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Taking Time to Smell the Hibiscus
Oh how wonderful to see hibiscus bushes growing everywhere. It is so difficult for me to keep the small house plant I have at home alive and healthy. So much to see, ... so little time!
Friday, April 24, finds us on our first foray “down the hill” into “Old Town” San Diego State Historic Park and sites along the Pacific coast.
The Kumeyaay Indians lived near the San Diego River for thousands of years before the mission and presidio were built in this town. In 1769 Spanish colonization began with construction of the royal Presidio and the first in a chain of 21 California missions. At first the natives were friendly with the settlers but this changed when their traditions and beliefs came into conflict with each other. Diseases, introduced by the settlers, decimated entire villages and the native culture nearly disappeared. Padres taught mission Indians to cultivate crops, make blankets and clothing, raise livestock, and trade for manufactured goods.
Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821 and took over military command in San Diego shortly afterward. “Old Town” was settled by pensioned Spanish soldiers and their families from the Presidio. By 1835 it had grown into a cluster of 40 adobe houses and garden plots, as well as various mercantiles, that formed a rough but orderly street pattern around an open
Period Dress of a Californio
The clothes on this maniquin reminded us of Zoro, very romantic and exciting. plaza. Sun dried adobe brick was the traditional building material, since wood was scarce. The ‘stars and stripes’ were first raised over the plaza in 1846 by Marines from the USS Cyane. The central plaza is today lined with many different buildings, some dating back to the 1820.
Mexican citizens born in California of Spanish-Indian ancestry called themselves Californios. Many of these Spanish-speaking settlers owned or worked on the great ranchos that dotted the landscape in the San Diego area. Their unique society was forged from the remnants of a Spanish heritage and the harsh realities of a frontier existence. Their traditions involved family, religion and hospitality that found expression in cooking, horsemanship, outdoor fiestas and Roman Catholic feast days. The Californio culture continues to flourish in San Diego. We learned a lot about the tapestry of California’s people in “Old Town.”
The adobe architecture is distinctive with its smooth surfaces and painted tile-work. One of the homes we toured, called “La Casa de Estudillo,” was actually a 170-year-old, U-shaped, adobe hacienda built by the Presidio Commandant in 1827. Today it is representative of how an important family in the mid-1800’s would have lived and worked.
Strolling Along the Plaza
We loved the long underwear on display at the front of this mercantile! There were various rooms that included a living room, dining room, study, kitchen, bedrooms, workrooms and a chapel. It was my favourite house in the entire Park because it was arranged so beautifully around a central garden with walls that enclosed the outer courtyard. I think I would have loved to have lived there.
Other buildings we toured included the first schoolhouse in San Diego built in 1865; the Wells Fargo Express Store; the Racine and Laramie Cigar Store, complete with wooden Indian; the Machado de Silvas, home of the Silvas family; the San Diego House, a store and bar owned by the first two African-Americans to start a business in the community, the Seeley Stables and the Cosmopolitan Hotel, which was the original mansion of Don Juan Bandini a Spanish gentleman and American patriot.
As we all wandered from building to building, Laurie, Joanna, Janice and I strolled into a candle shop. Suddenly we realized Nathanael was nowhere to be found. I called his name but there was no answer. We went outside and looked around. Thankfully, Nathanael and I have set up our special whistle signal for calling each other. I whistled as
Tile Work and Painted Adobe
Craftsmanship like this is what makes the area so unique. loudly and clearly as I could, several times in a row. In a matter of seconds, there was my little boy running towards me faster than I have ever seen him run before, his legs and arms were pumping like a demon was chasing him. I ran towards him, too, and we collided in the tightest hug you can imagine, both in tears. Nathanael was smart, though. When he realized we were separated, he went back to the last spot we had been together and just waited. He knew enough not to go off with anyone else or talk to strangers. You can be sure he was much subdued and stuck close after that!
After our tour of “Old Town,” we went to MacDonald’ for a quick lunch. Then we spent the afternoon at the tidal pools, the Point Loma Lighthouse and Cabrillo National Monument. But that can wait until our next blog. Bye for now, everyone.
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