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

A Presidio Soldier's Home

Casa de Machado y Stewart

Photographed by Craig Baker, March 9, 2026

1. A Presidio Soldier's Home Marker

Inscription.
Generations of Machado family members lived in this early adobe home, witnessing and participating in San Diego's change from a frontier Mexican pueblo to an American town.

Corporal José Manuel Machado, stationed at the nearby Presidio (fort), married María Serafina de La Luz. Like others, the family moved out about 1829 to erect a home of their own. Here and at their Baja California rancho they raised 11 children. Typical of many adobe structures, rooms were added over time to meet family needs.

Machado supported the community's trade-based economy with hides and tallow from the family's ranchos and served as a Regidor (councilman) of the ayuntamiento (city council).

In 1845, American ship's carpenter John Collins "Jack" Stewart (mentioned in Richard Henry Dana's Two Years Before the Mast) married Rosa, the Machado's daughter. He settled here and worked as a harbor pilot, rancher, and carpenter. Over the years, Stewart added several rooms to the home.

Machado-Stewart family descendants resided here until 1966. The following year, California State Parks restored

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it to reflect Corporal Machado's original two-room adobe home.

Erected by California State Parks.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1829.

Location. 32° 45.206′ N, 117° 11.86′ W. Marker is in San Diego, California, in San Diego County. It is in Old Town. It is on Congress Street. 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.

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: La Casa de Machado y Stewart (a few steps from this marker); Mason Street School (within shouting distance of this marker); First San Diego Courthouse (about 300 feet

A Presidio Soldier's Home and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker

2. A Presidio Soldier's Home and Marker

The marker is at far right.

away, measured in a direct line); La Casa de Rodriguez (about 300 feet away); Estudillo House (about 400 feet away); La Casa de Machado y Silvas (about 400 feet away); Casa de Pedrorena de Altamirano (about 400 feet away); La Casa de Estudillo (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Diego.

A Presidio Soldier's Home image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker

3. A Presidio Soldier's Home

Photographed by Craig Baker

4. A Presidio Soldier's Home

This is Casa de Machado y Stewart.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 20, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 22 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 20, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 4. submitted on January 22, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.