On May 13th, 1846 the U.S. declared war on Mexico and in 1848 California became an Independent State. Two years later on September 9th, 1850 California was granted Statehood by the United States of America. The city of San Diego was incorporated and the population at this time was 650 people and Downtown San Diego was where Old Town is Today.
Rough start: San Diego got into financial trouble by overspending on a poorly designed jail (so that was in Old Town). In 1852, the state repealed the city charter,( only two years after incorporation) in effect declaring the city bankrupt, and installed a state-controlled three-member board of trustees to manage San Diego.
The trustees stayed in control until 1887, when a mayor–council form of government was installed under a new city charter. So in 1872 when Old Town burned and the city was moved to the water it was all under the control of the three member board of trustees until 1887. San Diego city leaders in 1868 set aside 1,400 acres for a park in the city. Known as ‘City Park’,(now known as Balboa Park), the land overlooked what is today Downtown San Diego. So the trustees were in charge when San Diego moved from Old Town to the water front and the creation of Balboa Park. something to think about.
