Historic General Store Gets a New Owner

Having been vacant for the last few years, the 1884 Historic Santa Ysabel General Store, Located at 30275 Highway 78, was purchased by SOHO for $295,000. The iconic building is the most important site left of what was the historic town site of Santa Ysabel, and the town retains much of its 19th century feel as it is still mostly buffered by open space will now be restored and used as a Nature Interpretive Center, Mercantile and Visitor Center.

SOHO purchased the store from the Tulloch family, a pioneer cattle ranching family who have for generations been caring for the land. They were eager to get the building into good hands and felt that SOHO, having demonstrated through the years how they can care for historic properties so that everyone can enjoy them, was a good fit for the property.

“The Santa Ysabel store is one of the rarest of building types in all of San Diego. As the only adobe false front store left in the County, it was a priority site for SOHO to acquire to assure its protection and preservation,” explains SOHO’s Executive Director Bruce Coons.

One of the first orders of business is to restore the façade, replace windows and doors that have been removed or changed, and painting the building which includes restoring its historic signage. SOHO is seeking donations to help restore the building and replenish funds.

Tags: Highway 78, Historic, Historic Santa Ysabel, Santa Ysabel, Santa Ysabel General Store, SOHO, Tulloch Family

Category: Local News