San Deigo Historic Site 63 OLD TOWN PLAZA

This square was the center of public life and recreation in Old San Diego from the earliest days. Promenading gave way, on some Sundays and feast days, to bull-and-bear fights, and bullfights in which there were no professionals -- anyone was welcome to join in for as long as he chose. On such occasions the dusty open space was enclosed by fences across the streets entering it. Games, ceremonies, and trials were held here, too.

On a pole in the plaza the American flag was first hoisted in Southern California to signify United States domination. It was on July 29, 1846; Lieutenant Stephan C. Rowan, of the U. S. Sloop-of-War Cyane, landed and occupied the town with bluejackets from the ship, and men of Fremont's California Battalion. San Diego had to be taken again in November. Then the Mexican flag was cut away from the pole and carried off by Senora Maria Antonio Machado de Silvas, who wanted to save it from disgrace, even, as she thought, at the risk of her life. There being no halliards with which to send up the American flag, Albert B. Smith climbed the pole and nailed it fast.

After the American conquest the plaza, renamed Washington Square, continued to be the center of San Diego life. To bullfights and Judas hangings were added noisy fourth of July celebrations, with oratory, band concerts, and cannon fire.

The place could be very full of racket on any Saturday night. A coroner's daughter recalled in later years that two or three fatalities over a weekend,from gunfights, were not unknown. In those days the town's best saloons and billiards parlors faced on the square.

From 1850 to 1876 the old cannon in the plaza, El Capitan, was set in the ground muzzle down, for use as a whipping post for Indians who misbehaved.