San Diego in San Diego County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
La Casa de Machado y Stewart
— California Historical Landmarks 71 & 73 —
Photographed By Craig Baker
1. Casa de Machado Marker
c.1835 • One-story adobe built by José Manuel Machado, a corporal at the presidio.
1845 • Jack Stewart, a carpenter by trade, married youngest daughter Rose and moved in with the family.
1911 • Home completely remodeled.
1932 • Listed as California Historical Landmark.
1945 • Sold by Machado family.
1968 • Rehabilitated by California State Parks.
Erected by California State Parks. (Marker Number 71.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1835.
Location. 32° 45.217′ N, 117° 11.866′ W. Marker is in San Diego, California, in San Diego County. Marker can be reached from Congress Street. Located on the grounds of the Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2707 Congress St, San Diego CA 92110, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Mason Street School (within shouting distance of this marker); First San Diego Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); La Casa de Rodriguez (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Estudillo House
this page online
More about this marker. This is the location of California Historical Landmark No. 71 - Casa de Machado, and California Historical Landmark No. 73 - Casa de Stewart.
Regarding La Casa de Machado y Stewart. Built circa 1835 by Juan Manuel Machado, a retired Presidio soldier who arrived in San Diego with the Leather Jacket Company in 1781, the simple adobe brick structure initially had only two rooms, a sala or living room and a bedroom. A covered veranda was incorporated at the south side of the structure. Framed with ridge poles fastened around overhead beams by rawhide strips, the roof was made of tule thatch packed with dried mud, and covered in terra cotta tiles.
After raising his large family here, Machado gave this home to his daughter Rosa, who married Jack Stewart. He was an American pilot boat operator from
Photographed By Craig Baker
2. Casa de Machado and Marker
The marker is on the ground, to the right of the door.
Jack and Rosa Machado y Stewart raised eleven children in this home and made many changes to the structure, adding rooms, installing mulit-pane windows, and whitewashing the walls. The last family member to reside in the ancestral home was Carmen Stewart Meza, who lived there for 50 years, until a flood forced her to leave in 1966. The house was acquired by California State Parks and restored to its earlier appearance in 1973.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 22, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 50 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 22, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
