Historical photos of Old Town at visitor center.

1955. Sixteen shade trees were planted at the Casa de Lopez, a San Diego landmark.

Did you know there’s a visitor information center in Old Town San Diego on the second floor of the La Paloma marketplace? In addition to useful tourist info, the center features a wall of interesting historical photographs.

Find the La Paloma marketplace near the intersection of Twiggs Street and San Diego Avenue. The building stands where Old Town Trolley Tours vehicles line up. Proceed through the front door, go up some stairs, and you’ve arrived at the Old Town San Diego Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center.

During my last visit, I gazed at the old photos, trying to imagine how early San Diego once appeared. As you can see, the small town was established in a scrubby place in the middle of nowhere.

The Whaley house, the oldest brick house in California. Built in 1854.
About 1935. Casa de Lopez, located at Twiggs and Jefferson Streets. In the early days, the San Diego River flowed at its back where the Santa Fe Railroad track are now.
Old Town…1898. From Fort Stockton, now the site of Presidio Park, looking south toward Point Loma.
About 1880. Old Town Estudillo House, Ramona’s Marriage Place original condition.

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Richard Schulte

Downtown San Diego has been my home for many years. My online activities reflect my love for writing, blogging, walking and photography.

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