Start your tour in the 1888 Santa Fe Depot where you will find exhibits on the railroad and city development. Take time to view historic photographs and try your hand at the telegraph. A docent will take you to the railroad car.
Museum
Escondido History Center
Our Pullman Railroad car was a passenger / mail car. Today you'll find an H-O scale model train inside. Each tiny building in the layout was an actual building passengers might have seen on their 22 mile trip from Oceanside to Escondido.
Tuesday through Friday volunteers are usually working in the Bandy Blacksmith Shop. Unfortunately the original 1908 shop was torn down, but we have much of Bandy's original equipment in our recreated shop. In 2006 we added on a woodworking area. On most Saturdays, classes are in session with instructors in both blacksmithing and the wheelwright craft.
Step inside our 1890 Victorian Country Home to see what life was like in Escondido circa 1900. Antique decorations and clothing from our large textile collection are rotated seasonally. Annual exhibits include quilts and wedding dresses.
Barns were a familiar sight in early Escondido, which was a farming community. The 1901 Penny Barn is typically open only during special events. An agriculture exhibit highlighting Escondido's major crops (grapes, citrus, avocados), antique vehicles and an early 20th century popcorn wagon are on display.
The city's first library was built in 1895 on Grand Ave at Hickory. It was moved to the park in 1971 where it became the first component of the History Center. Today it houses the Center's office, research materials, photographs and exhibit space.
Other features:
outhouse, tankhouse, 2 windmills,10-ton Native American metate (grinding rock)
Established in 1976, the History Center includes buildings from Escondido's early development that were relocated to Grape Day
Park.
Tour the museum Tuesday - Saturday, between 1pm and 4pm.