OLD TOWN HISTORICAL BUILDINGS AND MUSEUMS

McCoy House
Originally built in 1869, was originally the residence of the Sheriff James McCoy. This style of house was popular among the wealthy in the 19th century. it now houses Old Towns Parks history museum and Interpretive Center. Guded tours and self guided tours are available.

Robinson Rose
Former home of James W. Robinson, aSan Diego Herald. After a fire destroyed the building in 1874, it fell into ruin. California State Parks reconstructed in 1989 and it serves as the park's Visitor Center and includes a diorama of Old Town San Diego in 1872.

Casa Machado de Wrightington
One of the original Adobe houses built in the late Mexican period in 1869. It was at this house that Senora de Silvas cut away the Mexican Flag in 1869. It was also once home to a U.S. Military hospital. Today it serves as a park concession.

San Diego House
Adobe home constructed in 1841. It was then bought by Richard Freeman and Allen Light in 1847. Freeman was the towns constable and they are most notable as the first African American to settle in San Diego. In the 1860's it was the American Hotel and today it serves as a park site.

United States House
Once a general store run by Charles Noell and John Hayes in 1850. The U.S. House also served as a restaurant, boarding house and an Express Wagon office.

La Casa de Machado y Silvas
Built prior to 1845, this adobe structure was a wedding gift from Jose Manuel Machado to his daughter, Maria Antonia. It had three rooms and three dorways. Maria converted it into the Commercial Restaurant in the 1850's. It is one of the five original 19th century adobes in Old Town Historic Park.

Racine and Laramie
Was San Diego's first cigar store opened in 1869 by Alexis Racine a Canadian that emigrated from Quebec. The store sold cigars, tobacco, stationary, pipes, cutlery and gentleman's furnishings. Today it houses several antique pipes and knives and acts as a museum.

Colorado House
Built in 1851, the Colorado House was a two story hotel owned by Cave Johnson Couts. Later it was leased to several businesses including The San Diego Herald, a surgeon, a jeweler and hairdresser. Today it houses Wells Fargo Bank and is a museum. Inside is a Wells Fargo Stage coach and several historical pieces.

San Diego Courthouse
First brick building in Old Town, built by the Mormon Battalion. It was originally built for the town hall, then in 1869 the building served as the city and county courthouse. It was damaged in the 1872 fire and has been reconstructed and is today a museum, complete with a jail cell located just behind the courthouse.

La Casa de Machado y Stewart
Was originally built in 1836 by Corporal Jose Manuel Machado. Later after the corporal death his daughter Rosa, who married John S. Stewart a shipmate raised 11 children here. Today it is a museum displaying several historical pieces and has a large vegetable garden.

Mason Street School
Built in 1865, The Mason School was the first public school in San Diego County. The school was a one room wood frame shingle roof building.

La Casa Pedrorena
Built in 1842, Originally the home of Miguel Pedrorena, Jr. It was a thick wall adobe house, with white washed walls. Pedrorena was a member of the Old Madrid family, and became a captain in our Army during the Mexican War. It was he who saved the famous gun "El Jupiter" now standing in Presidio Park.

The Seeley Stable
Well built two story barn like structure used to stable horsesand house stagecoaches. It was constructed by Albert Seeley, who operated a stage line between San Diego and Los Angeles. Today it houses a collection of horse drawn carriages, saddles, branding irons and several western memorabilia.

La Casa de Bandini
Was the original one story home of Juan A Bandini, and American patriot. Bandini frequently held huge parties here. It was later sold to Alfred Seeley, who added a second story and transformed it into a fasionable hotel, called the Cosmopolitan Hotel. Today it is a local Mexican restaurant.

San Diego Union
Was built in 1868, by the Altamirano family. After the demise of the San Diego Herald the city was without a paper and in 1868 The San Diego Union was born. The bulding is completeley restored, depicting a typical newsroom layout and editors office. It even has an authentic Washington press on display.

Johnson House
Was built in 1870, Home to George Johnson, who operated a steamboat on the Colorado River, and his wife Maria Estéfana Alvarado Johnson. They also owned the Penasquitos Adobe Ranch. In 1880 the Johnson's lost their rancho to creditors and moved to this building in the plaza. It was reconstructed in 1989.

 

La Casa de Estudillo
Built in 1829, by Jose Maria Estudillo a retired San Diego Presidio Commander. It is a U shape adobe building, that once acted as the social and religious center for San Diego during its Mexican period.

Whaley House
Considered to be one of the most haunted houses in America.

Sheriffs Museum
Located 100 feet from where the first cobblestone jail stood. Celebrating the history of law enforcement. With over 200 different types of guns on display. This is a great place to register and fingerprint your child. On San Diego Street just past Arista, next to the El Campo Cemetery.

Church of the Immaculate Conception
In 1925 it was transformed to the order of Saint Francis

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