Old Town San Diego State Historic Park Facts for Kids

This page is about the California state historic park. For the neighborhood of San Diego, see Old Town, San Diego. For the Old Town transit center, see Old Town Transit Center (MTS Transit Center).

Quick facts for kids Significant dates

Old Town San Diego Historic District
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Historic district

(2015)
Location in San Diego Show map of San Diego Location in California Show map of California
Location	San Diego, California
Area	29.08 acres (117,700 m²)
Built	1825
Architectural style	Colonial
NRHP reference No.	71000182
Added to NRHP	September 3, 1971

Old Town San Diego State Historic Park is a special place in San Diego, California. It's a state park that protects and celebrates the early history of San Diego, from about 1820 to 1870. The park was created in 1968.

Many old buildings from that time are preserved here. In 2005 and 2006, it was the most visited state park in California. This historic area was recognized as a California Historical Landmark in 1969. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.

History of Old Town San Diego
Attractions in the Park
- Museums and Historic Buildings
Nearby Attractions
Gallery
See also

History of Old Town San Diego

The very first European settlement on the West Coast of what is now the United States was the San Diego Presidio. This was a military fort built by Gaspar de Portolà in 1769. It was part of Spanish California.

The Mission San Diego de Alcalá was also started in the same year by Father Junípero Serra. Both the Presidio and the Mission were first built on a hill. This hill is now Presidio Park, right next to Old Town State Historic Park.

From Presidio Hill to Old Town

After five years, the Mission moved to a new spot further up the San Diego River. The Presidio Hill stayed the main settlement for many years. This was because it was a good place to defend against attacks.

But as the need for defense went down, people wanted to live closer to the river. So, in the 1820s, the town of San Diego grew at the bottom of the hill. This is the area we now call Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. The old Presidio fort was left and slowly fell apart.

Mexican and Early American Periods

During the time when Mexico ruled California, Old Town was the main center for business and government. This was true even though only a few hundred people lived there. Richard Henry Dana, Jr. wrote about San Diego during this time in his famous book Two Years Before the Mast.

In 1834, the Mexican government made San Diego a "pueblo" or official town. However, it lost this status in 1838 because its population got too small. One problem was that the town was far from the water. All goods had to be brought ashore at Point Loma and carried several miles to the town.

When California joined the United States in 1850, San Diego became the county seat of San Diego County. At this time, the town's population was only about 650 people.

The Rise of New Town

Old Town was the heart of San Diego until the 1860s. Then, a man named Alonzo Horton started building a "New Town" closer to the bay. This new area is where Downtown San Diego is today.

People and businesses quickly moved from Old Town to Horton's New Town. This was because New Town was much closer to shipping and trade. In 1871, government offices also moved to a new courthouse in New Town. From then on, Downtown became the main part of San Diego.

Old Town San Diego State Historic Park helps us remember what Old Town was like. It shows how it looked during the Mexican and early American times, from 1821 until 1872.

Today, Old Town is a very popular place for tourists. It's especially known for its Mexican restaurants. The state park has several places to eat. You can also find other restaurants and gift shops nearby.

Attractions in the Park

The Cosmopolitan Hotel

The First San Diego Courthouse, now the Courthouse Museum, (left) and Colorado House, home of the Wells Fargo History Museum (right)

The park has five original adobe buildings. It also includes many shops, restaurants, and museums. Other old buildings you can see are:

a schoolhouse
a blacksmith shop
San Diego's first newspaper office
a cigar and pipe store
historic houses and gardens
a stable with old carriages

You can also find stores where local artists show how they make their crafts. There is no charge to enter the state park or any of its museums.

Museums and Historic Buildings

The museums and historic buildings in the park include:

Casa de Estudillo: An adobe house built in 1827. It is a National Historic Landmark.
Casa de Machado y Silvas: An adobe house from the 1840s.
Casa de Machado y Stewart: A restored adobe house from the 1800s.
Blackhawk Smithy & Stable: Here you can see blacksmiths doing demonstrations.
Colorado House: A rebuilt hotel from the 1850s. It now holds the Wells Fargo History Museum. You can see a recreated 19th-century stagecoach stop and telegraph office.
First San Diego Courthouse: A rebuilt courthouse from the mid-1800s.
Johnson House: A rebuilt office building from the mid-1800s. It later became the home of George Alonzo Johnson.
Mason Street School: This was the first public school in San Diego.
Racine and Laramie ("La Casa de Rodriguez"): A rebuilt tobacconist shop from the mid-1800s.
San Diego Union Museum: A newspaper office and print shop from the mid-1800s.
Seeley Stables: A rebuilt stable from the mid-1800s. It shows horse-drawn buggies, wagons, and carriages.
Cosmopolitan Hotel and Restaurant ("La Casa de Bandini"): A restored hotel from 1870. It still works as a hotel and restaurant today.

You can often see people dressed in old clothes showing how things were done long ago. There are also free tours. Park staff and volunteers help explain the history. The Mexican Commercial corner has many small local businesses and artists.

Nearby Attractions

Next to the state park is Heritage County Park. This park has seven buildings from the 1880s and 1890s. They were moved here from other parts of the city.

Also close by is the Mormon Battalion Monument and Visitor Center. The city-owned Presidio Park is on the hill next to Old Town. This is where the first Presidio of San Diego was built.

The San Diego Sheriff's Museum and Educational Center is in Old Town. It has police gear, uniforms, a patrol car, a helicopter, a motorcycle, a jail cell, and a courtroom.