During the Californian Mexican period (1821-1846 ) in the heart of the social and political center in San Diego, an important Casa would be built by a prominent Mexican family that remains today in Old Town , San Diego. On a parcel of land, then granted by the Governor in charge of the area, the restored home remains today that reflects both the architecture of that era, but also of life stylings of that time.
With a long history of ownership by the Estudillo family, from its initial construction by Jose Maria Estudillo and then enlarged by his Son, Jose Antonio Estudillo, the residence served as the main home Jose Antonio and his soon to be extended family. It was not unusual for newly married children to move in with their in-laws. It is believed that the enlarged home had 6 bedrooms, a chapel with a live in priest, a large grand living room, a dining room and a servants workroom.
The enlarged home after it was first completed was U shaped surrounding a large inner courtyard that was enclosed with an adobe wall. There was also an outer Courtyard where it was believed to house the Kitchen, a large oven called a horno, a garden and it was enclosed with a wooden corral.
Falling in disrepair after the Estudillo family descendants had migrated to Northern California in 1887, thehome was to be purchased by John Spreckles in 1906 and restored for a commercial use. He and his architect would redesign the property based one the novel written by Helen Hunt Jackson," Ramona". The Casa would now serve as " Ramona's Marriage Place".
Casa de Estudillo was later acquired by the California Park System back in 1968 and has been furnished in what would be representative of the time when the Estubillo family owned and lived in the house. Exact records of the home's interior were not kept, so this museum's furnishings are not exact and are said to be representative of the era. Casa de Estubillo is a part of the San Diego Old Town's past and remains a historic and entertaining part of the park today.
As a side note, the outer walls of this home are said to 3 to 5 feet thick and helped keep this home reasonabaly cool in the warmer months and warm in the winter months. When I visited the home a few weeks ago , the temperature outside was about 85 degrees and the temperature in the rooms was quite comfortable. This home is a wonderful example of the life and times of the early 1800's here in San Diego.
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