Old Town in San Diego in San Diego County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Don Antonio Aguirre

San Diego Merchant and Ranchero

— 1799 – 1860 —

Don Antonio Aguirre Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 28, 2005

1. Don Antonio Aguirre Marker

Inscription. 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 cowhides and tallow. Later, Aguirre became one of the largest landowners in California when he developed a successful ranching enterprise. Born in Spain, he also held Mexican and American citizenship in his lifetime. In 1850 he partnered with William Heath Davis to develop New Town San Diego. Aguirre was known for his charity and funded many projects including the construction of the Old Adobe Chapel on Conda Street, where he is buried.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1868.

Location. 32° 45.208′ N,

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117° 11.759′ W. Marker is in San Diego, California, in San Diego County. It is in Old Town. It is at the intersection of San Diego Avenue and Twiggs Street, on the right when traveling south on San Diego Avenue. Marker is located at the entrance to Don Aguirre Adobe, which now houses a retail business and a small museum, at the San Diego Avenue-Twiggs Street entrance to the Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: San Diego CA 92110, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Peninsular Ranges.

It is also in the American Borderlands

and on the Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

on the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Father Antonio Ubach (here, next to this marker); Old Town San Diego (here, next to this marker); Adobe Construction (within shouting

Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 28, 2005

2. Don Antonio Aguirre Marker

distance of this marker); Birthplace of The San Diego Union (within shouting distance of this marker); Birthplace of the San Diego Union (within shouting distance of this marker); Original Foundation Casa de Aguirre (within shouting distance of this marker); 1906 Old Town Convent (within shouting distance of this marker); Casa de Pedrorena de Altamirano (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Diego.

Also see . . .
1. San Diego History: Biography of Don Antonio Aguirre. (Submitted on September 21, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)
2. La Prensa San Diego Two Sisters and the “Saint”. The love story behind Old Town’s Casa de Aguirre (Submitted on September 21, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, May 29, 2015

3. Don Antonio Aguirre Marker

Don Antonio Aguirre image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, May 29, 2015

4. Don Antonio Aguirre

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, May 29, 2015

5. Don Antonio Aguirre

Don Antonio Aguirre Marker and Adobe image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 28, 2005

6. Don Antonio Aguirre Marker and Adobe

To the left of the steps is The Don Antonio Aguirre marker and to the right is the Father Ubach Marker. At far right is an Old Town San Diego Site Map.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 18, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 21, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 3,804 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 21, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 2, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 6. submitted on September 21, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.