Casa de Estudillo

The Casa de Estudillo was built between 1827 and 1829 for the commander of the San Diego presidio. The home underwent restoration in 1910 and was donated to the State of California shortly after the improvements were completed. The building underwent restoration again in 1968. Furnishings for display in the home were donated by the National Society of Colonial Dames of America. The house is a one-story, adobe-syle building with a formal living space, a dining rooms, storage room, and chapel. Today, people can tour the fully-furnished U-shaped home that features a still-working kitchen and garden courtyard. The roof features a cupola from which residents would watch the goings-on in town. Some of the rooms are not accessible to tourists, but there is still a great deal to see when moving through the historic building. Many believe the house has an association with Helen Hunt Jackson's novel and still refer to it as Ramona's Marriage Place from the book "Ramona". Tourists can view the home for free, daily from 10 am until 5 pm. It has a distinctly Spanish feeling and is a popular destination for field trips and children's tour groups because it is one of the few remaining examples of genuine Spanish architecture in California.