Built in 1857 for Thomas Whaley in Old Town San Diego, the Whaley House is a Greek Revival residence and the oldest brick structure in Southern California. Designed by Whaley with bricks from his own brickyard, it served not only as the family home but also as a general store, San Diego’s second county courthouse, and the city’s first commercial theater. Its courthouse role figured in the struggle between Old Town and New Town that ended in 1871 with the transfer of county records downtown. Later restored and opened as a museum, it remains significant for preserving intertwined stories of family life, commerce, law, entertainment, and local memory.

Photo: Wikipedia · Public domain

Photo: Wikipedia · Public domain

Photo: Wikipedia · Public domain