Mason Street School, San Diego
Among the wonderful attractions to see at the Old Town State Historic Park, the first publicly built schoolhouse in the county, dating to 1865, is a rather modest structure, having just one room. Made of wood and with a roof of shingles, it measures 24 by 30 feet, and has a 10 feet high ceiling. Now imagine that grades one through eight (about 35 students) were all taught in this tiny space at the same time, and you'll agree that it was a "Little House on the Prairie" kind of school experience!
On going inside, you may see the wonderful potbelly stove that heated the entire building, as well as replicas of the wooden benches used by students before having personal seats and desks. Eventually, after seven years, the school was considered too small, and a larger, two-story one was built. The original one-room building was moved to a new location in the 1870s to serve first as a home and then as a tamale factory. In the 1940s it was about to be bulldozed to make way for a highway overpass when the Historical Days Association arranged to have it brought back to its original site and restored.
A free 'tour' of the whole place takes about 10 minutes, and you can stop by at the bookshop, too.
On going inside, you may see the wonderful potbelly stove that heated the entire building, as well as replicas of the wooden benches used by students before having personal seats and desks. Eventually, after seven years, the school was considered too small, and a larger, two-story one was built. The original one-room building was moved to a new location in the 1870s to serve first as a home and then as a tamale factory. In the 1940s it was about to be bulldozed to make way for a highway overpass when the Historical Days Association arranged to have it brought back to its original site and restored.
A free 'tour' of the whole place takes about 10 minutes, and you can stop by at the bookshop, too.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in San Diego. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The GPSmyCity App
Mason Street School on Map
Sight Name: Mason Street School
Sight Location: San Diego, USA (See walking tours in San Diego)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: San Diego, USA (See walking tours in San Diego)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in San Diego, California
Create Your Own Walk in San Diego
Creating your own self-guided walk in San Diego is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Balboa Park Walking Tour
Named after the Spanish explorer Vasco Núñez de Balboa, Balboa Park is one of the largest cultural parks in the United States. A renowned cultural and recreational hub, it offers a plethora of attractions and activities for visitors of all ages.
One of the prominent landmarks within the park is the California Building and Tower, which boasts stunning Spanish-Colonial Revival architecture.... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
One of the prominent landmarks within the park is the California Building and Tower, which boasts stunning Spanish-Colonial Revival architecture.... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Old Town Walking Tour
Old Town is the oldest settled area in San Diego which claims to be the first site visited by Europeans on the West Coast of modern United States.
The Native American culture in the area, however, goes back thousands of years. Historically, this land had been a home to the Kumeyaay people who settled on the banks of the San Diego river since around 1000 AD. The first European explorer to... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
The Native American culture in the area, however, goes back thousands of years. Historically, this land had been a home to the Kumeyaay people who settled on the banks of the San Diego river since around 1000 AD. The first European explorer to... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Embarcadero Marina Walking Tour
Adjacent to downtown San Diego and the picturesque San Diego Bay is a vibrant waterfront area. Embarcadero Marina, a testament to the region's colorful maritime heritage, houses several outstanding ship museums and is home to other notable sites. The abundance of shopping and dining options, complete with the pristine views of the city skyline, delight numerous locals and tourists and make... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Historic Gaslamp District Walking Tour
The Gaslamp Quarter is a lively 16½-block neighborhood in downtown San Diego, known for its nightlife, diverse entertainment and, just as importantly, historical appeal.
Back in the 1860s, the area was known as New Town, in contrast to Old Town, the original Spanish colonial settlement. After a period of decay, the neighborhood underwent redevelopment during the 1980s and 1990s, and was... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Back in the 1860s, the area was known as New Town, in contrast to Old Town, the original Spanish colonial settlement. After a period of decay, the neighborhood underwent redevelopment during the 1980s and 1990s, and was... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Souvenir Shopping Guide: 14 Gifts That Say San Diego
San Diego is known for its beautiful, temperate climate, but you can’t take the weather home with you. If you want a piece of San Diego as a souvenir, it’s best to shop with the natives. Whether it is made locally or just made famous locally, following are 14 perfect gifts that capture the...