Mason Street School

Location: 3966 Mason Street
Old Town State Historic Park, Old Town San Diego, CA (map)
Phone: (619) 220-5422
More info: Website

Built in 1865, the Mason Street School was the first publicly owned school in San Diego County. The building was a one-room, wood-frame, shingle-roofed structure, 24 ft. x 30 ft. with a ten-foot high ceiling. A pot-bellied iron stove heated the room, and a water bucket and dipper provided the only indoor plumbing. All eight grades were taught in the single room.

In 1873, the school was moved to Taylor and Whitman Streets, and a two-story school was erected here. It was later razed; the original school was returned and reassembled on this site. The San Diego Historical Days Association operates the museum.