Old Town in San Diego in San Diego County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Mason Street School
Photographed by Craig Baker, March 9, 2026
1. Mason Street School Marker
Erected 1955 by San Diego County Board of Supervisors and The Historical Markers Committee. (Marker Number 538.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Notable Buildings • Notable Places • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1865.
Location. 32° 45.222′ N, 117° 11.851′ W. Marker is in San Diego, California, in San Diego County. It is in Old Town. It can be reached from Mason Street. Located on the grounds of Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3966 Mason St, San Diego CA 92110, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in California’s Peninsular Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in 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 Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: La Casa de Machado y Stewart (within shouting distance of this marker); A Presidio Soldier's Home (within shouting distance of this marker); First San Diego Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); La Casa de Rodriguez
this page online
Also see . . . California State Parks: Old Town San Diego. (Submitted on September 19, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)
Additional commentary.
1. Mason Street School
The school was built in 1865 and school was in session year-round and was free and open to all children. The building featured such modern amenities as an iron stove for heat and a water bucket and dipper for plumbing. Its first teacher, Mary Chase Walker, was paid $65 a month. She resigned after only 11 months and married Ephraim Morse who was the President of the school board at that time.
The one room Mason Street School was San Diego's first public school. San Diego Historical Days Association now operates the historical landmark, holding adult education classes on
Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 28, 2005
2. Mason Street School Marker
— Submitted September 19, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.
Photographed by Adam Margolis, March 21, 2021
3. Mason Street School Marker
Photographed by Craig Baker, March 9, 2026
4. Mason Street School
Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 28, 2005
5. Mason Street School
Photographed by Road Runner Card Co., San Diego, Ca
6. Postcard - Mason Street School
Built 1865, first in San Diego County, then 14,800 square miles in area. Soon outgrown, it was moved, became a residence and later, The Old Town Tamale Factory. Returned to original site, restored and maintained by San Diego County Historical Days Association. The Mason Street School hosts San Diego Unified School System Fourth Graders every school day, and conducts adult classes in California history.
Photographed by Craig Baker, March 9, 2026
7. Mason Street School Timeline
Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 28, 2005
8. Mason Street School Sign
Credits. This page was last revised on May 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 19, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 3,132 times since then and 40 times this year. Last updated on May 2, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1. submitted on March 31, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2. submitted on September 19, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 3. submitted on February 16, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 4. submitted on March 31, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 5. submitted on September 19, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 6. submitted on September 21, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 7. submitted on March 31, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 8. submitted on September 19, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.
