Established in 1968, the Old Town San Diego State Historic Park is a living history museum that commemorates and preserves numerous historic buildings and recreates Old Town as it existed during the Mexican and early American periods, from its settlement in 1821, through 1872 when it lost its dominant position to Downtown.
Five original adobe buildings are part of the complex, which includes shops, restaurants and museums. Other historic buildings include a schoolhouse, a blacksmith shop, San Diego’s first newspaper office, a cigar and pipe store, houses and gardens, and a stable with a carriage collection.
Casa de Estudillo
Constructed in 1825 as the home of Don Jose Antonio de Estudillo, a Spanish aristocrat. It became a sanctuary for women and children during the American occupation in 1846. For a number of years it was incorrectly identified as “Ramona’s Marriage Place” from Helen Hunt Jackson’s “Ramona”. The adobe structure is considered to be one of Old Town’s outstanding show places.
Church of the Immaculate Conception
Begun in 1868 by Father Antonio D. Ubach. Due to the boom that set in for the New San Diego, the church was not completed and dedicated until 1919.
Colorado House
Originally a hotel, now houses the Wells Fargo Museum. The building is a reconstruction of the 1860 original. The Wells Fargo Museum is a historically furnished Wells Fargo agent’s office, including one of the famous 30 Coaches shipped to Wells Fargo in 1867
Whaley House
One of the most historic buildings in Old Town San Diego, the Whaley House was built in 1857 by Thomas Whaley, a San Diego pioneer, as his family home. Over the course of history the Whaley House has served as a general store, county courthouse and theatre. Apparently known as the most haunted house in America and after-hours they run paranormal tours.
Robinson-Rose House
James Robinson built this two-story structure in 1853 as his family residence and as the home of the San Diego Herald, the San Diego and Gila Railroad office and other private offices.
San Diego Union Newspaper
This wood-frame structure was prefabricated in Maine and shipped around the Horn in 1851. This first office of the San Diego Union newspaper is restored as it was when the Union printed its first edition on October 10, 1868.
Mason Street Schoolhouse
Built in 1865, the Schoolhouse was the first publicly owned school in San Diego County. The building was a one-room, wood-frame, shingle-roofed structure with a ten foot high ceiling. A pot-bellied iron stove heated the room, and a water bucket and dipper provided the only indoor plumbing. All eight grades were taught in the single room.
Although it seems a little bit like a film set, it is still an interesting place to visit. And admission is free. Next time I will show you some of the more colourful aspects of this open museum.
Source of information from Old Town San Diego guide.
TRAVEL WORDS 
I can’t believe that rule book!!
So it’s OK for men to go courting, but not women. How does that even work?
With difficulty 😄
I guess the men can’t court any teachers!
Poor female teachers… destined to remain spinsters.
Or lose their job!
That happened here too! Crazy rules.
And it appears to suggest that getting married is something shameful!
You’re introducing us to parts of America way beyond the tourist must-sees. So interesting – thanks.
When you are on your own all day you tend to visit all the tourist sites. This is very popular actually and easy to get to from downtown SD.
You made good use of your time.
We made several visits to SD as OH was a contractor for a company based there. While he worked I got to play 😊
I can’t help wondering if those instructions to the teachers are authentic.
Yes, some of them are a little unusual. Though it wasn’t until 1919 that married women were allowed to work as teachers in the UK.
The US does do living history so well, I find! We missed this on our visit to San Diego many years ago (maybe it didn’t even exist?) but I’ve been to similar places elsewhere. They may seem a little like a film set but they do bring history alive and preserve buildings that might otherwise be lost. I’m always fascinated by these old one room schoolhouses in particular, perhaps thanks to Little House on the Prairie! Those rules seem antiquated but my guess is that they are genuine 😀
Well it says it was established in the 1960s. I went in 2010 I think after I had explored most of downtown SD on previous visits. A good place for Mexican restaurants.
We were in SD in 1991 but only for a day!
Ah, well there is a lot to see in downtown SD without going elsewhere. I think I had three visits there so made a point of exploring different areas each time. I would have liked to have popped over to TJ but the OH wasn’t keen.
Those old buildings have real charm. I could definitely live in the Robinson-Rose house, with those lovely big porches to sit out on.
Best wishes, Pete. x
Wait until you see next week’s post!
That looks like such an interesting place! Like others, I find the rules strange but not implausible. Apart from the restrictions on courtship, I was struck by the seeming iniquity of getting shaved in a barber shop.
I know. What is that about?
Bizarre!
Some cultures those courtship rules are still happening here. Les’s nephew married an Indian woman who is Muslim. Interesting architecture and those large porches I really like.
We women have come a long way from those times, but yes, certain religions still have archaic rules and what is happening in Afghanistan is appalling.
No easy answer for what’s happening in parts of the world.
I visited here years ago and really loved feeling part of the history there 🙂
I enjoyed seeing the buildings, though some of the rest is a little too touristy for me.
What an interesting place and so well preserved
It is interesting in a very touristy way.
Looks like a fascinating glimpse of the past. I was very intrigued to see that rule 6 classified marriage along with ‘other unseemly conduct’ for women but at the same time, men were allowed evenings off for courting…double standards, eh?