miles over the La Playa Trail to the town. When California was admitted to the United States in 1850, San Diego (still largely limited to the Old Town area) was made the county seat of San Diego County, even though the town's population was only 650. The Old Town area remained the heart of the city of San Diego until the 1860s, when a newcomer to San Diego named Alonzo Horton began to promote development at the site of present-day Downtown San Diego. Residents and businesses quickly abandoned "Old Town" for Horton's "New Town" because of New Town's proximity to shipping. In 1871 government records were moved from Old Town to a new county courthouse in New Town, and Downtown permanently eclipsed Old Town as the focal point of San Diego. Old Town San Diego State Historic Park preserves and recreates Old Town as it existed during the Mexican and early American periods, from its settlement in 1821, through 1872 when it lost its dominant position to Downtown. The Old Town area is a popular tourist destination, known especially for its Mexican restaurants. The state park itself hosts several eating establishments, and other restaurants and gift shops are found in the surrounding neighborhood. Attractions Five original adobe buildings are part of the complex, which includes shops, restaurants and museums. Other historic buildings include a schoolhouse, a blacksmith shop, San Diego's first newspaper office, a cigar and pipe store, houses and gardens, and a stable with a carriage collection. There are also stores, with local artisans demonstrating their craft. The shops located in this area are festive and distinctive that capture the cultural history of San Diego. They have boutiques, antique stores, retro shops, outlet centers and local independently owned shops. A prime example is the Fiesta de Reyes shops and their variety of foods and celebration of Mexican culture, like the Day of the Dead. They also have diverse shops that highlight upcoming artists' work and their culture. There is no charge to enter the state park or any of its museums. The museums include: Casa de Estudillo, 1827 adobe house, a National Historic Landmark in its own right Casa de Machado y Silvas, 1840s adobe Casa de Machado y Stewart, a restored 19th century adobe Blackhawk Smithy & Stable, which features blacksmith demonstrations Colorado House, reconstructed 1850s hotel building that serves as the Wells Fargo History Museum(Now closed), featuring