History of Old Town in San Diego California

The area has long been inhabited by the Kumeyaay people. The first European to visit the region was Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo. A long-term resident of Spanish America Cabrillo was commissioned by Viceroy Antonio de Mendoza to continue the explorations of California. In 1542, Cabrillo named what is now known as San Diego, San Miguel. The San Diego Bay and the area of present-day San Diego were given their current names sixty years later by Sebastián Vizcaíno when he was mapping the coastline of Alta California for Spain in 1602. The explorers camped near a Native American village called Nipaguay and celebrated mass in honor of San Diego de Alcala (Saint Didacus of Alcalá). California was then part of the Viceroyalty of New Spain under the Audiencia of Guadalajara.

In 1769, Gaspar de Portolà and his expedition founded the Presidio of San Diego (military post), and on July 16, Franciscan friars Junípero Serra, Juan Viscaino and Fernando Parron raised and blessed a cross, establishing the first mission in Upper California, Mission San Diego de Alcala. Colonists began arriving in 1774; the following year, the native people rebelled. They killed the priest and two others, and burned the mission. Father Serra organized the rebuilding and two years later a fire-proof adobe structure was built. By 1797 the mission had become the largest in California, with over 1,400 natives associated with it.

 

As the Presidio was gradually abandoned,

The Decline of Old Town San Diego

Old Town grew and officially became a pueblo (town) under the Mexican government in 1835. When California became part of the United States in 1850. After Alonzo Horton started "New Town" in the 1860's (where downtown is today) there was a struggle as to where the town center would be. San Diego's center was relocated from Old Town to New Town in 1872. People began to abandon Old Town for newer homes in downtown San Diego.

Old Town Today

Old Town's historical significance has grown, as well as the desire by many people to see San Diego as it was, when it was a little pueblo by the river, on the edge of the bay. In 1968, the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation established Old Town State Historic Park to preserve the rich heritage that characterized San Diego during the 1821 to 1872 period. The park includes a main plaza, exhibits, museums and living history demonstrations. The park is free to all visitors and it is the most visited state park in the country. Visitors are offered a glimpse into yesteryear, as converging cultures transformed San Diego from a Mexican pueblo to an American settlement. The core of restored original historic buildings from the interpretive period are complemented by reconstructed sites, along with early twentieth century buildings designed in the same mode. The Historic Plaza remains a gathering place for community events and historic activity. Five original adobe buildings are part of the historic park, which includes museums, unique retail shops, and several restaurants.