Johnson House, Old Town San Diego

Johnson House is a building with a wooden porch and false front facade in Old Town San Diego that operated as a clothing and fashion store. The structure shows typical mid-1800s architecture with simple, practical features.

The building was constructed in 1870 as a prefabricated structure shipped to San Diego by George Alonzo Johnson, a steamboat captain. This construction method was unusual at the time and shows how people brought materials across the ocean.

The store displays clothing and accessories from the 1800s like shawls, ribbons, and hats that show how people dressed back then. Visitors can see what fashion and goods were important at that time and how such a shop operated.

The location sits on San Diego Avenue in the heart of Old Town and is easy to reach on foot when walking through the historic area. Visitors should know that opening hours vary depending on when they visit.

The house was built complete and shipped across the ocean, representing an early form of prefabrication before such methods became common. This approach was unusual for the time and makes the building an example of early innovative construction.

Location: San Diego

GPS coordinates: 32.75473,-117.19703

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:46