Estudillo Mansion
Jan 2, 2002, the City of San Jacinto announced the placement of the Estudillo Mansion and the Francisco Heritage Park on the National Register of Historic Places and on the California Register of Historic Resources. This is only the third Riverside County site to receive this honor.
The Estudillo Mansion in 1890
The mansion was built in 1884 by Francisco Estudillo, Jr. The mansion and a twin mansion built by his brother Antonio Estudillo, near Soboba Hot Springs are all that remain of a 35,000 acre Mexican land grant given to their father, Jose Antonio Estudillo in 1842.
Francisco Estudillo was San Jacinto's first postmaster and was also appointed Mission Indian Agent for the Federal Government, responsible for 32 reservations in southern and central California. He was elected to the local school board and in 1890 was elected San Jacinto's second mayor, serving until 1892. Many of the Estudillo family married into other early famous California people such as the Pico family. There are many descendants and two reunions have been held at the mansion.
After passing through many owners, the mansion was purchased by the County of Riverside in 1992. It had been severely damaged by the Landers-Big Bear earthquakes on June 28 of that year. The County turned ownership over to the City of San Jacinto in 1998.
The Estudillo Mansion today
It is the site of many city sponsored events, most notable the 4th of July celebration. The mansion itself is only opened at that event. The grounds are open Friday - Sunday 11 A.M. to 4 P.M. along with the San Jacinto City Museum, which is located on the grounds.
The Estudillo Restoration Assoc, an arm of the San Jacinto Museum Association, sponsors many fund raising events on the mansion grounds. This group meets the 3rd Saturday of every month at the Estudillo Mansion. If you are interested in learning more about this group, please visit the museum.