San Deigo Historic Site 72 CASA DE BANDINI

Standing on the corner of Mason and Calhoun Streets since about 1827, this building was erected by Don Jose Bandini and his son, Don Juan Bandini. Though Spanish, coming from Peru, the Bandinis originally were Italian. The family was of princely rank in the Roman Empire.

They lived up to the princely tradition in San Diego. The feast that followedthe blessing of the house in 1829, as described by Alfred Robinson in Lifein California, set a pattern for entertainments in ensuing years. Fandangos sometimes cost thousands of dollars, and lasted for days. Single dinners set Juan Bandini back as much as a thousand. He could afford it, for his ranches spread over Southern and Lower California. Don Juan was commended by early California writers for his beautiful dancing and lovely daughters.Historians remember him for the revolts he led against Northern Californian governors in Mexican times. He filled many political offices as a result of success in battle at disputed barricades along El Camino Real, and through affiliation with success.

He offered the house to Commodore Stockton as a headquarters during the Mexican War. Here, at a fandango, Stockton received the urgent message inDecember, 1846, of the catastrophe at San Pasqual from Alexis Godey, the famous scout. He delayed sending help to the beleaguered dragoons until Kit Carson, Lt. Edward Beale, and an Indian escaped through the lines to bring home to him the need for a force to rescue the decimated Army of the West.

In the 1860's Albert L. Seeley made the house the San Diego station for his stage lines to Los Angeles and the East. He added the second story and namedthe old mansion The Cosmopolitan Hotel.