History inside Old Town’s San Diego Union Building.
There are many interesting houses and buildings within Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. One of the most fascinating is the San Diego Union Building. Take a step inside and you’ll see the carefully restored birthplace of a present-day major newspaper: the San Diego Union Tribune.
The framework of the building, erected around 1851, is believed to have been originally fabricated in Maine, then shipped to San Diego around Cape Horn. The San Diego Union was first published on October 10, 1868. The newspaper’s editor at that time was Edward “Ned” Wilkerson Bushyhead, a Cherokee Indian with a Scottish ancestor.
The newspaper began as a modest four page weekly, and was produced on a massive wrought iron Washington hand press. In the museum one can also see an authentic 1860’s recreation of the editor’s room, which contains a desk once owned by the son of Ulysses S. Grant!
UPDATE!
In August 2017, during Stagecoach Days in Old Town, I was able to actually enter the print shop and take better photos of the presses and other objects inside. (Usually visitors must peer or take photographs from a greater distance.)
…
To enjoy future posts, you can “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.
Downtown San Diego has been my home for many years. My online activities reflect my love for writing, blogging, walking and photography.
View all posts by Richard Schulte
7 thoughts on “History inside Old Town’s San Diego Union Building.”
Cool shots! I got to take a tour in 1977 of the newsroom downtown after I won a news writing contest in high school 🙂
Cool shots! I got to take a tour in 1977 of the newsroom downtown after I won a news writing contest in high school 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cool!
LikeLike
I visited San Diego for the first time last spring…it was also my first time in CA. Love this!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Richard, I just wanted to say that I like how you showcase your town. You’re a real ambassador.
Also, thanks for taking a look at the Hammer Home Street Photography Project a while back.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your kind comments!
LikeLike