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

The Whaley House Courtroom

Whaley House Courtroom Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, March 9, 2026

1. Whaley House Courtroom Marker

Inscription.

The Whaley House Courtroom. . , Constructed and completed before the house, this brick courtroom was originally built to be a granary. Through the years, it has served as an Sunday school, a billiard hall, a ballroom, and from 1869 to 1871 it served as the County of San Diego's Courthouse. , , In 1869, political rivalry began brewing between officials of Old Town and New Town over who would hold the county seat. In the election of 1869, Republican representatives focused their winning campaign on the transfer of county records, offices, and commerce from Old Town to New Town. To accommodate this, founder of New San Diego Alonzo Horton offered to donate his buildings for court and record keeping purposes. Thomas Whaley then countered by offering to sell his building in Old Town, the Whaley House, to the county, but the board took no action. , , The intense political dispute between Old Town and New Town prompted threats of record seizure from Whaley's building. Outraged, the representatives of Old Town replied by installing a cannon and guards at the center of town and declaring that any attempt to remove the records would be resisted by firearms. On March 31 1871, in the middle of the night, a posse from New Town rolled up with two express wagons and forcibly removed the county records from Thomas Whaley's home. Following this. Thomas Whaley was notified that the county was no longer responsible for the rent after the building had been vacated. Indignant, Mr. Whaley attempted to refute this, pointing out that the lease had not yet expired, and demanded payment and repairs on the building. The board ignored Mr. Whaley, and the lease was indefinitely postponed. Such was the end of Old Town's role as the county seat of San Diego. Thomas Whaley and his business partner Phillip Crosthwaite eventually moved to New Town, hoping to prosper in this new city. , , March 31, 1871, with muffled horses' hooves and greased wagon wheels, a group of heavily armed men broke into the Whaley House courtroom doors and proceeded to the upstairs rooms where the courthouse records were being kept. Mrs. Whaley and the children were alone at the time of the seizure as Thomas was out of town for business. , The above photo shows a reenactment of the infamous event, performed in the 1960's.

Constructed and completed before the house, this brick courtroom was originally built to be a granary. Through the years, it has served as an Sunday school, a billiard hall, a ballroom, and from 1869 to 1871 it served as the County of San Diego's Courthouse.

In 1869, political rivalry began brewing between officials of Old Town and New Town over who would hold the county seat. In the election of 1869, Republican representatives focused their winning campaign on the transfer of county records, offices, and commerce from Old Town to New Town. To accommodate this, founder of New San Diego Alonzo Horton offered to donate his buildings for court and record keeping purposes. Thomas Whaley then countered by offering to sell his building in Old Town, the Whaley House, to the county, but the board took no action.

The intense political dispute between Old Town and New Town prompted threats of record seizure from Whaley's building. Outraged, the representatives of Old Town replied by installing a cannon and guards at the center of town and declaring that any attempt to remove the records would be resisted by firearms. On March 31 1871, in the middle of the night, a posse from New Town rolled up with two express wagons and forcibly removed the county records from Thomas Whaley's home. Following

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this. Thomas Whaley was notified that the county was no longer responsible for the rent after the building had been vacated. Indignant, Mr. Whaley attempted to refute this, pointing out that the lease had not yet expired, and demanded payment and repairs on the building. The board ignored Mr. Whaley, and the lease was indefinitely postponed. Such was the end of Old Town's role as the county seat of San Diego. Thomas Whaley and his business partner Phillip Crosthwaite eventually moved to New Town, hoping to prosper in this new city.

March 31, 1871, with muffled horses' hooves and greased wagon wheels, a group of heavily armed men broke into the Whaley House courtroom doors and proceeded to the upstairs rooms where the courthouse records were being kept. Mrs. Whaley and the children were alone at the time of the seizure as Thomas was out of town for business.
The above photo shows a reenactment of the infamous event, performed in the 1960's.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Law Enforcement. A significant historical year for this entry is 1871.

Location. 32° 45.175′ N, 117° 11.679′ W. Marker is in San Diego, California, in San Diego County. It is in Old Town. It can be reached from the intersection of San Diego Avenue and Harney Street. Located behind Whaley House.

Photographed by Craig Baker, March 9, 2026

2. Whaley House Courtroom Marker

Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2482 San Diego Ave, 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 Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Whaley House (a few steps from this marker); James "Yankee Jim" Robinson (a few steps from this marker); Derby Dike (a few steps from this marker); Lt. George H. Derby (within shouting distance of this marker); Derby-Pendleton House (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Town San Diego Timeline (within shouting distance of this marker); Verna House (within shouting distance of this marker); Adobe Construction (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Diego.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 31, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 31, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 13 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 31, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.