San Diego Coffee and Tea House

San Diego House is located in Historical Old Town. We have a tremendous selection of fine coffees and teas. From Fancy Kona to Bubble Gum Tea, we can match any taste.

Thanks for stopping by our place on the web. We’d really love to pour you a cup and tell you about our rich history. Or if you like, pour yourself a cup and we’ll tell you a little now.

San Diego House was once owned and operated by Richard Freeman and Allen Light, a former slave.

Allen Light was born into slavery in Philadelphia, 1805. At the age of 22, he bought his freedom for $265 in New York. Today’s owners, Leroy Brown and his sons Jitu and Marco, wondered where a 22 year-old slave would get $265.

The master of the plantation that Mr. Light was born on was also his father. The master gave his son freedom. Mr. Light also obtained a unique freedom document that granted him liberty on land and by sea. Most freed slaves travelled only by land. His papers enabled him to board a ship in New York in 1827 with the intention of heading west. He had to sail around the Horn and it took him 8 years to get to California. On the trip he learned to hunt and

trap sea otters. He quickly discovered the value of the sea otter’s pelt and began to make a good living off of his profits.

When he finally reached California (then still a part of Mexico) the Mexican government only allowed its citizens to hunt and trap. When the Mexican government caught wind that a black man was hunting and trapping they sent out a patrol to stop Mr. Light. But everytime they sent out a patrol, they came up empty handed thanks in part to the local Indians who hid Mr. Light.

One day the patrol unit finally spotted Mr. Light and they gave chase. The pursuit forced Mr. Light to flee into a well known cave. The officers backed off. Mr. Light, upon entering the cave was greeted by a grizzly bear. The powerfully sharp claws of the grizzly bear ripped a chunk from Mr. Light’s forearm. The Mexican officers witnessing the attack presumed that was the end of the troublesome trapper. But, surprisingly, Mr. Light managed to claw his way out of the cave. The amazed officers agreed that they needed a strong man like Mr. Light on their team. The Mexican government awarded Mr. Light his citizenship and hired him as a sherriff in 1839.


	He served as a sherriff until 1845 when he decided to return to San Diego and purchase our location from a well known captain. Captain Fitch had owned and operated the location from 1841 to 1846. Mr. Light and his partner, Mr. Freeman, took over the business

from 1846 to 1851. Mr. Light left San Diego in 1850. He headed for a gold rush in Hubble County and was never heard of again.

Mr. Freeman, who also served as a law enforcement officer, was killed in the line of duty in 1851. He left a three year-old daughter behind who was raised by a Mexican family that moved in and took over the business.

In 1863 the family sold the location to a businessman who tore down the original building and built the American Hotel. When the State Park acquired the property in 1968 they razed the Hotel.

In 1974 workers were completing some refurbishing at the Old Commercial Restaurant when they found Mr. Light’s freedom documents under a windowsill. We have copies on display in our store.

The original building, where we are now located, was reconstructed in 1985.

We hope you’ll stop by.


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