| California (San Diego County), Coronado — 844 — Hotel del Coronado |
| | This Victorian hotel, built in 1887, is one of America’s largest wooden buildings. Few seaside resort hotels of this significant architectural style remain in America. The hotel has hosted several presidents and other national figures. — Map (db m11108) |
| California (San Diego County), Escondido — An Incident of the Mexican War |
| | The Army sent from Santa Fe to occupy California was met and defeated by the Mexicans at San Pasquale. The American forces were driven upon a butte in the desert, on which there was no water and there surrounded by the Mexican forces Edward F. Beale and Kit Carson, both famous explorers of the West volunteered to get through the Mexican lines and get reinforcements from Stockton’s fleet at San Diego. They succeeded in crawling past three cordons of Mexican sentries in the night, and by hiding . . . — Map (db m12865) |
| California (San Diego County), Lakeside — Mexican Grant — Commemorating Cañada de Los Coches Rancho, — Smallest Mexican Land Grant in Calif. |
| |
Granted in 1843 to Apolinaria Lorenzana by Governor Manuel Micheltorena. This is the site of the old grist mill.
Dedicated August 29, 1948
By the Cuyamaca Parlor Native Sons of the Golden West — Map (db m25923) |
| California (San Diego County), Oceanside — 239 — Mission San Luís Rey de Francia |
| | Founded June 12, 1798 by Father Lasuen, then president of the California missions, and administered by Father Peyri. Notable for its impressive architecture—a composite of Spanish, Moorish, and Mexican. — Map (db m401) |
| California (San Diego County), San Diego — 49 — Adobe Chapel of The Immaculate Conception |
| | Originally built as the home of San Diego’s John Brown in 1850, the house was converted to a church by Don Jose Aguirre in 1858. Father Antonio D. Ubach , formally a missionary among the Indians, was parish priest here from 1866 to 1907. It is said that he was the model for “Father Caspara” in Helen Hunt Jackson’s Ramona. In 1937 the WPA rebuilt the adobe chapel close to its original site. — Map (db m11652) |
| California (San Diego County), San Diego — Birthplace of The San Diego Union |
| | A pioneer newspaper of California
Founded October 10, 1868 — Map (db m11661) |
| California (San Diego County), San Diego — Birthplace of The San Diego Union |
| | This birthplace of the San Diego Union
October 10, 1868
Oldest daily in Southern California,
is declared to be a
HISTORIC SITE IN JOURNALISM
by San Diego Professional Chapter
SIGMA DELTA CHI — Map (db m11664) |
| California (San Diego County), San Diego — Cabrillo’s Ships |
| | The first three sailing vessels to enter San Diego Bay came from the direction you are facing. They were the San Salvador, the Victoria and the San Miguel - Spanish vessels commanded by Juan Rodriquez Cabrillo. The San Salvador, a galleon, was about 100 feet (30 meters) long and weighed about 200 tons. The Victoria was a caravel, a smaller ship built for sailing in coastal waters. The bergantin San Miguel, with sails and oars, was used mainly for . . . — Map (db m15439) |
| California (San Diego County), San Diego — 60 — Casa de Lopez |
| | Built by Juan Francisco Lopez, one of San Diego's early Spanish settlers, the Casa Larga, or Long House, was among the first substantial houses built in the Pueblo of San Diego about 1835. In 1846 it was the home of Juan Matias Moreno, secretary to Pío Pico, California's last Mexican governor. — Map (db m11128) |
| California (San Diego County), San Diego — 70 — Casa de Pedrorena de Altamirano |
| | Miguel Pedrorena Jr. built this adobe structure in 1869. It was the final adobe built in Old Town. In January 1871 Pedrorena gave the building to his sister Isabel de Altamirando, joining together two pioneer California families. Isabel and her husband Jose Antonio Altamirano raised their large family in this home. Isabel’s father, Miguel Pedrorena, was a prominent merchant in Mexican California, and represented the San Diego area at the California State Constitutional Convention held in 1849. . . . — Map (db m11777) |
| California (San Diego County), San Diego — Clifton A. F. Sprague, Vice Admiral, USN — Born 8 January 1896 - Died 11 April 1955 |
| | [Front]:
Awards
Navy Cross for the 25 October 1944 action off Samar. Admiral Sprague was aboard the escort carrier, USS Fanshaw Bay during this engagement.
Legion of Merit Medal for his command of the USS Wasp.
Gold Star in lieu of second Legion of Merit for the Morotai landings.
Gold Star in lieu of third Legion of Merit for the Iwo Jima and Okinawa operaitons.
Gold Star in lieu of fourth Legion of Merit for Operation Crossroads.
Presidential Unit Citation to Task Unit . . . — Map (db m8521) |
| California (San Diego County), San Diego — Derby Dike |
| | Until 1853 the erratic San Diego River dumped tons of debris into the harbor or poured into False Bay, now Mission Bay. At times it threatened to destroy Old Town San Diego. Lieutenant George Horatio Derby, U.S. Topographical Corps, built a dike that diverted the waters into False Bay. This was the first effort to tame the river, and one of the first U.S. Government projects in California. The river was not fully harnessed until the 1950s. — Map (db m11136) |
| California (San Diego County), San Diego — Don Antonio Aguirre — San Diego Merchant and Ranchero — 1799 – 1860 |
| | Don Jose Antonio Aguirre built his adobe mansion on this site on or just prior to 1868. Because the Casa de Aguirre was one of the first houses in Old Town, the Aguirre – Antonio, his wife Rosaria and their many children – are considered to be one of San Diego’s founding families. Don Antonio was a wealthy merchant and rancher who contributed greatly to the development of San Diego. Locally, he owned several ships and warehouses and imported goods from Peru and China in trade for . . . — Map (db m11648) |
| California (San Diego County), San Diego — 784 — El Camino Real |
| | This plaque is placed on the 250th anniversary of the birth of California’s Apostle Padre Junipero Serra O.F.M., to mark the Southern terminus of El Camino Real as Padre Serra knew it and helped to blaze it.
1713 – November 24 – 1963 — Map (db m11958) |
| California (San Diego County), San Diego — 68 — El Campo Santo (The Holy Field) |
| | El Campo Santo once included The Adobe Chapel on Conde Street, in which is buried Jose Antonio Aguirre and where funeral services were held for Maria Victoria Dominguez Estrillo, Cave Johnson Couts, and many distinguished early San Diegans, between 1849 and 1897. 477 persons were buried in these grounds. Antonio Garra was the most eminent of many Native Americans interred here. A number of graves were relocated after 1874. A street railway bisected the cemetery in 1894. The wall around this . . . — Map (db m11672) |
| California (San Diego County), San Diego — Estudillo House |
| | Has been designated a
REGISTERED NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK
Under the provisions of the
Historic Sites Act of August 21, 1935
This site possesses exceptional value
in commemorating or illustrating
the history of the United States — Map (db m11781) |
| California (San Diego County), San Diego — Father Antonio Ubach — Last of the Padres — 1835 – 1907 |
| | Antonio Dominic Ubach, passionate advocate for California Native Americans, and defender of Indian rights, ran St. Anthony’s Indian School on this site from 1856 to 1891. Father Ubach, created programs to help hundreds of Indian children adapt to an American society. He lobbied government to protect the Indians and their lands and was appointed by President Ulysses S. Grant to lead official missions of State. Father Ubach was immortalized in Helen Hunt Jackson’s 1884 novel Ramona as the . . . — Map (db m11647) |
| California (San Diego County), San Diego — First Raising of U.S. Flag |
| | On this site the United States Flag was first raised in Southern California by Lt. Stephen G. Rowan U.S.N., Commanding Sailors and Marines July 29, 1846. — Map (db m13043) |
| California (San Diego County), San Diego — 55 — Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery |
| | A burial ground before 1847, this graveyard became an Army post cemetery in the 1860s. It is the final resting place for most who fell at San Pasqual in 1846, and for the USS Bennington victims of 1905. It became Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in 1934 and was placed under the Veterans Administration National Cemetery System in 1973. Over 50,000 who served the U.S. honorably in war and peace lie here.
California Registered Historical Landmark No. 55
First registered Dec. 6, 1932. Plaque . . . — Map (db m24695) |
| California (San Diego County), San Diego — 54 — Fort Stockton |
| | Fortified briefly by Carlos Carrillo in 1838. This site became Fort Dupont (July –November 1846) after American forces took Old Town during the Mexican War. Retaken and held briefly by the Californios, it fell once more to the Americans, who renamed it Fort Stockton and used it as campaign headquarters for ending the Californio Revolt in early 1847. The Morman Battalion stayed here later that year. The post was abandoned on September 25, 1848. — Map (db m11784) |
| California (San Diego County), San Diego — Fray Junipero Serra |
| | Aca estaba “Cosoy” Antigua Ranchero de los indios Cabrillo la descurrio y la llama “San Miguel” 1542. Viscaino la visito y la nombro “San Diego de Alcada” 1602 aca
Fray Junipero Serra
Apostol de California y fundador de su civilizacion Erigno la Primera Cruz – Consagro la primera mission fundo el primer pueblo – San Diego
Julio 16, 1769
English translation:
Aca was "Cosoy" Old Rancher of the Indian Cabrillo the descurrio and . . . — Map (db m13055) |
| California (San Diego County), San Diego — Joao Rodrigues Cabrilho 1542 — Ao-Navegador-Portugues — Homena-Gen.DaMarinha D-Guerra Portuguesa |
| | To the Portuguese Navigator
Joao-Rodrigues Cabrilho
A tribute from the Portuguese Navy — Map (db m12887) |
| California (San Diego County), San Diego — Juan Bandini |
| | Dedicated to
JUAN BANDINI
1800 – 1859
Patriot and Friend of the United States — Map (db m13062) |
| California (San Diego County), San Diego — La Playa Trail |
| |
JEDEDIAH STRONG SMITH
Pathfinder of the Sierras
Here completed the first trail from
The Atlantic to the Pacific, Jan. 1827 — Map (db m14502) |
| California (San Diego County), San Diego — La Playa Trail |
| | The Oldest Commercial Trail
in the
Western United States — Map (db m14504) |
| California (San Diego County), San Diego — 538 — Mason Street School |
| | First public schoolhouse in this county. Erected at this site in 1865 and known as “Mason Street School – District No.1” when San Diego County covered an area larger than three New England states. Restored by popular subscription in 1955. — Map (db m11587) |
| California (San Diego County), San Diego — 242 — Mission San Diego de Alcala |
| | On Sunday, July 16, 1769 Fathers Junipero Serra, Juan Viscaino and Fernando Parron raised and blessed a cross to establish Alta, California’s 1st Mission. Relocated from Presidio Hill to this site in August 1774 the Mission was the mother of those founded in California by the Franciscan Order. The present buildings, first completed in 1813 were rebuilt in stages from 1915 to 1931 after many years of deterioration. They have been in use as a parish church since February 1941. — Map (db m15262) |
| California (San Diego County), San Diego — 51 — Old Point Loma Lighthouse |
| | This lighthouse built in 1854, was one of the first eight lighthouses on the Pacific Coast. It continued in use until 1891, when the new Pelican Point Lighthouse began operating. The Point Loma Lighthouse became the site of the Cabrillo National Monument in 1913. During World War II the Navy used it as a signal tower. Restored by the National Park Service in 1984, it remains as a reminder of contribution of 19th Century Lighthouse Keepers and their families to California’s maritime past. — Map (db m12881) |
| California (San Diego County), San Diego — 59 — San Diego Presidio Site |
| | Soldiers, sailors, Indians, and Franciscan missionaries from New Spain occupied the land at Presidio Hill on May 17, 1769 as a military outpost. Two months later, Fr. Junípero Serra established the first San Diego Mission on Presidio Hill. Officially proclaimed a Spanish Presidio on January 1, 1774, the fortress was later occupied by a succession of Mexican forces. The Presidio was abandoned in 1837 after San Diego became a pueblo. — Map (db m11134) |
| California (San Diego County), San Diego — 67 — Serra Palm |
| | Traditionally the earliest planted tree in California. Directly in the rear, beneath the brow of the hill, lie the dead of the sacred expedition of 1769. Burial place of our first unknown soldiers. — Map (db m11959) |
| California (San Diego County), San Diego — Services of the Mormon Battalion |
| | The historic march of the Mormon Battalion -- -- More than 2000 miles through the wilderness -- -- was made in fulfillment of official U.S. orders. Brigham Young, Prophet – Leader of the Mormons, personally recruited these troops. The Battalion blazed the first wagon trail to the Pacific over the Southern Route, was instrumental in acquiring the vast southwestern empire for the United States; and raised the Stars and Stripes for the first time over Fort Tucson and Fort Moore. Later some . . . — Map (db m14379) |
| California (San Diego County), San Diego — The Campanario — Mission San Diego de Alcala |
| | The Campanario is 46 feet high and holds the Mission bells. The crown-topped bell on the lower right is named Ava Maria Purisima – Immaculate Mary. It weighs 805 pounds and was cast in 1802. A crown-topped bell was usually supplied by the Spanish King and cast in the royal foundry in Barcelona at the Kings expense or made in a country ruled by Spain. Ava Maria Purisima was in the vestibule of St. Joseph’s church and was hung in the campanario after the reconstruction of Mission San Diego . . . — Map (db m14523) |
| California (San Diego County), San Diego — The Church — Mission San Diego de Alcala |
| | The church is 150 feet long, 35 feet wide and 29 feet high. The church is long and narrow and because the width of the building was determined by the height of the trees available for beams. Windows were built high for protection and to prevent the walls from collapsing under the weight of the adobe. Specially treated rawhide was used to cover the window openings instead of glass.
Military operation of the Mission San Diego began in 1847 when the Mormon Volunteer Battalion of the U.S. . . . — Map (db m14517) |
| California (San Diego County), San Diego — The Gravedigger of Old Town — Rafael Mamudes — (In Memory of) |
| | Rafael Mamudes was a native of Hermosillo and led an adventurous life. He was once a baker and followed his trade to Monterey. He also mined at Calaveras County and made a sea voyage to Guaymas, Mexico. When he came here to San Diego, he supported himself by doing day labor. He owned a little plot of land on which the old cobblestone jail once stood.
Legend has it that this hoary old Mexican man made a murderous attack upon his good wife. His penance was to ring the church bells whenever the . . . — Map (db m12664) |
| California (San Diego County), San Diego — The Mormon Battalion at San Diego |
| | On arriving at San Diego on January 29, 1847, soldiers of the Mormon Battalion occupied Fort Stockton on this site. They promptly began to improve this community, digging the first wells, crating the first pumps to draw water, building the first kiln in California, and used the brick to surface sidewalks, face wells, and buildings. They taught irrigation and built the first blacksmith shop and bakery. When orders came for them to leave, the citizens drew up a petition signed by every adult . . . — Map (db m14488) |
| California (San Diego County), San Diego — 65 — The Whaley House |
| | Built by Thomas Whaley in 1856-57, this is the oldest brick structure in Southern California. In addition to being the home of the Whaley Family, it served variously as granary, store, courthouse and school, and as the town’s first theater. Whaley’s home was the cultural center of San Diego as well as its most luxurious residence. — Map (db m11645) |
| California (San Diego County), San Diego — USS Gambier Bay CVE 73 and Composite Squadron VC-10 — United States Navy — In Memory of the Men Lost in Action |
| | [Panel 1]:
Eternal God who alone spreads out the heavens and rules the raging seas, may this memorial bring continued remembrance to the one hundred and thirty seven men who died defending their country in time of danger, and whose bodies found their last resting place in the waters of the Pacific. May it call to mind that they were called by their nation to defend liberty and preserve unity.
We do not what those who died in air and sea battles, often against hopeless odds, to . . . — Map (db m8480) |
| California (San Diego County), San Diego — USS Hoel * USS S. B. Roberts * USS Johnston — United States Navy — "In Everlasting Memory" |
| | Inscribed here are the names of 525 men who died in the Battle of Leyte Gulf during the liberation of the Philippine Islands on 25 Oct 1944. Their ships, the destroyers USS Johnston (DD-557) and USS Hoel (DD-533) and destroyer escort USS Samuel B. Roberts (DE-413), were sunk while fighting a vastly superior force of four battleships, eight cruisers and eleven destroyers in what was to be the last and longest surface battle of World War II.
May the names and sacrifice these brave men made . . . — Map (db m8428) |
| California (San Diego County), San Diego — 257 — Women of the Mormon Battalion |
| |
[Marker located on Front of Base:
Mormon women were anxious to reach the glorious West and any means offered seemed an answer to prayer to help them on their way. When it was learned four laundresses would be allowed each of the five companies, the wives of the soldiers made application and twenty were chosen. Men who could meet the expenses were permitted to take their families. Hence nearly eighty women and children accompanied the Battalion. They endured the hardships of the . . . — Map (db m14484) |
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