1827 and seafood, acorns, and tallow for manufactured the necessities of life. goods and luxury items Today a native-plant from the United States, landscape marks part Europe, and China. of the territory of The Mexican that early settlement Period before arrival of the Kumeyaay Indians drawn by artist In 1822 a Mexican Spaniards. At first, with the 1849 U.S. Boundary military command the Spanish settlers Commission expedition arrived in San Diego. were welcomed by the Mexico had gained its Kumeyaay, but challenges to traditional ways increasingly independence from affected their lives. Kumeyaay culture proved resilient, and Spain the previous year. today many Kumeyaay proudly continue their traditions with modern adaptations. Living History participants still standing today, belonged to José States ended in 1848 with the signing community. In the U.S. census of 1860, only Antonio Estudillo and his brother-in- of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, seven individuals identified themselves as law, Juan Bandini. establishing a new boundary merchants. Fire was a constant threat, and in Residents and visitors often between the two countries. the 1860s one misfortune after another struck. enjoyed the customs and festivities James Marshall’s gold discovery The storms of 1861-62 brought high tides and of San Diego. The open plaza at Coloma in January 1848 lured flooding. In May of 1862, a severe earthquake hosted fiestas, bullfights, games adventurers from around the was followed by a smallpox epidemic. of chance, and other amusements world. San Diego became an Several years of drought devastated Southern that offered the opportunity important stopover for miners California’s ranchos and its cattle industry. for betting. en route to the gold fields, In 1867 San Franciscan Alonzo Horton arrived and immigrants crowded into in San Diego to begin building nearby New The American Period available housing. Adobes were Town. Old Town enjoyed a slight resurgence in San Diego’s Mexican era ended remodeled, and new structures abruptly in 1846, when the United were built. In 1851 prefabricated States declared war on Mexico. Commodore Robert F. Stockton wood-frame buildings, brought by Initially the residents made little ship from New England around Cape resistance to American occupation, but Horn, were assembled in San Diego. the situation eventually turned San Diego Following the Mexican War, California families against one another. Some remained experienced a major political transformation — loyal to Mexico, while others supported a new State Constitution written in 1849 and the United States. The town was occupied statehood in 1850. San Diego was incorporated and won back several times — one major as a city, and new American laws governed battle took place in nearby San Pasqual San Diego. Valley. In 1846 U.S. Navy Commodore The decline of the military presence and Robert F. Stockton captured San Diego. the loss of business related to gold mining Reproduction of Seeley line mudwagon at the The war between Mexico and the United soon turned San Diego into a small, insular Seeley Stables Museum 1868 when the San Diego Union newspaper as “’s Marriage Place.” Its success at section’s appearance as a “Spanish village” began publication there. From 1868 to 1874, attracting visitors led to the restoration of in the 1930s. Albert Seeley operated a thriving stagecoach other buildings, which Old Town San Diego became a State line between San Diego and . Gold helped renew interest Historic Park in 1968; the process of was discovered in nearby Julian in 1869, creating in San Diego’s Spanish rediscovering and preserving the historic a need for supplies, services, and housing — a and Mexican roots. town began anew. boon to San Diego’s economy. Auto touring brought However, New Town quickly eclipsed the still more visitors, CLIMATE older settlement. Government offices moved and several buildings San Diego’s mild temperatures offer ideal to the new community, taking along much of were constructed visiting conditions year-round. With an Old Town’s economic base. Hope for Old Town’s to enhance the old average of only ten days of annual rainfall, revitalization died in the spring of temperatures vary from the high 60s to the 1872 when fire destroyed seven low 80s throughout the year. Coastal fog buildings, including the usually burns off in the afternoons. old courthouse. LIVING HISTORY Restoration The history of Old Town San Diego comes In 1907 sugar magnate John D. to life through its museums, period Spreckels purchased the remains demonstrations, entertainment, programs, of Casa de Estudillo and began and other activities. the first efforts to revive Old Town. Guided walks reveal Old Town’s story, Public fascination with Helen and living history interpreters give faces Hunt Jackson’s romantic novel, and voices to the people who shaped the Ramona, led to the restoration town. Visit some of the oldest buildings and of Casa de Estudillo, advertised historic sites in California. Top: Casa de Estudillo; Bottom: Auto touring, ca.1920s NEARBY STATE PARKS PLEASE REMEMBER • Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve • All natural and cultural features of the and State Beach park are protected by law and may not 12600 North Torrey Pines Road be disturbed or removed. San Diego 92037 (858) 755-2063 • Except for service animals, dogs are not • Silver Strand State Beach permitted in park buildings. All dogs 5000 Highway 75, Coronado 92118 must be on a six-foot-maximum leash. (619) 435-5184 • Tijuana Estuary Natural Preserve / • Riding bicycles and skateboards is not Border Field State Park allowed within the park. 301 Caspian Way, Imperial Beach 91932 • When parking in the area, lock your (619) 575-3613 vehicle and take any valuables with you. • San Pasqual Battlefield SHP • Open containers of alcohol are not 15808 San Pasqual Valley Road permitted in the park. Escondido 92027 (760) 737-2201

Living History: an educational tour listens to a school teacher from 1865 Today’s plaza remains the heart of Old Town, allowing visitors to discover the lives of those who came before them and to better understand California’s beginnings.

This park is supported in part through a nonprofit organization. For more information contact: Boosters of Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, 4002 Wallace Street, San Diego, CA 92110-2743 www.boostersofoldtown.com to 8 , San Diego Jackson Street de Alcala Mission La Casa de (6 miles) Carrillo Juan Street Old Town San Diego State Historic Park

Presidio Hills Golf Course

Taylor Street Sunset Street

Calhoun Street

Mason Street

Native Lot F to Landscaping Wallace Street Presidio Park and Taylor Street Junipero Serra Museum McCoy ACCESSIBLE FEATURES House Parking and outdoor restrooms are accessible. (Museum) Silvas Site 20 Lot E The park’s seven city blocks have generally Transit Juan Street accessible pedestrian passages that are closed Center La Casa de Alvarado to private vehicles. Call (619) 220-5422 well Garden Street 21 Alvarado in advance to arrange accessible tours. For Saloon updates, visit http://access.parks.ca.gov.

Calhoun Street 18 Robinson Rose Blackhawk House 19 Livery Stable Congress Street Congress (Visitor Information Center) Mason Street 17 Wallace Street Historic Tustin Carriages Windmill La Casa de Plaza de las Armas/ Johnson (Exhibit) Machado y Building Wrightington W ashington Square Historic Transit 1 Carriages Cannon Flag La Casa 16 Lot 2 Pole de Bandini/ (Exhibit) San Diego La Casa de Machado y Cosmopolitan House Hotel Seeley 3 Silvas/Commercial Lot D Juan Street Stable Corral U. S. House Restaurant (Museum) (Museum) to 4 Old Beach Road Gardens Los Angeles ATM La Casa La Casa de Rodriguez/ 5 First San Diego de Estudillo Racine and Laramie Twiggs Street Courthouse (Museum) 15 (Museum) Colorado House Garden (Museum) Jail 14 Lot A 5 6 Pedrorena- 7 Altamirano Pedestrian Mason Street House 13 S A N D I E G O F R E E W AY Underpass School San Diego Union (Museum) Building (Museum) 8

9 Dodson 10 Law Office La Casa Mason Street de Machado y Garden 11 Stewart Trimmer- (Museum) Dodson Building

Pacific Highway Pacific Smith Street 12 San Diego Avenue

22 to Harney Street El Campo Santo Transit Congress Street Cemetery Lot Whaley House Lot B Museum

Mason Street Concession-Operated Buildings (Historical name in parenthesis)

1 Tafoya & Sons 13 Miner’s Gems & Minerals 0 100 200 300 Feet (La Casa de Machado y Wrightington) (Pedrorena-Altamirano House)

0 25 50 75 100 Meters 2 San Diego House Coffee & Tea 14 Toler’s Leather (San Diego House) 5 15 Old Town Theatre 3 Tinsmith (U.S. House) Twiggs Street 16 Cosmopolitan Hotel & Restaurant 4 Racine & Laramie Tobacco (La Casa de Bandini) Legend (La Casa de Rodriquez) 17 Johnson House 5 Wells Fargo History Museum (Johnson Building) Oceanside 0 10 20 Mi Freeway (Colorado House) 0 30 Km2010 18 California Indian Market & Jewelry Cleveland Streets S A N D IE G O F R E E W AY 6 Cousin’s Candy (Alvarado Saloon) 78 Escondido NF 7 Threads of the Past: Living History 19 RUST General Store Encinitas Accessible Pedestrian Path Activity Center (La Casa de Alvarado) Pacific San Pasqual 78 Julian Ocean Battlefield SHP Rail Line 8 Toby’s Candles & Soap 20 Fiesta de Reyes 5 Shops & Restaurants 15 Ramona Cuyamaca 9 El Centro Artesano Del Mar Rancho SP Fence 21 Barra Barra Saloon 67 10 Captain Fitch’s Mercantile Torrey Pines Miramar 79 Parking Lot Boundary 22 Wallach & Goldman Square SNR NAS 11 Gum Saan (Dodson Law Office) 8 Shops & Restaurants La Jolla Adobe Wall 12 Proper Wellness Emporium Cleveland (Trimmer-Dodson Building) NF 1821-1872 Historic or San Diego Reconstructed Building Old Town San Diego SHP Other Building Silver Strand SB Jefferson Street 805 Imperial Beach CA Parking Tijuana Estuary NP Border Field SP Tijuana MEX Restrooms to Downtown Conde Street Old Adobe San Diego Chapel © 2007 California State Parks (Rev. 2016)