La Casa de Estudillo

About 1824, the soldiers of the Presidio of San Diego began building their houses outside the adobe walls of the fort. In 1827, José Antonio Estudillo, son of José María Estudillo, a captain in the presidial garrison, was granted a house lot. By 1829, he had completed the large house which still occupies the entire east side of town plaza. La Casa de Estudillo became San Diego’s social and religious center during the Mexican and early American periods. A large hall in his house served from the early 1830s until 1856 as the town chapel and as a school. In 1968, the casa became part of the California State Park system and was restored as a house museum under the supervision of architect Clyde Trudell. The restoration work was finished in 1969 and the house was furnished in time for San Diego’s 200th Anniversary. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Estudillo House.

San Diego, San Diego County
Photographer: John Bare