1542, Discovery
Captain Juan Cabrillo claimed California for Spain. His discovery was boring in comparison with the riches of Mexico & therefore ignored.

1769-1780, Settlements
Five expeditions were mounted to colonize California. Gaspar de Portola and Father Junipero Serra founded San Diego with the first of 21 missions. During this period, the native Indians (called San Dieguenos, Tipai or Ipai) were to be Chrstianized and taught agricultural skills and trades to ready them foe pueblo status.

1781-1795, Uprisings
Fights cut the land route from Mexico to San Diego, leaving California colonies to fend for themselves. Monterey became the province's capital. Soldiers guarded the missions. Fighting with English, made Spain realize the defenseless condition of her California colonies. In 1795, hides became significant trading tool.

1821-1837, Villge to Pueblo
In 1821, Mexican won independence from Spain. San Diego was still small presidio and mission with vast land holding and approximately 450 Settlers. This began San Diego's petition for pueblo status to local rule.

1840-1845, Trade
Because of easily accessed harbor, many envisioned the wealth to be gained by making San Diego major trading board.

1846-1845, Transition
1848 saw the end of Mexican War and annexation of California to U.S. Old Town saw brief period of military occupation, the establishment of American government and delineation of the border between USA and Mexico.

1849-1868, Gold Rush
New social life blended from Spanish and American cultures. The richest Spaniards were known for their grand fiestas, but as Americans gained wealth, control and culture changed. Wooden houses and parades replaced adobe houses and bullfights. With thoughts of second transcontinental railroad, terminating in San Diego, land, not gold was the primary desire of new comers to Old Town and surrounding area.

1868-1870, New Town
Alonzo Horton's arrival, in 1867, and his plains for "new town" would greatly impact Old Town, which had no room to grow into a city as Horton saw it. This was the beginning of Gaslamp period and the building of harbors downtown.