Cosmopolitan Chronicle. True tales from the annals of history, archaeology, construction, and restoration of the Casa de Bandini & Cosmopolitan Hotel.

VOL. IV, No. 1 San Diego, Alta California, September 11, 2009 Price: Free

PINS & THIMBLES. sewing tools and fabric. Some of an accident and Bandini says their garments were purchased, that he is confident Stearns will but some of the garments (for take good care of Arcadia, and Cynthia hernandez. both family and servants) were that the needle fragment that is Archaeological Project made locally by hand. In a letter stuck in her foot will be taken Leader/Interpreter. written in 1839, Bandini asked care of. Stearns to send him some striped cloth to make shirts for the rchaeologists at ASM Indians. In another 1841 letter, Affiliates,subcontractors Bandini wanted some fabric A to the Cosmopolitan because his daughters made Hotel Project, have found metal five blouses, and needed more needlesandpins,andacoupleofmetal material to make more. He also thimbles at the Cosmopolitan Hotel. sent two pieces of white cloth Hand sewing is an art form to his daughter Arcadia, and he that is over 20,000 years old. wanted to make sure she made The first sewing needles were herself a blouse or a skirt. made of bone or animal horns, In May 1840, Bandini says and the first thread was made of that he needed Stearns to send animal sinew. Iron needles were him “6 yellow metal thimbles, invented in the 14th century. not gold, medium size, because The first eyed needles appeared his family really needs these in the 15th century. items.” In 1841 writing from Thimbles found at the Sewing was learned by San Juan del Rio, Bandini CosmopolitanHotelsitearemade girls very early, and taught at asks Stearns for 200 pesos in out of metal, maybe copper or schools and at home. It was a blankets and striped cloth, and some alloy, and they are shorter needed skill because before the another 200 pesos in thread and and thicker than a modern one. invention of the mass production needles, cotton and linen. He The pins and needles don’t look of the sewing machine in 1850, adds that Stearns should not like the ones we use today. ASM all garment making and mending think that Bandini is abusing archaeologist are busy preparing was done by hand. In the 1800’s, Stearns’ kindness because he a final report on the excavations, it was common to designate a is going to marry Bandini’s and will do the last analysis of room in the house as a sewing daughter Arcadia soon, that this needles, pins and thimbles to room. is business and that Bandini tell us more about this mundane, In letters that Juan Bandini intends to pay him as always. In daily activity. wrote to his son-in-law Abel a letter written from San Diego Stearns, one can see the need in 1858, Bandini worries about Bandini’s daughters had for Arcadia’s health because she had Cosmopolitan Chronicle. True tales from the annals of history, archaeology, construction, and restoration of the Casa de Bandini & Cosmopolitan Hotel.

VOL. IV, No. 2 San Diego, Alta California, September 18, 2009 Price: Free

western and heavy vehicles, i.e., dedication to preserve the coach- NINE PASSENGER Covered Wagons, Chuck Wagons, builder trade. Hansen Wheel & Buck Boards, Medicine Wagons, Wagon Shop has developed a MUD WAGON. Stage Coaches and Draft Horse reputation as the leading authority Show Wagons. Their location gives on stagecoach construction. Jeanne akin them the heritage of the pioneers Collaborating with Hansen San Diego Coast District Curator. and cowboys who developed the Wheel and Wagon Works we region in addition to a natural researched the vehicle in the appreciation for the old ways.This historic photograph enlarging and n the historic photograph of area’s historic resources and study pixilating it to view the wagon the Cosmopolitan Hotel you material are used to authentically details and after much research will notice two horse-drawn reproduce the wagons that they and discussion we drew plans and I specialize in. Many Hansen contracted with them to build our vehicles. The vehicles are called Nine Passenger Mud Wagons. employees have a farm & ranch wagon. A brief description a similar Mud Wagon refers to the sturdy background, bringing a familiarity wagon was found in the collection undercarriage and open sides. This from which they can apply to their at the Corpus Christi Museum of type of vehicle was used in areas work. Science and History. where the roads were rough and Dedication to authenticity Manufactured by Abbot- unpaved like California during begins with careful research and Downing Co. Concord, New the 19th Century.This particular documentation of the original Hampshire this four passenger carriage (the one in the picture) was vehicles. Careful attention is given wagon is the smallest of the Hack used to accommodate passengers to detail throughout the entire Passenger Wagons. The lighter traveling from Los Angeles to San construction of the vehicle, using versions in the East were called Diego. traditional joinery and authentic Concord Coaches. The heavy During the planning phase for hand-forged hardware to replicate version, suited for the rough the restoration of the Cosmopolitan wagons of the past. They work conditions of the West, was often Hotel it was decided that the closelywiththeircustomersbuilding called a “mud wagon” or “the restoration would not be complete and designing wagons that meet the poor man’s Concord”. The leather without the horse drawn vehicle needs of each assignment. Through suspension system gave a ride that you see in the historic photograph. years of dedicated research into was smooth by the day’s standards. This is when we contacted Hansen the history and careful study of the Our reconstructed Passenger Wheel & Wagon Shop a family style of original vehicles, they have Wagon sits presently in the owned and operated carriage and compiled a thorough understanding entrance area of Seeley Stables. We wagon manufacturer located in of authentic horse-drawn vehicle will roll it out upon the completed the plains of the Dakota’s. They construction. restoration of the Cosmopolitan custom build horse drawn vehicles They have thoroughly Hotel for the 21st Century version and wheels following the authentic documented several original of the photograph and who knows style and design of the horse drawn coaches as well as restored perhaps in 2150 it will be done all wagon era, specializing in the numerous historic stagecoaches, over again. Who says you can’t construction and/or restoration of combining this experience with reinvent the wheel! Cosmopolitan Chronicle. True tales from the annals of history, archaeology, construction, and restoration of the Casa de Bandini & Cosmopolitan Hotel.

VOL. IV, No. 3 San Diego, Alta California, September 25, 2009 Price: Free

CATTLE & HORSES. found at the Bancroft Library, he did not have anybody to take Bandini deals with cattle and care of his cattle at San Rafael, horse issues. He and his son- because he feared that Indians Cynthia hernandez. in-law were the owners of would kill and eat cattle that Archaeological Project several ranchos around Southern were not watched. On April 28th Leader/Interpreter. California in what are now San 1858, he asked an Indian named Diego, Los Angeles, Riverside, Clemente (captain of the Indians) San Bernardino, and Orange to take care that his Indians did he wealth of rancheros Counties and across the border not steal any of his cattle at San and families in Mexican into Baja California. These men Rafael. T California and into the depended on each other for In a letter dated April 28th early American period, especially ranching, business and financial 1858, Bandini mentioned that in Southern California, was issues that spanned a large two of his sons, José María and measured in cattle and horses. section of California. Juanito (Juan Bautista), were Their diet and way of life centered Juan Bandini helped Abel herding cattle from Guadalupe to around the cattle. Horses were a Stearns in the administration Tecate and then to Los Angeles very important “tool” for vaqueros of his ranches. In several letters to sell them. Bandini asked (cowboys), many of whom were written in 1853 Bandini wrote Stearns to look for some buyers. Indians. Californio rancheros like about the great effort he had If he could sell the cattle, Bandini Juan Bandini were celebrated made to take care of some of would be able to pay some of his for their skill on horseback and Stearns’ ranches, watching that debts and have some money left their riding ability. no cattle other than his graze for the rest of the year. On June 8th 1842, Juan on his property, and paying the Cattle, horses, oxen, mules, Bandini wrote Abel Stearns, a cowboys to deliver the cattle. In and other livestock were an wealthy Los Angeles rancher and one letter dated May 5th Bandini important part of means of businessman who was married told Stearns that he was happy production of the economy in to his daughter Arcadia, to send to help him with his ranches, but Old Town San Diego and in him three fanegas (around 300 he would like a little bit more Southern California, and family pounds) of salt, because he did gratitude from him. ties were necessary to make a not have any and it was time to Cattle-rustling was a big large ranching operation work. butcher some of his cattle. The problem for Bandini and other Also, without checks for what we salt would be used to preserve ranchers. On January 21st 1848 today call “sustainability,” this the meat and hides. he wrote that some Indians stole economy would collapse. Correspondence between his horses at Los Vallecitos, and Bandini and Stearns has been in San Juan del Río he had two preserved at UCLA, the Bancroft more horses stolen by cowboys Library, and the Huntington who were supposed to help Library. In most of the letters Stearns. Bandini was upset that Cosmopolitan Chronicle. True tales from the annals of history, archaeology, construction, and restoration of the Casa de Bandini & Cosmopolitan Hotel.

VOL. IV, No. 4 San Diego, Alta California, October 2, 2009 Price: Free

when sorting cattle (looking at EARMARKS AND cattle head on rather than shoulder, ribs, or hip). BRANDING. Brands were something like a coat of arms and were often handed down to family members. We Cynthia hernandez. know from early documents that Archaeological Project Juan Bandini’s brand (pictured) Leader/Interpreter. was used at least as early as 1838. He transferred it to his son-in-law Abel Stearns on Aug 19, 1859. rands were symbols or A letter that Bandini wrote in designs that were easily Tijuana on September 20, 1858 recognizable and used to mentioned that he spent five pesos B signify cattle ownership. to get a branding iron to mark Earmarks were a method of Stearns’ cattle. Some families had marking cattle by cropping their a number of brands. As a large ears in distinctive patterns. Some ranching family, Bandini’s sons of the earliest brands were not anddaughterswouldhavehadtheir branding cattle. Calves were given recorded as there was so much own brands. A daughter’s dowry the brand of their mothers. For land that cattle could roam freely. could include a separate brand and example, Bandini wrote on May In time, as herds got larger and a herd of cattle. The Cc brand that 24, 1856 that they had finished more people owned them, it is usually associated with Cave J. the branding and that they had became necessary to mark cattle to Couts was actually registered to marked 1026 animals. Many of sort them and to prove ownership. his wife, Ysidora Bandini, in 1854. these Old Town families had huge The earmark pattern had to be There were a number of Californio ranchos as well as their town registered along with the brand as women’s names in the San Diego casa. Families and friends would evidence of private ownership. In Brand Book Number One, as well gather for food, games, music, San Diego, Henry Fitch as Juez de as a few Indians who registered feasting, and exchange of news as Paz (Justice of the Peace) ordered their brands. they proceeded from one rancho in February 1847 that people must In a letter Bandini wrote on to another. Branding of livestock record their cattle brands. Brands April 3, 1845, he said that he was a big social event, as well as a in Los Angeles were recorded even talked to the Alcalde (Mayor) necessary ranch activity, and was earlier. The record in the town’s of Los Angeles and that he was done once or twice a year. clerk office had to have a basic getting ready to start the rodeos diagram indicating both ears, the (round-ups). The Judge of the particular mark cut in the ear, and Plains would be in charge of the the position in which the mark was rodeos. Rodeos would proceed placed. The distinctive pattern of from one part of the county to cropping ears was easier to see another, rounding up, sorting, and Cosmopolitan Chronicle. True tales from the annals of history, archaeology, construction, and restoration of the Casa de Bandini & Cosmopolitan Hotel.

VOL. IV, No. 5 San Diego, Alta California, October 9, 2009 Price: Free

highly workable after it has Bandini maintained rigid WHY HISTORIC been fired in a kiln (1250-2150 hygienic standards, and used ºF) and combined with water. lime because he knew that it LIME WAS USED. Missions San Diego de Alcalá killed funguses and germs. and San Juan Capistrano both Lime has a high PH factor. ViCtor a. Walsh. had kilns when Juan Bandini Archaeologists discovered San Diego Coast District Historian. embarked on building his casa several small lime-pit sites in in 1827. room #105. This was Bandini’s In a process called ‘slaking,’ kitchen, where cooking was n-site investigations quicklime (or calcium oxide) done over open hearths. In oftheCasadeBandini/ was added to water in a pit either 1847, he installed a brick-lined O Cosmopolitan Hotel on-site if enough water was drainage system across the floor have revealed that exterior and available or, if not, near the San to keep the room as clean and interior adobe walls on the first Diego River or La Playa (The rodent-free as was then possible. floor had been continuously Beach). Lime is always added His servants frequently hauled painted and plastered with to water, not vice-versa because household ‘slops’ to the beach hydrated lime or lime putty the process releases heat and where they were buried in holes throughout the 19th century. can explode. This is especially to be swept out to sea. Lime was used because of true of non-hydrated lime. WhenBandinifirstusedwhite its compatibility with adobe This process would create lime wash and lime plaster to protect and other porous materials, its putty. It remained in the water his beloved home is uncertain, availability, and its workability. for perhaps several days to fully but it is clear from the historic Adobe absorbs moisture, and hydrate; thereby, enhancing its record that his ‘mansion,’ as it thus any protective coating workability as a mortar, plaster, was called, was the pride of this must not trap the moisture or paint (or whitewash). frontier outpost—the defining allow it to in a word, ‘breathe.’ Lime plaster and mortar symbol of his elite status. By Lime is a permeable material differ from lime paint in several the 1840s, the casa boasted such that allows moisture buildup ways. They are harder, putty- features as pane-glass windows, in adobe to vaporize and like materials used on the fired clay tiles and patio bricks, escape. It was available in San exterior, including covering a veranda built with planed Diego in the form of seashells, adobe walls, laying fired bricks redwood posts, a lime mortared especially oyster shells, which and stone foundations. They well, and bath house. contain high levels of calcium require a longer slaking period carbonate. Another source of to prevent blistering or spalling lime was cow bones from the of the finished surface, and they 1830s into the early 1860s when are mixed with sand, usually at cattle ranching was San Diego’s a ratio of 1 part lime to 3 parts economic mainstay. Lime is sand. Cosmopolitan Chronicle. True tales from the annals of history, archaeology, construction, and restoration of the Casa de Bandini & Cosmopolitan Hotel.

VOL. IV, No. 6 San Diego, Alta California, October 16, 2009 Price: Free

the doorway to room #105 on Applying plaster is a learned WHY HISTORIC the back courtyard wall. This art. Each coat must be allowed indicates that the rear as well as to dry or cure before applying LIME WAS USED the front façade was scored to the next one. Cracks must be resemble stone. The scored block rubbed out with a damp cloth or PART 2. has a smooth gray white finish and brush. The glossy, smooth finish measures approximately 23” long on the exterior was achieved by ViCtor a. Walsh. x 11” high. The plaster is layered constantly wetting or dampening San Diego Coast District Historian. and is about ¾” thick. It is by all the plaster and allowing it to standards quality work done by a dry somewhat before carefully crew of professional plasterers. smoothing it with a brush, trowel, uring the decade There are remnants of lime or float. following Juan plaster also in the interior dating Skilled plasterers by the mid­ D Bandini’s death in to the Seeley era, including a 19th century used a variety of 1859, the old mansion fell into large swath on the end wall facing tools. To help level walls, they disrepair, battered by the elements the courtyard in room #105. used wooden plaster ‘grounds’ and neglect. In 1869, Albert L. It is about ½” thick, contains fastened at the base of the walls Seeley, a stage driver from Texas, horse hair (in the scratch coat) and plumb-bob lines at the top. bought the Bandini residence and and fine white sand, and has an Whether this was done at the converted it into a fashionable incredibly smooth finish, despite Cosmopolitan Hotel is uncertain two-story hotel and stage stop. irregularities in the wall. The given the layers of successive The adobe façade of the L- partition adobe wall underneath alterations to fabric. Suffice to shaped hotel was re-bricked and the stairway in the entrance hall say the walls in room #105 where re-plastered and a small end room (room #100) is covered with a I worked were not level. Padded made of adobe brick and adjacent rough lime plaster finish dating wood floats were used to level to the Seeley barn was rebuilt to to Seeley’s time. off humps or fill in hollows in the serve as a kitchen. One interesting The lime plaster was made the wall. A long two-handed float, feature, according to the San Diego traditional way by firing the lime called a darby, was used to float Union (June 23, 1873) was that in a kiln, slaking or adding water or level large surfaces. “the outside of the Seely House allowing it to hydrate, and finally (Cosmopolitan Hotel) has been adding sand to reduce cracking plastered, and it now has, to all and enhance smoothness and horse appearances, a stone front.” hair to wick moisture buildup. On-site investigations of the Plaster was usually applied in building discovered remnants of three coats: a scratch coat, a brown Seeley era lime plaster, including coat, and a finish coat. The finish an exterior section of plaster coat had additional sand, but no scored to resemble stone above fibers such as animal hair. Cosmopolitan Chronicle. True tales from the annals of history, archaeology, construction, and restoration of the Casa de Bandini & Cosmopolitan Hotel.

VOL. IV, No. 7 San Diego, Alta California, October 23, 2009 Price: Free

IssacTustin,theyhadwidehorizontal America, the Sandwich Islands, blades,aturn-tablebeneaththemain Australia, Mexico, Oregon and the WINDMILL shaft, and featured a self-regulated, Puget Sound. RECONSTRUCTION AT 360 degree-turning wheel. The self- SEELEY STABLES YARD. regulation allowed the windmill to shut itself off by turning out of the BoB Patterson. wind during dangerous high-wind San Diego Coast District conditions. In a nutshell Tustin’s Associate Landscape Architect. windmills represented a mechanical technology far ahead of its time. They were constructed, one in or many years it has been 1870 and the other in 1872, to help known that two water- prevent the outbreak of fires, a pumping windmills once common problem for this frontier F community, and also to provide existed in the yard between the historic Cosmopolitan Hotel and waterforthehorsesofAlbertSeeley’s the Seeley Stable. Photographs by stage line and his hotel guests. Godfrey in 1872 and Parker in 1874 Despite his many achievements, taken from Presidio Hill show the William Isaac Tustin unfortunately windmills. But until recently their remains an obscure figure in true historic significance was not California’s history. Scholars fully realized. generally credit Daniel Halladay Windmill expert, restoration from Connecticut as the inventor of the first American-built windmill in 1854, even though Tustin built and developed California’s first, self- regulating windmill in Benecia in Kevin Moore researched, 1849. He also built a cable system designed, built and erected a to pull mining carts up and down complete, fully operational replica mountain slopes on tracks; designed of the 1872 windmill. Mounted on San Francisco’s original cable car four 8” thick by 20-foot long wooden system, and developed mining posts, the top of the wheel extends specialist, and builder Kevin machinery to crush wet and dry about forty feet above the ground. Moore of Rock Ridge Windmills iron ores. Its imposing tower and wheel in Cloverdale, California has From 1850 until the mid 1870s, loom over the landscape, much documented that the two windmills Tustin was the major manufacturer like its predecessor once did. The were truly California originals. and supplier of windmills in reconstructed windmill is a unique Designed and built by the San California,shipping tosuchfar away interpretive element. No other State Franciscan manufacturer William destinations as Costa Rica, Central Park to my knowledge has one. Cosmopolitan Chronicle. True tales from the annals of history, archaeology, construction, and restoration of the Casa de Bandini & Cosmopolitan Hotel.

VOL. IV, No. 8 San Diego, Alta California, October 30, 2009 Price: Free

THE COSMOPOLITAN’S Silver City, like Bodie SHP, is a “dead-end.” She went through a “ghost town.” Silver City now the entire archives and photo “NEW” BAR. has a year-round population of collection but could only find a 2. However between the 1860s picture and handwritten notes William F. mennell. when it was founded, and for the of the bar in the still existing following several decades, it was Idaho Hotel. She then “turned San Diego Coast District a thriving mining town with a to newspaper articles covering Services Manager. population of around 2,500 with Silver City and discovered in the 75 businesses, and 300 homes. 1960s and 70s many of the homes n the Cosmopolitan Naturally we wanted to know and businesses in the town were Chronicle article The Cosmo exactly where in Silver City our pillaged by tourists visiting in the Bar, (dated 09/26/08), Victor I bar originated. In an “historical, summer season.” Walsh gives us an introduction to descriptive and commercial So for the time being, we are the room, and possible furnishings. directory of Owyhee County at an impasse in this endeavor. No one at this time knows what Idaho…1897” specifically Silver But early next year, Seeley’s happened to Seeley’s bar, but City, 8 saloons were listed: Barkle (replacement) bar will once again given the multiple uses of the Bros Corner Saloon, the War be open for business. Standing building, that is not surprising. Eagle Saloon and Hotel, (named room only. Perhaps it was removed during after nearby War Eagle mountain), the time the building was used as McCabe and Murphy the Old Mission Olive Works, or Saloon, J.M. Brunzell when it was used as a girls school. Saloon, Rock & Jacobs In any event, a “new” bar had to Saloon, McMahon & be found. Butler Saloon, Idaho With the assistance of historical Hotel which is still consultant Bruce Coons, one has there, and the Miller been located and purchased. It and Co Saloon which is very similar to the one Victor burned down in 1907. describes in his article, i.e., a front- So we are down to 6 back bar with recessed panels, a possibilities. brass rail,and threewoodbordered I contacted the Our “best guess” as to which saloon in mirror insets. This style of bar was Idaho Public Archives Silver City, Idaho that the bar originates. used throughout a long period in and Research Library the west, so is an excellent match for some assistance. Elizabeth for our bar room. This “new” bar Falk, a Library Assistant, took actually dates from at least the on the task and after a month or 1880s, and is reportedly from so, thought she was getting close. Silver City, Idaho. But unfortunately, she ran into Cosmopolitan Chronicle. True tales from the annals of history, archaeology, construction, and restoration of the Casa de Bandini & Cosmopolitan Hotel.

VOL. IV, No. 9 San Diego, Alta California, November 6, 2009 Price: Free

THE COSMOPOLITAN’S character in Shakespeare. boiling water, nutmeg, and a But punch to Jerry is not the bottle of good wine (Claret). “NEW” BAR. mix of juice and liquor in a bowl. Another, hot egg-nogg, states According to his book, “To make “This drink is very popular William F. mennell. punch of any sort in perfection, in California.” Using Cognac the ambrosial essence of the brandy, and Santa Cruz rum, San Diego Coast District lemon must be extracted by it is mixed in what “Every well Services Manager. rubbing lumps of sugar on the ordered bar has” a tin egg-nogg rind, which breaks the delicate “shaker” which is “a great aid in f Hollywood and TV were little vessels that contain the mixing this beverage.” our only sources of what essence, and at the same time Despite all the drinks found was supposedly available absorbs it. This, and making in the book, some of course are I the mixture sweet and strong, not. Martinis are sometimes at a saloon in the 19th century, we would think all they had using tea instead of water, and credited to Jerry Thomas, in to offer was straight whisky, thoroughly amalgamating all the 1870, at the time a bartender in and bad whisky at that. While compounds, so that the taste of San Francisco. He called it a it is true that many saloons in neither the bitter, the sweet, the Martinez, supposedly due to the mining towns were make-shift spirit, nor the element, shall be miner customer’s destination. tents, and did have a limited perceptible one over the other, A Martinez does appear in the fare, the saloons in larger cities, is the grand secret, only to be 1887 version of Thomas’ book. and especially those in hotels, acquired by practice.” The Margarita is credited to two had a considerably larger list of An Uncle Toby uses two different bartenders, one in 1934, libations. lemons, including the juice, another in 1948. And one drink The Cosmopolitan for and “with the bruiser press the invented in 1985, becoming example advertised the “Uncle sugar and the juice particularly poplar in the 1990s also is not Toby.” To find out what that well.” According to this recipe, included, the Cosmopolitan. was, I referred to Jerry Thomas’ two lemons, with the sugar and Bartenders Guide from 1862. In put into boiling water, and both it are “Receipts for mixing all brandy and rum added, makes kinds of Punch, Eggnog, Juleps, about a gallon of punch, one Smashs, Cobblers, Cocktails, quarter of which is the liquor. Sangarees, Mulls, Toddies, You can and should then add Slings, Sours, Flips, and 200 a half pint of porter to give other fancy drinks.” An Uncle “richness.” Toby it turns out is one of many There are hundreds of other kinds of punch. It is of English such recipes in this amazing origin, the name based on a book. One, mulled wine, is in verse. It requires nine eggs, Cosmopolitan Chronicle. True tales from the annals of history, archaeology, construction, and restoration of the Casa de Bandini & Cosmopolitan Hotel.

VOL. IV, No. 10 San Diego, Alta California, November 13, 2009 Price: Free

Not a lot is known about José In 1828, José Bandini wrote A FATHER’S HAND. Bandini. He was born in Andalucía, his friend Eustace Barron, British Spain, about 1771--his family vice-consul at Tepic, describing life Cynthia hernandez. originally coming from Italy. As in California. This long, detailed Archaeological Project a young man, he went to South letter provided information about Leader/Interpreter. America, making Peru his home. the land, people, towns, trade, There he married twice--Ysidora etc. Unfortunately the letter Blancas in 1796 and Manuela ellen sWeet. contained no information about the Morrelos [or Mazuelos] in 1802. construction of the new Bandini Historian. Juan Bandini was born in 1800, family home. his mother dying soon afterwards. In the following years, José As a Spanish officer and mariner, undoubtedly helped with the family, uan Bandini is credited José traveled extensively. Juan especially when Dolores died in with building his San traveled with him some of the time 1833 leaving six small children. Diego home, the Casa and studied in Europe. There were Juan married Refugio Argüello in J de Bandini, 1827-1829. other children from these marriages. 1835 and the family continued to The complexity of the building and One son apparently became the expand. In 1837, José was chosen the huge amount of work involved Archbishop of Lima. Another son as baby Margarita’s godfather. meant that Mission Indians were the was listed as the godparent for one The following year, Juan work force behind the building. The of Juan’s sons. was appointed administrator neighboring Casa de Estudillo was As captain of the Spanish ship of Mission San Gabriel and the built about the same time. Perhaps Reina de los Ángeles, José made the Estudillos and the Bandinis family moved to that area. Sadly, severaltripstoCalifornia.Suffering by early 1841 José became very compared notes on planning and from gout, the senior Bandini construction. Building materials ill. Juan’s correspondence to Los retired with the rank of captain of Angeles merchant and future son- were probably taken from the militia, an honor bestowed by Gen. presidio for use in both homes. in-law Abel Stearns illustrated his Iturbide for his help in Mexico’s bid concern and care for his father. However, there is another for independence. member of the family who should Juan requested that Stearns send José and Juan Bandini settled him various foods to tempt the old be given recognition for building the in San Diego by 1822, about the Casa de Bandini, and that is Juan’s man’s appetite—rice, chocolate, time that a few citizens and retired coffee, a little bread. In one letter father, José Bandini. Both historian soldiers were starting to build Hubert Howe Bancroft and family Juan Bandini told Stearns that he adobe homes below the presidio. member Ralph Bandini credited cannot leave his dying father to Juan married Dolores Estudillo on José Bandini with building the come to Los Angeles on business, November 20, 1822, in a marriage house. Considering the closeness of not even for overnight. By April 23, uniting two families with ties from father and son, it seems logical that Juan wrote that he was losing his Andalucía. Later, José served as they worked together on the project best friend. José Bandini passed godfather at the baptisms of three as descendant and owner Cave J. away on April 28, 1841 and was of Juan and Dolores’ children. Couts, Jr. stated in 1931. buried inside Mission San Gabriel. Cosmopolitan Chronicle. True tales from the annals of history, archaeology, construction, and restoration of the Casa de Bandini & Cosmopolitan Hotel.

VOL. IV, No. 11 San Diego, Alta California, November 20, 2009 Price: Free

his plans on hold, writing his father- belongings in San Diego, including A FATHER’S HAND. in-law Santiago Argüello in San rich ornaments that were intended Diego for information. for his new headquarters. Cynthia hernandez. Setting sail from San Blas in After much fanfare in Santa November 1841 with his entourage Barbara, Bishop García Diego Archaeological Project of twelve, Bishop Francisco García decided to make that location his Leader/Interpreter. Diego arrived in San Diego waters home. He sent the captain of the on the evening of December 10. Tasso to San Diego with an order to ellen sWeet. A friar was sent ashore to notify retrieve his goods. But the women of Historian. the presidio commander, who San Diego were so incensed about immediately announced the arrival this treatment that they refused to with a two-cannon salute. The next give up the articles, except for the n 1841 the Bandinis did not morning, the whole population went bishop’s clothing. Some had hoped spend much time in San down to the beach. On the orders of that he would restore Mission San Diego because Juan had Argüello, the men carried the bishop Luis Rey as the cathedral. I responsibilities in Los Angeles in his sedan chair half way to town When William Dane Phelps and San Gabriel. In April, Juan and then the women took over. The visited San Diego as master of the Bandini’s beloved father, José, died bishop and his party were given Alert in May 1842, he found the at their Rancho San Juan del Río. A lodgings at the Casa de Bandini on women discussing their “revolution.” month later, Juan’s daughter Arcadia Argüello’s instructions. Many felt that they and their leader, married Abel Stearns at Mission A week after the bishop’s arrival, Tomasa Pico de Alvarado, had gone San Gabriel in a wedding that had he administered the Sacrament of too far and feared excommunication. been delayed due to José Bandini’s Confirmation for 125 people. None They finally decided to send a peace declining health. And by August, of the Bandini family members took offering to the bishop by Mr. Phelps. Bandini’s daughter Josefa married partintheserviceastheywerestillout When the ship sailed, it carried “a Pedro Carrillo. of town. Some of the godfathers were large quantity of cakes, cabbages, In San Diego, all was excitement Francisco María Alvarado, Pío Pico, onions, and lettuce . . . to take to the due to the anticipated arrival of the JoséAntonioEstudillo,JoséAntonio Bishop, which he will get (if they first Bishop of the Californias. Pope Aguirre, and Santiago Argüello. keep).” Gregory XVI had designated San GodmothersincludedMaríaAntonia Biographies written about Juan Diego as the official home of the Estudillo, María Ygnacia Alvarado, Bandini describe him as fomenting bishop, who was supposed to build Apolinaria Lorenzana, and Victoria political plots. But in 1841-1842 he his residence and a cathedral there. Domínguez. missed a revolution outside his own As early as September 1841 the But Bishop García Diego Casa de Bandini—one led by the people of San Diego started making was disappointed in San Diego, women of San Diego. The bishop preparations. An earlier decree that saying that it was too small and never again went south of Los prohibited the roaming of cattle insignificant (“pequeñisima ciudad”) Angeles. within the pueblo was to be enforced for his residence. At the suggestion because of the bishop’s expected of wealthy merchant and ship owner (See William Dane Phelps’ Alta arrival.AthisranchnearSanGabriel, José Antonio Aguirre, who had California, 1840-1842 and Fr. Zephyrin Juan Bandini wrote Stearns that he recently married the Estudillo’s Engelhardt’s Missions and Missionaries of was expecting the bishop to arrive daughter Francisca, the bishop California, vol.4) with orders for the missions. He put sailed for Santa Barbara leaving his Cosmopolitan Chronicle. True tales from the annals of history, archaeology, construction, and restoration of the Casa de Bandini & Cosmopolitan Hotel.

VOL. IV, No. 12 San Diego, Alta California, November 27, 2009 Price: Free

1869, where feed was stored on the determined in accordance with second floor, allowing the bottom procedures described in ADAAG GOING UP! floor more room for livestock. 4.1.7(2)thatcompliancewithcertain The major problem with these requirements would threaten or William F. mennell. elevators was what could happen destroy the historic significance of San Diego Coast District Services Manager.

levators,or lifts havebeen around for a very long E time. Evidence points back to at least the third century B.C. The first lifts were used primarily in mines and quarries, and to get building materials to a higher level, such as a scaffold for if the rope broke. This problem the building or facility.” In the case building castle walls. They were was resolved by Elisha Otis, who of the Cosmopolitan, the addition fairly simple designs, utilizing either demonstrated his safety device of an elevator will not destroy the a lever, or a pulley, the mathematical or “Improvement in Hoisting significance. It is on the outside, not principals of both defined by the Apparatus” In 1853. He started attached to the adobe first floor, and ancient Greek Archimedes, the a company, the Otis Elevator has siding to match the building. first mathematical physicist. He is Companythatbuiltfreightelevators The elevator has another benefit credited with creating elaborate until 1857 when the company got its as well. It can be used in the pulley systems, reputedly having first order for a passenger elevator. operation of the hotel, a traditional been able to move a full-size ship by The first one in use was in a 5 story use, often called a dumbwaiter. As pulling on a single rope. These first department store in New York, and the Casa de Bandini was converted elevators used either draft animals, used steam power. to the Cosmopolitan in 1869, it human power, or in a few cases Although the restoration of the would have been possible for Seeley water driven mechanisms. Cosmopolitan Hotel until now to have had an elevator. But the Although intended for materials, has never had an elevator, it will first passenger elevator in the San it is almost certain a few workers now after the completion of the Diego area didn’t appear until the also took a ride. In 1743 a personal restoration. The most compelling 1890s at the Hotel del Coronado. lift was commissioned by Louis XV reason for the addition is the 1990 However, San Diego does have an to link his apartment in Versailles federal ADA law, which requires elevator claim to fame. The first with that of his then mistress, wheelchair access to the second exterior glass elevator was installed Madame de Chateauroux. In the floor. “Alterations to a qualified at the El Cortez Hotel. U.S. the primary use of lifts were historic building or facility must in barns like the one Seeley built in comply with ADAAG unless it is Cosmopolitan Chronicle. True tales from the annals of history, archaeology, construction, and restoration of the Casa de Bandini & Cosmopolitan Hotel.

VOL. IV, No. 13 San Diego, Alta California, December 4, 2009 Price: Free

on payment. Unfortunately for dentist, druggists, hardware, THE STRANGERS’ historians, much of this information wines, real estate, grocers, livery, was left incomplete. All the right and forwarding agents. Most of the GUIDE. hand pages are titled the same way, businesses were not based in Old except for one in which Seeley’s Town. Listed for both Old and New ellen sWeet. name has been crossed out and “J.P. San Diego was J.S. Mannasse & Historian. Hill” written above. This is for the Co., with a large assortment of date July 30, 1873. According to general merchandise. he California State the San Diego Union of June 29, Mr. Seeley’s own advertisement Library archives the Hill rented the Seeley House for for the Cosmopolitan Hotel Cosmopolitan Hotel two years, beginning July 1, 1873. showed a billiard table with the T However, Hill only ran the hotel for description, “This Hotel is Large, Register from Albert L. Seeley’s hotel in Old Town a period of about five months. The Commodious and First Class in all San Diego. The register begins San Diego Union (December 7, 1873) the appointments. The Furniture with April 21, 1870—about seven announced that, “Mr. J. P. Hill left is new and of the best quality. The months after the hotel actually us last week. Mr. A.L. Seeley has table is always supplied with the opened. Some pages are missing, resumed the management of the Rarest Delicacies. The Bar stocked some entries are incomplete, and Cosmopolitan Hotel.” During this with Choice Wines, Liquors and some years have very few listings. time Seeley ran on the Republican Cigars, and elegantly appointed The bulk of the entries are from ticket for county supervisor at Billiard Rooms always at the 1870-1873, with only a few for 1874 large. In the September election, service of Guests. The Stages for and 1875. There are two pages that he lost by 124 votes. Perhaps he Anaheim, Los Angeles and San appear to be 1887. The register was decided that running a hotel and a Francisco leave this Hotel three obviously not used all the time, stage were better occupations than times a week.” even though guests were staying that of politician. Studying the entries in the there. In later years Seeley family Interestingly, the left hand pages Cosmopolitan Register, the members used the book for note ofthehotelregisterweresetupwitha reader notices visitors from San taking or doodling. printed list of the “Strangers’ Guide Francisco, Los Angeles, New York to Leading Business Houses in San City, Chicago, Memphis, Akron, Diego.” The list of 26 businesses Providence, Bangor, St. Louis, included Seeley’s Cosmopolitan and even Norway. But most of the Hotelandtwocompetitors—Alonzo guestsarelocalsfromNationalCity, The hotel register pages were set Horton’s Horton House and S.S. Julian, Escondido, Temecula, San up so that the right hand page was Gordon’s New San Diego Hotel. Pasqual,SanLuisRey,Peñasquitos, imprinted “COSMOPOLITAN There was also a listing for North and New San Diego. The hotel HOTEL, A.L. SEELEY, & Knight’s Opposition Stage Line, apparently accommodated the Proprietor, 187_” with handwritten which ran between Old and New locals even more than the strangers dates, names, residence, room San Diego. Other listings for San and was popular with many of the number, and some notations Diego included a photographer, earliest county residents. Cosmopolitan Chronicle. True tales from the annals of history, archaeology, construction, and restoration of the Casa de Bandini & Cosmopolitan Hotel.

VOL. IV, No. 14 San Diego, Alta California, December 11, 2009 Price: Free

Alejandro Felix and Arcadia that they were from Haplogroup BANDINI’S FACE. were born. With a line running V, traced back 17,000 years to a to famous daughters, his local Basque female whose descendents therese muranaka. history was begun. make up only 5% of Europe’s San Diego Coast District Regarding this Bandini legacy, population. Some of the Serranos Associate State Archaeologist. there is a very special event were interested to know that in Old Town every summer they were Haplogroup D, that is henever I see the that celebrates his and other of Mexican or South American family picture early families’ lives. Known as Indian ancestry, including possibly of Juan Bandini ‘Descendents’ Day,’ it is the day the Costanoans of Monterey. W and his beautiful that these early Californio families Soon perhaps we will find early daughter Margarita, I stare and come back to Old Town to gather Californio soldiers’ families who stare at his eyes, nose, ears, and with other relatives, both known are of Jewish descent, or African and unknown. When I can, I descent, or from the Phillipine love to go to ‘Descendents’ Day.’ Island since these first historic Looking around the room, I can settlers were from many places. easily see who belongs to which For fun, you can search your family. The Bandini descendents’ own family’s DNA through the eyes are wide and round. A little National Geographic Society. You girl running up the aisle has to be might read Bryan Sykes’ book The a Moreno because the iris of one Seven Daughters of Eve: The Science of her beautiful eyes is slightly that Reveals Our Genetic Ancestry raised. I also remember an early for a fun explanation of how document describing the young this all works. William Mason’s Jose Manuel Machado’s physical The Census of 1790: A Demographic makeup, a military report which History of Colonial California (1998 describes him with una nariz Ballena Press) is the best of all, as ancha (a wide nose), a pretty nose he uses the early photographs to mouth. Of Italian and Spanish still seen with some descendents show ethnicity. descent, he was the son of Ysidora today. The people of this historic Blancos de Bandini and Captain A while ago, I arranged to test little town reflected already the José Bandini, a Spanish sailor and the DNA of some of these well- fascinating genetic variability of military officer. Born October known families. Through a non­ the population here today. 4, 1800, in Arica, Peru, Juan profit museum’s efforts, we tested first came to San Diego about 9 samples from families who we 1819. Marrying an Estudillo knew were clearly related to the daughter, Dolores, in 1822, he presidial soldiers. We did some begins building the house we Machados, some Serranos, and chronicle here about five years the Lopez Family. The Lopez later. Already his children Josefa, descendents were proud to find out Cosmopolitan Chronicle. True tales from the annals of history, archaeology, construction, and restoration of the Casa de Bandini & Cosmopolitan Hotel.

VOL. IV, No. 15 San Diego, Alta California, December 18, 2009 Price: Free

couldn’t hear the trains. For just walls of the corrals at the a minute, it appeared much the rear of the Bandini and WEATHER. way it looked on a winter evening Estudillo houses fell in… in 1874. For myself, I have spent Some of the high corral therese muranaka. many a winter here in Old Town, wall in the rear of the San Diego Coast District having begun working here in Franklin fell. Crissman’s Associate State Archaeologist. the 1970’s. I even remember one shop walls fell in and the afternoon when the Ranger came whole of the wall around to me at the Casa de Estudillo and Bandini’s large garden, n the rainstorm yesterday, said that Old Town was being below the pear garden, the Cosmopolitan Hotel evacuated because of flooding is one mass of mud, the and all of Old Town were I from Highway 8. It must have water being about two deluged with wind and rain. All been like that back when the hotel feet deep around it.” through a late lunch, I watched was occupied, always watching the rain come down in sheets, the weather, always watching the As we think and puzzle today and the streets of Old Town coat river, and knowing that the 1875 over global warming, these early with water. Nini Minovi (ASM remodel of Derby’s Dike might historic records become important. Affiliates) and Patrick English not hold things in. Sudden storms of great velocity (Soltek Pacific) were there As I was standing on the exterior were not predictable by internet battening down the hatches. I porch facing the strong wind last weather bureaus. They must have checked with Nini about 3:30 night, I was also thinking of an had their own weather warning p.m., and she was concerned A. S. Ensworth letter to Thomas systems, like arthritic joints, or about the back courtyard. About Whaley from Jan. 26th, 1862: flocks of sea gulls circling inland 4:30 p.m., DPR inspector Robert far from the water. It is a real credit Robinson decided to check it “It was not only a flood to this old building, with which once more for the night. I went of waters falling from I have fallen in love, to think of with him just about dark to see if the heavens, but such a all the storms, both natural and the historic fabric -- the original South-easter I have never political, that it has weathered. adobe and wood architecture, and known, the tide backing the archaeological sections – was up the waters of the bay protected enough. which was running in As I stood on the second floor in from the river to a height the gusting rain, I looked out over never before witnessed the darkened plaza with the wind by Americans. Luckily pushing the giant bay laurel tree the settlements are all around. In the darkening evening, situated that the high I couldn’t see the electric lines, or water could do damage the freeway in the distance, and I to but a few... Most of the Cosmopolitan Chronicle. True tales from the annals of history, archaeology, construction, and restoration of the Casa de Bandini & Cosmopolitan Hotel.

VOL. IV, No. 16 San Diego, Alta California, December 25, 2009 Price: Free

Zamorano’s brother-in-law. AGUSTÌN VICENTE Zamorano’s accomplishments in Alta California certainly earn him ZAMORANO the description of a Renaissance RENAISSANCE MAN OF Man. His calligraphy was the finest in California and was used as a model by teachers. His SAN DIEGO. greatest accomplishment was the importation of California’s first Guire John Cleary. printing press and the creation of Historian California’s first books, including a San Diego Coast District. children’s arithmetic book in 1835. Quite possibly the first hand press small tragedy took place was utilized by him on Presdio Hill in San Diego in 1842. A in San Diego in 1825. His other man came off a ship in accomplishments include painting, A architecture, poetry and even needle A self-portrait of Zamorano. our harbor; an exile returning home to die. He was Agustin Vicente point designs! Zamorano, one of the most brilliant Zamorano was appointed the last Zamorano’s gold watch and chain mentohaveservedinthegovernance commandant of the Presidio of San “mysteriously appeared on one of of Mexican California. Diego,butdidnotassumecommand. the most respected Señores Jefes.” ZamoranohadcometoSanDiego He took up exile in Mexico after the Historian George Harding believed in 1825 as the secretary of Governor triumph of Alvarado in 1838. He it was probable that Zamorano died Jose María Echeandía. Zamorano spent four years in Mexico and was at the home of his brother-in-law, married María Luisa Argüello at appointed Adjutant Inspector of Juan Bandini in San Diego. Later Mission San Diego on February Alta California in the government interviews with his family stated 15, 1827. Padre Vicente Olivas, the of the newly appointed Manual that he died on September 16, 1842. last Franciscan missionary to serve Micheltorena. Zamorano became ill His family recollected that he was at San Diego, acted as officiant on the ship taking him to San Diego such a patriotic Mexican that it was and Governor Echeandía and and arrived more dead than alive in appropriate for him to die on Fiestas Alférez Romauldo Pacheco acted 1842. Antonio María Osio wrote Patrias. The exact location of his as witnesses. The marriage record that he came ashore only to die in the grave is unknown, but quite possibly is still preserved at Mission San arms of his family. Osio also recalled he was buried at the Presidio. Diego. Juan Bandini also married that Zamorano was robbed on the He is claimed as an ancestor by an Argüello and thus became shipbyhisowncompanionsandthat the martial arts master Michael Matsuda and musician-performers Thom Davis and Linda Ronstadt and also includes our friends at the California Indian Market. Perhaps his spirit still roams the hallways of The first dated printing (1831) in California, signed by Juan Bandini and Manuel the Casa de Bandini. Victoria, and printed by Zamorano. Cosmopolitan Chronicle. True tales from the annals of history, archaeology, construction, and restoration of the Casa de Bandini & Cosmopolitan Hotel.

VOL. IV, No. 17 San Diego, Alta California, January 1, 2009 Price: Free

their journey. Pastorela was given CHRISTMAS over and over again at individual houses and in the plaza over the next AT THE COSMO. few days, and as descendent Arturo Bandini noted, food and gifts were given to the performers and to the therese muranaka. crowd. San Diego Coast District The most famous Pastorela at Associate State Archaeologist. the Casa de Bandini itself took place Christmas night in 1838, as any rich traditions reported by historian Hubert Howe surrounding the Bancroft. Because Juan Bandini Christmas season was in a rebellion against Governor M have been enacted Alvarado, his troops surrounded at the Casa de Bandini and the the house while the party was going Cosmopolitan Hotel over the years. on. Two Carrillos, two Picos and an Anever-endingpageantofcharacters Ortega family member were taken as hadaChristmastreeforguestsornot, lived in this building at Christmas prisoners. Bandini’s brother-in-law many a celebration with fireworks time, and each lived their version of Jose Antonio Estudillo hid in a loft and gunfire must have taken place. what the holiday season should be. above his house next door, Bandini Stage passengers, disembarking in a For example, as the Casa de himself not being at home. Later strange place over the holidays, must Bandini was being finished in 1829, to be the last governor of Mexican have been welcomed into the hotel merchant Alfred Robinson described California, Pio Pico remembered his reception area with warm food, and a Christmas Eve performance of the performance that night as Lucifer. the manager’s cheer. play Los Pastores (‘The Shepherds’), As for the Yankees, and other And regarding the ghosts of alsoknownas LaPastorela ,performed sailors, merchants, trappers, etc. Christmas past, an archaeologist that year at the Presidio chapel. Amid of other ethnicities who came to especiallycanappreciatetheGongora fireworks, bonfires and church bells, California before the Gold Rush, quatrain that Amero notes was sung the people of Old Town walked up there must have been many forms after each Pastorela was completed: the hill to the chapel to attend the of Christmas (and Hanukkah) traditional late night misa de gallo celebrated. Protestant and Central Aprended flores de mi (‘Mass of the Rooster’). Upon its European customs must have lo que va de ayer a hoy completion, costumed shepherdesses, appeared permanently as foreigners que ayer maravilla fui Lucifer, the clownish Hermitano, and married into the local families. y hoy sombra de mi no soy the lazy drifter Bartolo, appeared in Historian Richard Amero noted that thecrowdasthe comedycommenced. in 1868, a year before Seeley began From me flowers learn Sent by the angel Gabriel to the the Cosmopolitan Hotel remodel, the How yesterday differs from today manger, the shepherdesses keep U.S. Government Barracks down in Yesterday I was a marvel getting distracted by the others, only New Town had a Christmas tree. But today I am not even a shadow to have the angel constantly redirect Whether the Cosmopolitan Hotel Cosmopolitan Chronicle. True tales from the annals of history, archaeology, construction, and restoration of the Casa de Bandini & Cosmopolitan Hotel.

VOL. IV, No. 18 San Diego, Alta California, January 8, 2009 Price: Free

Soledad Tanner de Marrón, and his wife Emma (or Emily) DANCING THE Doña Felipa Osuna de Marrón had a growing family, including (in her mid sixties), Mrs. Bush, foster daughter, Clara Twist. Clara NIGHT AWAY. the Misses Crosthwaite, Miss married Walter Case of Nevada at Serrano, Miss Machado, Miss the Seeley home on January 21, Smith, Miss Mulholland, Miss 1874. Another ball was scheduled ellen sWeet. Pond, Miss Cota, Miss Curley, soon after the happy event. Historian. Miss Stewart, and several others. The invitation shown for a Some of the gentlemen attendees social party for Christmas Eve n January 1872 an elegant were Judge Thomas H. Bush, 1874 at the Cosmopolitan Hotel is party at the Cosmopolitan Don Salvador Estudillo, Don a rare surviving example of an Old I Hotel on New Year’s night Francisco Estudillo, Prof. Silva, Town invitation. The hostess was celebrated a new beginning. José Argüello, Andrew Cassidy, The hotel was often very festive Angel Smith, Don Ygnacio López, in December and January. The Don Miguel Aguirre, Donaciano tradition of dancing, especially Osuna, Marcus Schiller, and the waltz, was introduced in San Joseph S. Mannasse. Diego by Don Juan Bandini when The dance floor was a swirl of he entertained at his casa. Later, blues, blacks, reds, whites, and the two-story Cosmopolitan Hotel grays as the dancers performed Miss Mary Smith, the daughter of of Albert Seeley that incorporated the waltz and the quadrille. Music Albert B. Smith and Guadalupe Bandini’s home was also the scene was supplied by the Messrs. Jesús Machado. Although not quite for dancing. In December 1871 the Marrón, Ygnacio López, and 17 years old, Mary undoubtedly local newspaper told about Mr. J. O’Connor. The dance began was capable of organizing the A.L. Seeley’s ball where “the floor at half past nine, with dances Christmas gathering for Old was just large enough to allow continuing until midnight. At that Town families with the help of her the assembled company to ‘do the time, the revelers proceeded to widowed mother, sisters, and many grand’ in first class style.” Rose’s Hall for a feast of chicken, cousins. Even today we find that Judge Benjamin Hayes’ twenty duck, lamb, pork, and a variety of Old Town descendant gatherings year old son John Chauncey desserts. After supper, a special have many representatives from Hayes, writing in the San Diego dance was performed by Mrs. the Machado-Smith family. Union under a pen name, described Gillis, daughter of Andrés Pico, The Cosmopolitan Hotel, like its a January 6, 1874 ball at the Seeley accompanied by Don Ygnacio predecessor the Casa de Bandini, House. The ball was organized by López. This was followed by a jig was a major center of social and Mrs. Guadalupe Pico de Gillis and led by Mr. Russell. Dancing then community activities. It still serves others. Ladies attending included continued until shortly after 5 am. as a centerpiece for Old Town San Mrs. Schiller, Mrs. Seeley, Mrs. A couple of weeks after this Diego. Mannasse, Mrs. Hoffman and ball, a Seeley family wedding took daughter, Mrs. Minter, Mrs. place at the Cosmopolitan. Seeley Cosmopolitan Chronicle. True tales from the annals of history, archaeology, construction, and restoration of the Casa de Bandini & Cosmopolitan Hotel.

VOL. IV, No. 19 San Diego, Alta California, January 15, 2009 Price: Free

MARIANO VALLEJO AND and in 1833 military commandant of the San Francisco Presidio. Sent THE “GENERAL’S” MAP, that year to investigate the Russians PART 1. at Ft. Ross, he was authorized to establish a military presence at therese muranaka. Sonoma. Receiving in 1834 a grant San Diego Coast District to Rancho Petaluma (eventually Associate State Archaeologist. 66,000 acres), Vallejo began to seriously develop his influence and he only Casa de Bandini political control of the area north of historic map known San Francisco Bay. Governor Jose to date is one drawn Figueroa warned Vallejo, who was T from General Mariano known for self-promotion, in the Guadalupe Vallejo’s memory. Born now famous line: at the Monterey Presidio on July Library). During this time, he must 4th, 1807, Vallejo was the eighth This government trusts… have drawn two San Diego maps: child of Sgt. Ignacio Ferrer Vallejo you will not let escape an the only known sketches of the San and Maria Antonia Lugo. Vallejo’s opportunity to deserve the Diego Presidio and the Casa de father Ignacio had come to San premium to which all men Bandini. Diego in 1774 with the Moncada­ aspire—POSTHUMOUS After a long and influential life, led expedition. Raised also with his FAME… including experimentation with nephew Juan Bautista Alvarado wine-growing in Napa and Sonoma, (a future governor of California) WhowasthisSpaniard,Mexican, an 1865 visit to Washington, D.C. to and boyhood friend Jose Castro American and Californian, and see his hero George Washington’s (a future commandant general), how did he come to draw this map? belongings, and initial work to save Vallejo’s early memories included Years later, struggling to record his the redwoods, Vallejo spent his last surviving the 1818 destruction of memories of changing times for the days struggling to make ends meet, the Monterey Presidio by the pirate historian Hubert Howe Bancroft, selling water and produce from Hippolyte Bouchard. A favorite Vallejo would write of his pro- his final home Lachryma Montis of Governor Pablo Vicente de American leanings (born after all on (Mountain Tear). The realities Sola and the Englishman William the 4th of July), of his appointment of American democracy had not Hartnell, Vallejo was coached in as comandant general (hence the title matched his dreams. His son-in­ politics, English, French, Latin and “General Vallejo” although he was law paid for his funeral when he accounting at an early age. At only only a colonel in the Mexican Army), died on January 18, 1890. Part 2 15 he was the secretary of California and of his imprisonment at Sutter’s of this series shows his hand-drawn Governor Luis Arguello. FortduringtheU.S.-MexicanWarin map of the Bandini House, and AcadetintheMontereyCompany the five volume Historical and Personal the challenge translator Cynthia by1824,helaterbecameamemberof Memoirs Relating to Alta California Hernandez had bringing its original the territorial legislature (diputacion), and the 36 volume Documentos para la Historia de California (Bancroft meaning to light. Cosmopolitan Chronicle. True tales from the annals of history, archaeology, construction, and restoration of the Casa de Bandini & Cosmopolitan Hotel.

VOL. IV, No. 20 San Diego, Alta California, January 22, 2009 Price: Free

MARIANO VALLEJO AND THE “GENERAL’S” MAP, PART 2.

Cynthia hernandez. Archaeological Project Leader/Interpreter.

s a translator of historic documents, I have the A opportunity to read documents that allow me to know details about the everyday life and history of the individuals who wrote them. I then have to find the words in English to convey the information and not lose the style and intention of the author. One challenge is to find the meaning of many words that are not used anymore. Recently I was asked to review an undatedmapbyMarianoGuadalupe Vallejo of the Bandini House which shows the distribution of rooms and patios.Luckily,Vallejo’shandwriting was very clear. He said that the front of the house was about 77 feet wide, the back of the house was about 220 feet long, that the house had one courtyard, one backyard, a barnyard, three rooms, two living rooms, (one divided by a thin wood partition), one dining room, a larder, hallways, an entrance hall, kitchen, foundations for two more rooms, a Courtesy of the Bancroft Library University of California, Berkeley. roomfor storing horseharnesses and a three seat latrine near the oven. Cosmopolitan Chronicle. True tales from the annals of history, archaeology, construction, and restoration of the Casa de Bandini & Cosmopolitan Hotel.

VOL. IV, No. 21 San Diego, Alta California, January 29, 2009 Price: Free

Minovi explained that the walls. While the earlier wallpaper IF THE WALLS wallpaper was on a layer of very was made with hand-carved smooth mud plaster over adobe wooden blocks, later on these were COULD TALK. blocks. There are fragments of replaced with a wooden cylinder red fired brick in this mud plaster. which was rolled over a continuous Testing these brick fragments may sheet of paper. By the 1890s the use Cynthia hernandez. give us a relative date range for the of wallpaper declined because it Archaeological Project wallpaper. was hard to clean, and considered Leader/Interpreter. The wallpaper is very brittle, unsanitary,andsomemanufacturers the floral design is almost gone, developed waterproof wallpapers. art of the process of the original colors are gone with Woodpulpwasthemaincomponent the restoration of the the exception of some faint light of machine-made wallpaper in the P Cosmopolitan Hotel is green and it’s very difficult to make 1850s, which made it brittle and the curation of the artifacts found. out the pattern. A professional brown. These could be the ones dug up curator will have to do the final It is hard to know exactly what duringarchaeologicalinvestigations curation and stabilization. In the happened in this doorway. What or parts of the building that are meantime, we archaeologists are was that black dusty layer? Was recovered and saved as samples committed to giving “first aid” to it mold seeping through the adobe of the different construction the artifacts, to protect them and bricks?Couldthisbethereasonwhy periods the building underwent avoid further damage. In our role the wallpaper was whitewashed through the years. A curator is of “first responders”, we dusted over? The archaeologist’s task is to the specialist that oversees the the wallpaper with a soft brush, listen to what the walls have to say. care, research, documentation and photographed it, and stored it in proper packaging and storage of between acid free tissue paper, collections. acid free cardboard, and inside an Archaeological project leader archival plastic box to keep it away Niloufar Minovi recently recovered from light and moisture. two pieces of wallpaper from room Although the floral pattern was 104-B, which is located on the faded a similar pattern was found side facing Calhoun Street. The that dates between the 1840s and wallpaper was peeling off a three 1880s. (The photo at the end of this foot reveal. The reveal is the area article was enhanced to show the on the sides of an opening. The floral pattern.) whitewash over the wall paper was In the early 1700s wallpaper was peeling off and it was possible to see used in public buildings, and by a faint pattern of green flowers and 1760 it was starting to be used by leaves. A black dusty layer was also wealthy families. By the 1820s its noticed in between the whitewash use was more common and more and the floral pattern. families could afford to paper their Cosmopolitan Chronicle. True tales from the annals of history, archaeology, construction, and restoration of the Casa de Bandini & Cosmopolitan Hotel.

VOL. IV, No. 22 San Diego, Alta California, February 5, 2009 Price: Free

Extensive shoring was constructed to ensure the safety SAVING of not only the construction crew but the building itself. Eagle Restoration Group Inc., was sub­ ROOM 106. contracted by Soltek Pacific to construct these new segments of niCole turner. adobe wall. The new construction San Diego Coast District. took about a month to complete. Archaeological Project Leader. walls, a 2’strip spanning the This was done slowly one segment room. It was suggested that the at a time to avoid wall collapse. walls be shored and this strip be In the end we had a solid room ome months ago we were replaced with solid adobe block strong enough to support the faced with a dilemma one segment at a time. All of upper floor and were able to save S of how to deal with the the variables had to be weighed; over 70% of the historic fabric damaged east end of the Calhoun cost, health and safety, and the in this room. This was quite a St. Wing, known as Room 106. preservation of historic fabric. triumph for those of us working The upper portions of these walls were cored in order to determine the condition of the adobe block. Specialists were brought in to offer their expertise. A final decision on what to do here would take several months. Finally work ensued. The result was a triumph which involved saving the majority of the historic fabric The walls in this eastern adobe and replacing only the damaged on the building doing what we room were in terrible shape and portions of the room. can to preserve California’s would assuredly not meet health history for the future. and safety regulations. The most popular suggestion was to demo the entire room and reconstruct it with new materials. However, in the interest of preservation this was not the best option. Most of the damage to the adobe was in the center of these Cosmopolitan Chronicle. True tales from the annals of history, archaeology, construction, and restoration of the Casa de Bandini & Cosmopolitan Hotel.

VOL. IV, No. 23 San Diego, Alta California, February 12, 2009 Price: Free

THE MYSTERY OF THE not done on site. So, as a clue of been located, large amounts of CASA DE BANDINI ROOF. the roofing material, it isn’t much removed plaster was revealed, help and several boards that were A painting by A. Sauerwein reused in the Couts Jr. remodel William F. mennell. in 1858, several roofs in San were discovered. Some of these San Diego Coast District Diego, the Casa de Estudillo boards helped in knowing the Services Manager. for example, have red roofs, framing configuration of the indicating tile. Interestingly, the porch roof in 1869. And a layer roof on the Casa de Bandini is of broken roof tiles was found. It rom paintings, photos, painted a light tan. This could is well documented that an entire written documentation, have been done so the viewer wing of the casa was destroyed in F and evidence found could see the where one building 1862, by a series of storms, a flood, during the current restoration, stopped and another started, or and an earthquake, Nothing but we know the Casa de Bandini/ perhaps the roof was thatch at the the foundation remains. There Cosmopolitan Hotel has gone time. In both North American, are little to no records of the through a number of roofs. We and European thatching, reeds building between 1862, and 1869. can see from photographs that the or straw are used. Reeds were We know that whatever was left original Seeley roof was replaced easily available at the time in of the Bandini roof would had in 1930 by Cave Couts Jr. From San Diego, and so were people to have been removed to add witness marks and measurements who had the skills needed to the second story. Had there taken from those photos, the build a thatch roof. Thatching been usable tiles, it is possible roofline matching the 1869 roof is excellent insulation, in most they were reused on another has recently been completed, cases better than fiberglass, and building or buildings, either and shingled. The mystery is can last up to 70 years. during the time the building was trying to figure out the roof that There are however, problems vacant, or at the time of Seeley’s is missing, the roof of the single with this assumption. One construction. Like the Cosmo’s story Casa de Bandini. conflict is a written account from bar, and Seeley’s windmills, The first know image is an 1858, wherein a storm blows tiles things that go missing are rarely 1850 lithograph by C.G. Conts, off Bandini’s “main house.” And recorded. Perhaps at some point depicting both the Estudillo roof, in 1861, Under the direction of in the future during research of and the Bandini roof the same Ephraim Morse, a local merchant another building, we will find greenish grey, uniform with and family friend, the tile roof a note that their roof tiles came almost all the roofs depicted, even was re-patched (124 tiles), by from the Casa de Bandini. though the California Indians in Jesus Gonzales. The tiles cost the foreground have red in their three cents each, labor was $45. clothing. But, the lithograph was During the archaeological made by Britton and Rey of San investigation of this restoration, Francisco, so the colours were many cobble foundations have Cosmopolitan Chronicle. True tales from the annals of history, archaeology, construction, and restoration of the Casa de Bandini & Cosmopolitan Hotel.

VOL. IV, No. 24 San Diego, Alta California, February 19, 2009 Price: Free

WEARING TWO HATS: courses of brick at the base of the cross and end walls. They were HISTORIC PRESERVATION & part of an historic stairway that STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY. was constructed in 1872-1874, and once led to the second-story annex. ViCtor a. Walsh. The stairway appeared on the San Diego Coast District Historian. 1937 Historic American Building Survey (HABS) drawings, but was probably removed in 1947-1950, n June 2009, student intern when the building was remodeled Chris Fuerstnau and I by Frank Cardwell. began work on repairing The framing in the ceiling, which I was constructed for the stairway the adobe walls in a small room compromised and altered over facing Calhoun Street. Our scope opening to the second floor, has time. Many of the bricks were not of work included removing chicken iron cut square-head nails in the only broken, but they had been put wire, cement stucco, and other non- toeholds. The lime plaster contains in piecemeal without any consistent historic material from the walls, horsehairs, suggesting that it dates pattern (i.e., header-stretcher). In re-blocking them with adobe brick, to when the Cosmopolitan Hotel addition, the lime plaster was not and then applying a scratch, brown, operated in the building (1869­ evenly applied in the joints, but and finish coat of mud plaster to the 1888). simply plastered over much of the walls. Chris and I were able to preserve brick surface, suggesting this was This was a hands-on learning the wood framing in the ceiling done later, perhaps as part of the experience. We learned not only the and the lime plaster remnants, but 1930 rehabilitation undertaken by fundamentals of scoring and laying the bricks, except in a few cases, Cave Couts, Jr. when he covered adobe brick, tapering and leveling were removed. First, they bulged the walls with cement stucco. walls, and mixing and applying so far out as to prevent plumb bob Removing the bricks, even though mud plaster, but also the challenges measurements along the wall base. they were photo-documented of when to remove or preserve in Second, the lime plaster mortar by Nini Minovi, raised another place historic fabric. was dust. It lacked any residual question about how best to interpret This presented a quandary. As strength. The bricks were held in the missing stairway visually. preservationists, we wanted to leave place behind plywood attached Fortunately, the witness marks of the historic fabric intact to show to the cement stucco with chicken thestairwayplatformleftanimprint the different layers of construction. wire. in the adobe cross wall. Chris and But as masons, we were equally Third,theadobeinmanysections I re-plastered the indentation to concerned about structural behind the brick had melted enhance its visibility. It should be integrity, efficient use of time, and or broken off. To re-block this obvious to future visitors that a future maintenance-related issues. area with adobe bricks required stairway or something similar once After removing the cement removing nearly all of the bricks, abutted the adobe walls. stucco, we discovered four-to-six Fourth, their structural and historic integrity had been Cosmopolitan Chronicle. True tales from the annals of history, archaeology, construction, and restoration of the Casa de Bandini & Cosmopolitan Hotel.

VOL. IV, No. 25 San Diego, Alta California, February 26, 2009 Price: Free

Judge Hayes, whom he described ferried across the San Diego THE HISTORIAN & as “a small shriveled-up man, River, then swollen from winter THE COMMANDER. approaching sixty, ragged and rainstorms, by boat, while Seeley rusty in his apparel,” who lived in drove an empty mud wagon across an “old adobe house” (the Casa de the river. He called Seeley “our ViCtor a. Walsh. San Diego Coast District Historian. Carrillo) with a floor “carpeted courteous commander,” noting his with dirt.” “Papers and books attentiveness and expertise with (were) stowed away in trunks, horses. n February of 1874, the cupboards, and bookshelves in A short distance from the river, historian, Hubert Howe luxurious confusion.” the passengers were transported Bancroft, sailed by steamer He described Rufugio from their “comfortable covered I with his daughter Kate Argüello, Juan Bandini’s widow, wagon to an open one” coming and friend Henry S. Oak, from whom he would later meet at the from the opposite direction. The San Francisco to New Town San fashionable Pico House in Los commander, sensing inclement Diego. Angeles in hopes of purchasing weather, gave the historian a thick California’s preeminent her husband’s papers, as “this woolen blanket. historian and librarian came south portly Mexico-California relic.” Once in the lighter wagon, to meet Judge Benjamin Hayes of He referred to her step-daughter it suddenly began to rain, and Old Town in hopes of purchasing Arcadia, who had married Abel Bancroft, his daughter, and friend his books and manuscripts on Stearns, the wealthiest man in took shelter under a “sagged historic California—a collection Los Angeles, as a “sweet señora of blanket” until they changed that Bancroft claimed was “by the million dollars….graceful for wagons and drivers about 3 p.m. far the most valuable in the state” one so fat,…” Early that evening, they arrived with the exception of his own. No one, rich or poor, American “wet and cold” at Mission San Luis Bancroft’s diary, Personal or Hispanic, seemed to escape Rey in Oceanside, where they ate Observations, provides a vivid Bancroft’s literary angst except a meal of fish, stew, and oak-leaf but jaundiced description of Old Albert Seeley, whom he met on tea with milk before traveling on Town. He dismissed the place February 25, when his daughter, to Mission San Juan Capistrano, as nothing more than “a heap of friend, and he caught the 11 their overnight stop. adobe ruins.” “Everything about it o’clock stage out of Old Town is old and dilapidated… (even) the from the Cosmopolitan Hotel to graves are so old and rickety that Los Angeles. the dead can hardly rest in them.” Although Bancroft left no record He compared the abandoned of his impression of the hotel, his hillside presidio to a place that diary does describe in surprising “now has the appearance of some detail the trip out of Old Town in ancient earth works.” a Concord stage driven by Seeley. On the second day, he visited Bancroft mentions that they were Cosmopolitan Chronicle. True tales from the annals of history, archaeology, construction, and restoration of the Casa de Bandini & Cosmopolitan Hotel.

VOL. IV, No. 26 San Diego, Alta California, March 5, 2009 Price: Free

Santiago Argüello, commandant sent as one of three messengers to of the presidio. Her mother, Pilar Stockton after the battle at San REFUGIO’S Ortega, was also from a very well Pasqual, made his way to San Diego established political family. Most throughenemylinesandrolleddown REFUGE. unusual for those times, Pilar could a cactus canyon. The night of Beale’s read and write and undoubtedly arrival, the Bandini family spent the she taught her daughter well. So the night pulling cactus thorns out of ellen sWeet. talented Refugio became mother to his body. We can visualize Doña Historian. the six Bandini children: Josefa, Refugio coming to his aid. Alejandro, Arcadia, Ysidora, José In July 1847, when Company B of María, and Juan Bautista. She and theMormonBattalionwastobesent he ably seconded her Juan addedfivemore childrento the to Los Angeles to be discharged, the talented husband in family: Dolores, Margarita, Juan de people of Old Town were so pleased “S dispensing princely la Cruz, Alfredo, and Arturo. with the help they had received from hospitality to all strangers within These children grew up in the the Mormons (wells dug and walled their gates, of whatever nation or Casa de Bandini and at the various with brick, sidewalks laid, chimneys Los party” was the tribute in the family ranchos. Daughters Dolores built, buildings and fences repaired Angeles Times obituary for Refugio and Ysidora were even married in and whitewashed) that they brought Argüello de Bandini. Refugio (1817­ the sala (living room) of the Casa de refreshments to the plaza and Mrs. 1891) was Juan Bandini’s second Bandini in January and April, 1851, Refugio Bandini gave a speech wife. His first wife, María de los respectively. In later years Refugio asking Company B to stay. She Dolores Estudillo (1805-1833), died fondly recalled the social events and wanted to present them with the shortly after giving birth to her sixth festivities that were held in her home. plaza flag. child. “How often did we spend half the And, of course, there is the famous While Juan Bandini had night, at a tertulia—till 2 o’clock in the story (with many variations) of how allied himself with the prominent morning—in the most agreeable and Doña Refugio and her daughters Estudillo family of San Diego, he distinguished society. Our house supposedly sewed, using their now found himself a widower with would be full of company; thirty or petticoats for fabric, the first U.S. young children and an elderly father. forty persons at the table; it would flag made in California. Perhaps his brother-in-law’s wife, have to be set twice.” In later years, after her husband’s Victoria Dominguez de Estudillo, While it is somewhat difficult to death, Refugio lived at Los Coyotes helped out. But the Estudillo family learn details of Señora Bandini’s life, nearLosAngeles.Comingfullcircle, was rapidly expanding. So Juan we have glimpses of her role. We we see the name Refugio Argüello Bandini married Refugio Argüello know that during the U.S.-Mexican de Bandini in the Cosmopolitan in February 1835 at the San Diego War, the Bandini home became Register for July 5, 1873, as a guest Presidio Chapel. Commodore Robert F. Stockton’s in her former home, which was then Refugio came from a large and headquarters. One account related Albert Seeley’s hotel and stage stop. prominent family. Her father was how Edward F. Beale, who was