San Diego County, California
History, Records, Facts and Genealogy

San Diego County is one of the original 27 counties, one of the two largest formed on February 18, 1850. It has gained no territory since then. Territory which at one time was in San Diego County is now in Imperial County, Inyo County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County. The County was named after San Diego Bay, which had been rechristened by Vizcaino in 1602, in honor of the Franciscan, San Diego de Alcala de Henares, whose name was borne by his flagship. The County Seat is San Diego . See also County History for more historical details.

Counties adjacent to San Diego County are Imperial County (east), Orange County (northwest), Riverside County (north).

San Diego County Cities Include Carlsbad, Chula Vista, Coronado, Del Mar, El Cajon, Encinitas, Escondido, Imperial Beach, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, National City, Oceanside, Poway, San Diego, San Marcos, Santee, Solana Beach, Vista. CDPs (A census-designated place (CDP) is a type of place or area identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes) Include Alpine, Bonita, Bonsall, Borrego Springs, Bostonia, Camp Pendleton North, Camp Pendleton South, Casa de Oro-Mount Helix, Crest, Fairbanks Ranch, Fallbrook, Granite Hills, Harbison Canyon, Hidden Meadows, Jamul, Julian, La Presa, Lake San Marcos, Lakeside, Pine Valley, Rainbow, Ramona, Rancho San Diego, Rancho Santa Fe, San Diego Country Estates, Spring Valley, Valley Center, Winter Gardens. Unincorporated Communities Include 4S Ranch, Boulevard, Campo, Descanso, Dulzura, Jacumba, Jesmond Dene, Lincoln Acres, Mount Laguna, Ocotillo Wells, Pala, Potrero, Tecate, Santa Ysabel

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Extended History

San Diego County Courthouse
Completed 1889

The 42 stained-glass windows from the clerestory of the 19th-century building, which was razed in 1959, are now displayed in county courthouses around San Diego, including 12 in the central atrium of the Hall of Justice. The elaborate windows depict the Great Seals of all the states then in the Union and were recovered from a rented storage area in 1978

An Illustrated History of Southern California - The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago - 1890

THE TERRITORY.

SOUTHERNMOST of the California counties is that of San Diego, lying between the 34th degree of north latitude and the line of the Mexican border. Eastward lies the Territory of Arizona, and on the west it is bounded by the beneficent Pacific Ocean and a small portion of Los Angeles County. Diagonally from northwest to southeast, it is traversed by the mountain ranges of San Bernardino, San Jacinto, and Chocolate. That section which is northwest of the San Jacinto range is known as the Colorado desert, being hot, arid, sterile. The rest of the country is of diversified topography; there are low mountain ranges, softly rolling land, and beautiful smiling valleys, where fruits and flowers reply like a benediction upon the head of labor, and whose climate is ethereal balm.

San Diego County is larger than either of the States of Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Delaware, Connecticut, New Jersey, or Maryland; and it is nearly as extensive as the combined territory of Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. Draining this wide territory of more than 9,580,000 acres, run to the western ocean, as determined by the general southwesterly slope toward the Pacific, the rivers Tia Juana, Sweetwater, San Diego, San Bernardino, San Luis Rey and Santa Margarita. Comprised within these limits are great diversities of climate; from the heights where winter's cold is piercing, to the equable, ever-springlike air of the bay and oceanside regions, and the sheltered warmth of the valleys. The pine from its mountain perch looks greeting to the palm of the seaboard. The hardy apple of the cooler uplands finds its way to where it lies against the tropical cheek of its not distant neighbor, the orange of the vales.

The mountains have long stood jealous guard over a wealth of mineral treasure, that they now begin to yield up to him who comes with the "Open, Sesame!" of Science. From the bowels of the earth have long poured thermal waters, that heal or soothe man's maladies. The sea gives stores, and the earth, and the sun, and the breezes nurture. And men, if their hearts be open, realize that here indeed are signs that God made man in his own image, and that he cares for and watches over him, and holds him "as in the hollow of his hand." To recite, briefly, unworthily, and incompletely, how man came into his own and won this rich heritage, is the province of the present writer.

EARLY EXPLORATIONS.

Of all the territory comprised in the limits of the present great State of California, the part now known as San Diego County is that first seen by the early Spanish explorers. First among these came Francisco de Ulloa, who in 1539 sailed up the California gulf to the mouth of the Colorado river.

In 1538 General Francisco Vasquez de Coronado was appointed Governor of Nueva Galicia. He was of a progressive bent, and for some time he left his province in charge of a lieutenant, or acting-governor, while he devoted himself to exploration. Tired by the apocryphal tales of Fray Marcos de Niza, he raised a small army that in 1540 set out northward for the conquest of Cibola and its seven marvelous cities. His expedition was successful insomuch as that he reached the great cities of the Indians, however disappointing may have been the conditions he found there. The history of the enterprise is of interest in the present volume only because in connection with it was sent out, in May, 1540, Hernando de Alarcon, with two vessels, to co-operate with the army. Alarcon ascended the Colorado, apparently about to the mouth of the Gila, and found, it is claimed, several harbors not discovered by Ulloa. He found that the natives were ignorant of most of the names quoted by Niza as characteristic of that region, this prompting the suspicion that the good friar had drawn largely on his imagination for his account. The people told Alarcon also many marvelous tales of things to be seen inland. The river was by these explorers christened the Buen Guia (Good Guide).

Two years later, June, 1542, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, a Portuguese in the service of Spain, and a navigator of some repute, sailed from Natividad with two vessels of Alvarado's former fleet, and acting under vice-regal instructions took his frail craft northward along the Pacific coast. On September 28, 1542, he discovered " a landlocked and very good harbor," which he named San Miguel, and which has since come to be called San Diego. Be recorded the latitude as 34° 20' north, an error of 1° 37' 2", due, no doubt, to the imperfection of his instruments. Cabrillo paid the first tribute to the excellence of San Diego's harbor, by recording that on the day after his arrival he sent a boat " farther into the port, which was large," and while it was anchored, " a very great gale blew from the southwest; but, the port being good, they felt nothing." Cabrillo remained at the good port six days. It seems that the Indians hereabouts, though shy, were savage and bloodthirsty, as they attacked and slightly wounded several of the Spaniards out fishing. After a time, they ventured to approach the strangers, and by signs told of men in the interior who wore beards, rode horses, and carried fire-arms. This was probably in reference to the party by sea of Ulloa, or that of Alarcon, or the land expedition of Coronado. Cabrillo spent a month in explorations of the coast and islands, up to Point Concepcion, making observations as to the latitude of various points, and taking notes of the characteristics of the country and its inhabitants. In November, he returned to the Santa Barbara channel islands, and here he died, from the effects of a broken arm, aggravated by exposure incurred on the voyage.

Up to the year 1597 there are accounts of voyages to Upper California, claimed to have been made by Lorenzo Maldonado and Juan de Fuca; but these narratives bear internal evidence of being, at least in detail, pure fabrications.

In 1594, Viceroy Velasco contracted with Sebastian Vizcaino to re-explore and occupy for the Spanish crown the Islas Californias (Californian Isles); and in 1597, Vizcaino accordingly sailed from Acapulco. He failed in his attempt to colonize the peninsula. Nevertheless, he was assigned as commander of another expedition which sailed from Acapulco May 5, 1602. Such explorations as they made along the peninsula coast brought them to San Miguel, which he renamed San Diego, on November 10; they left again on November 20, several men having died and several being disabled from the ravages of scurvy. They proceeded on northward and beyond Cape Mendocino, the two vessels locating a Cape Blanco, in latitude 42° one, and 43° the other. They reached Acapulco again on March 21 of the following year, having lost on the voyage forty-eight men by death.

THE NAME SAN DIEGO.

It is perhaps proper and reasonable to explain, in this connection, the origin of the name San Diego. Many have supposed that from the name of the first mission came that of the bay, the port, the city, the county. This belief is erroneous; for, whereas the mission was not founded or named until 1769, the bay was thus called, as has been said already, 167 years earlier, namely, in 1602, for the following reason: Vizcaino, when he arrived, proceeding to survey the bay, either began or finished that enterprise on November 12, the day assigned in the calendar of the Roman Catholic Church to the saint called in Spanish San Diego de Alcala, in honor of whom the bay was re-named accordingly. The English meaning of this is simply " St. James." The Spanish for James is either Iago, Jag, or Diego, the prefix Santo or San signifying Saint or Holy. The contraction Santiago is now given, indifferently with Diego, as a baptismal name, although the two are by no means interchangeable. A boy or man called Santiago is named for one particular St. James, and he who responds to Diego is called for another light of the old church—namely, San Diego de Alcala, the patron saint of the city and section in question.

In 1605, Governor Juan de Onate brought a party of soldiers down the Colorado, from the Gravel cañon, as far as the head of the gulf, having come from Chihuahua up the Rio Grande, into the New Mexico, and across the Northern Arizona, of the present day. Like his predecessors, he saw only the desert side of San Diego, and the natives along the river, whose accounts seemed to support the theory that the gulf was connected by a strait with the Pacific.

ORGANIZATION OF THE PUEBLO.

Civil government, as distinct from military rule, began when the pueblo of San Diego was organized on January 1, 1835, installing the officers elected by the people on December 21, 1834. The following is a list of the officers of this the first ayuntamiento, or town council: Alcalde, Juan Maria Osuna; First Regidor, Juan Bautista Alvarado; second regidor, Juan Maria Marron; sindic, Henry D. Fitch. At this the first municipal election in San Diego, the whole number of votes cast was thirteen. Don Pio Pico, afterwards Governor of California, under Mexican rule, was the opposing candidate for alcalde.

It was not till ten years later that the town lands were surveyed and mapped by Captain Fitch, and the Mexican government then granted to the municipality a tract that comprised 47,000 acres. When California became subject to the United States government (July 7, 1846), the pueblo organization was continued and the city's title to the pueblo lands was guaranteed by the treaty of 1848 with Mexico, and the United States Board of Land Commissioners confirmed it in 1853.

In 1836 San Diego was visited by the ship Alert, on board of which came Richard Henry Dana, then a youthful collegian, whose " Two Years Before the Mast," not only graphic and picturesque, but also accurate within its limitations, is very deservedly still a standard authority on the conditions in California in those days. This epoch witnessed many local ebullitions in the caldron of local politics in California due partly to sectional, and partly to personal, jealousies, and San Diego was very far from being the point of least agitation, but finally fell into line under Carrillo, and shared in the uproar of his incumbency.

By 1839 the presidial establishment was utterly disorganized, one man constituting the military force in that year at San Diego; and eight that at San Luis. These, however, in September left the service, to save themselves from starving. The presidio buildings, abandoned during the decade, were in ruins before 1840, much of their material probably having been employed in the little town, of thirty or forty houses. In January, 1840, the remains at the fort were sold for $40; a part of the guns appear to have been removed at this time. There are no statistics for this decade as to population, but it diminished greatly, and probably numbered not over 150 in 1840. In this year there were ten foreigners (i. e. not native nor Mexican), three of whom had families. As to the native population there are no statistics after secularization, but it would seem to have dropped from 5,200 in 1830 to 2,250 in 1840. A number of private citizens at this time occupied ranchos, most of which were at some time abandoned because of raids by Indians. The townspeople were still pasturing their stock and raising crops, as before, on lands considered as community property, mostly in the Soledad valley. There was no right in the land claimed, but by usage the tiller of a certain piece in one year was regarded as having the first choice of it the following season. The town lots were assigned at first by the Commandant; and it is said that the first written title from the alcalde was issued in 1838.

There were still some 800 neophytes nominally under control of the priests at Mission San Diego, though but fifty were at the mission proper. The population at Mission San Luis Rey had gained somewhat during the earlier lustrum of this decade or prior to secularization in 1834. In 1840 there were some 1,000 ex-neophytes at the mission and local pueblos and ranchos.

An ex-neophyte pueblo, Las Flores, was formed here in 1833, with a small population. After secularization the Indians were able to retain partial control of the rich mission ranchos, Santa Margarita, Pala, Santa Ysabel, Temecula and San Jacinto, but only till the end of the decade.

In 1841, the first Bishop of California, Fr. Francisco Garcia Diego, arrived at San Diego, which had been appointed as his residence, though he presently removed to Santa Barbara.

In 1846 Colonel J. J. Warner obtained from the Mexican government a valuable grant of land adjoining the San Luis Rey Mission, and skirting the old through wagon road to Yuma from San Diego. The tract contained six square leagues, or 36,000 acres.

In December, 1846, the Pauma Indians massacred, for some cause which has not been satisfactorily explained, some eleven or twelve Californians, in consequence of which a campaign was instituted against the Indians the next month.

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

When war broke out in 1846 between the United States and Mexico, many of those Mexicans who were natives of California espoused with the utmost enthusiasm and ardor the cause of their countrymen. On the other hand, there was a very respectable contingent who sided with the Americans, and rendered them every possible assistance. Among these were not a few of San Diego's best-known and most prominent native families, including such people as the Bandinis and Arguellos. Many of their compatriots made cause of reproach and accusation of disloyalty in this partizanship with the Americans. But the reasons these citizens had for accepting the situation, and urging others to do, were certainly logical enough. Their arguments rested on the long neglect that Mexico had displayed toward California, and the consequent obscurity and misfortune of that province; on the separation from Mexico, which was inevitable and a question of time only; on the impossibility of resisting the American forces; and the necessity of self-preservation; and on the prosperity which California was sure to enjoy in the future, under a government so strong, so liberal, and so fraternal as as that the United States.

On July 29, 1846, John C. Fremont reached San Diego with his battalion in the Cyane, took possession, and raised the American flag without known opposition; and after a week spent in procuring horses, which were very scarce, he marched northward with the rest of the battalion, some 120 strong, on August 8. According to some, he left a garrison of forty men at San Diego, while others aver that not until the middle of September had the place a guard, which was then composed of a dozen men under Ezekiel Merritt.

When Stockton, who had been operating from Los Angeles, sailed again for the north from San Pedro, early in September, 1846, he left a garrison under Lieutenant A. H. Gillespie, as commandant of the southern department, instructing him to maintain martial law, and enforce the observation of Stockton's proclamation of August 17. This proclamation merely announced that the country now belonged to the United States, and that as soon as practicable it would be governed in the same manner as the other territories of that nation. Meanwhile the government would be by miliary law, the people, however, being invited to choose their local civil officers if the then incumbents declined to continue in service. Proper provision was therein made, moreover, for the protection of life and property, and for the punishment of evil-doers. With Gillespie was left a garrison of fifty men at Los Angeles. It appears that no garrison was left at San Diego, but a few men were sent down thither later on, and various citizens accepted office under the new regime. Pedro C. Carrillo was among these, he accepting Stockton's appointment as Collector of Customs. Miguel de Pedrorena accepted, as a temporary arrangement, the office of justice of the peace.

When Gillespie was left by Commodore Stockton as military commandant of the southern department, with headquarters at Los Angeles, he was under instructions to maintain military rule with as much leniency and as little friction as possible, being authorized to grant at discretion exemption from burdensome restrictions in the cases of orderly and well-disposed citizens. This was not a man qualified by nature and training to treat with the elements at hand. The Los Angeles people were quiet enough, with no disposition to revolt against the new administration. But there was in the town, on the other hand, an element of the population, both foreign and native Mexican, of lawless and turbulent instincts and antecedents. The new commandant not only had not the force needful for the controlling and subduing of this class, but he was also lacking in the tact and perception necessary to distinguish between these people and the native Mexican families of the better class, who were of a vastly different order. Because the Mexicans, all unarmed and unprepared as they were for a military contest, had had the prudence to yield a quiet submission to disciplined and superior forces, the new local rulers, principal and subordinates, deemed them of an inferior race and cowardly, and were inclined to treat them with as much arbitrariness as they would have shown in dealing with barbarians or children. From the first Gillespie directed the enforcing of regulations and measures needlessly and foolishly oppressive, interfering in the most petty and individual matters, displaying absurd suspicions, and by his objectionable personal bearing and manners offending the people of a race notable for its suavity of manner, its forms of courtesy, and its strict observance of all the conventionalities. Thus it was that within a brief period he had angered and estranged many good citizens, content enough with the change of government, who under tactful and judicious treatment would have become fully Americanized in due time. The people became excited and made demonstrations which Gillespie was only too ready to give an exaggerated importance, and punish accordingly. Then certain Mexicans with ambitions of leadership made this their opportunity, and other parties of outlaw antecedents joined their efforts to the general uprising. At last the garrison, weakened by the absence of the detachment sent to San Diego, was attacked by a small force, on September 23, and although the assailants were repulsed, they very soon increased their forces, which were duly divided into bands, under regular leadership. Captain Jose Maria Flores was chosen to act as general commander, Jose Antonio Pico was second in command, with rank of major-general, and Captain Andres Pico, as chief of squadron, held the third place. The new organization went into camp, and in its turn issued a proclamation reciting the wrongs that had been suffered, and avowing intention to avenge them. A messenger was promptly despatched to carry the news of the situation to Monterey and San Francisco, but before the result of his journey could be known, Gillespie had submitted to abandon the field, and embarked with his people on the Vandalia.

The account of this revolt is here pertinent, as leading up to the subsequent movements at San Diego, whither, it will be remembered, Gillespie had sent, at the request of Henry D. Fitch, a dozen men under Ezequiel Merritt. Immediately after the retreat of Gillespie from Los Angeles, Francisco Rico marched toward San Diego with fifty men. On his approach, Bidwell left San Luis Rey and joined forces with Merritt. Then they all, together with a few Mexican citizens, very hastily embarked on the Stonington, a whaler that was at anchor in the harbor. They took with them some cannon which had been dug up at the old fort, and there the valiant invaders remained for some twenty days, under the dreadful menace of a few Californian horsemen, who now and then appeared on the hills in hostile demonstration, Rico having been recalled while on the way thither. Bidwell, in a boat with four men, went up to San Pedro for supplies, the trip being long and perilous. The word he carried caused reinforcements to be sent to San Diego, which was accordingly then reoccupied by the Americans. The California Mexicans opposed to them pursued here, as elsewhere, the tactics of their almost unweaponed and ammunition-less condition, namely, driving off live-stock, cutting off supplies, and otherwise harassing the foe, besides reporting to the center of operations their movements and stimulating the patriotism of the other sons of the country.

On October 8 took place the action at the Dominguez Rancho, the details of which are not entirely germane to the present work.

Stockton left Monterey on October 19, and on the 23d he arrived at San Pedro, and early in November he went down to San Diego with the Congress, finding the town in a state of siege, and the inhabitants, women and children, in lamentable straits. He remained about a month, recruiting, gathering horses, and strengthening the defenses. The men had all left the town, and the non-combatants were thrown upon the Americans for food and protection. No beef could be had, nor horses for the transportation of the guns and ammunition, and the Californians were masters of the surrounding section. A portion of Stockton's report ran as follows: "On the afternoon of our arrival, the enemy, irritated I suppose by the loss of his animals, came down in considerable force, and made an attack; they were, however, soon driven back with the loss of two men and horses killed and four wounded. These skirmishes or running fights are of almost daily occurrence; since we have been here (up to November 23) we have lost as yet but one man killed and one wounded." While thus engaged, an Indian was sent to ascertain the camping place of the main body of the insurgents; and he brought back the news that a force of some fifty strong was encamped at San Bernardo, about thirty miles from San Diego. On December 3, a messenger brought news of the approach of a body of soldiery under General Kearny, who desired Stockton to open communications with him, and inform him of the conditions in California. Captain Gillespie accordingly left San Diego that evening with a force he had in readiness, and taking with him a deserter from the Californians, who was to guide General Kearny to the camp of the insurgents.

On November 22, Captain Andres Pico had been sent southward to cut off the retreat of a party of Americans reported to have started toward Santa Ysabel from San Diego; but the Americans had returned before his arrival. He still remained in the south, making his headquarters at San Luis Rey and Santa Margarita, and co-operated with Captain Cota, in keeping supplies from reaching the enemy, while awaiting the approach of stores with the main force to resist Stockton's expected advance. His force numbered not more, but probably less, than eighty. Nothing is known in detail of his movements until December 5, when he was encamped at the Indian pueblo of San Pascual, with the purpose to cut off the retreat of Gillespie, who they knew had left San Diego two days previous. Pico had no idea of meeting any Americans except those with Gillespie, whom he supposed to have gone out to procure cattle and horses. Before night on the 5th, the Indians brought in reports that a large force was approaching not far away; but little heed was taken of these tidings, which did not seem to tally with the facts known to Pico. After a night in which several alarms were experienced, at early dawn was announced the near approach of the Americans, and the Californians were barely mounted when the enemy was riding down the hill, charging at full speed upon them.

Kearny's command broke camp at Santa Maria at two o'clock on the morning of the 6th, and marched nine miles before daybreak. Kearny's men numbered 160, and their order of march was as follows: First rode an advanced guard of twelve dragoons, mounted on the best horses, and commanded by Captain Johnston; close behind followed General Kearny with Lieutenants Emory and Warner of the engineers, with four or five of their men; then Captain Moore and Lieutenant Hammond with about fifty dragoons, mostly mounted on mules; these were succeeded by Captains Gillespie and Gibson with twenty volunteers of the California battalion; next followed Lieutenant Davidson in charge of the two howitzers, drawn by mules, and with him a few dragoons to manage the guns; last of all came fifty to sixty men under Major Swords, protecting the baggage, and in turn protect by the field-piece brought by Gillespie. They were all badly demoralized by the fatigues of a long journey, and the long night's cold and rain. As they came in sight of the enemy's camp at the Indian village, in the cold gray light of early morning, they awakened, however, to something like animation, when the General ordered a charge, and Captain Johnston with his men dashed down the hill at a gallop. The Californians stood firm, and discharged the very few firearms in their possession, and then received the charging dragoons upon their lances. Captain Johnston fell lifeless, with a musket-ball in his head, and a dragoon fell also, badly wounded. Then there was a hand to hand fight, a scene of great confusion, from which the Americans presently fell back just far enough to meet Kearny's main force; at sight of which Pico's men in their turn fled, pursued by the gallant Captain Moore, with all that were at hand of his own force and Gillespie's, many of the men being kept back by the condition of their animals. It is difficult to say what were Don Andres Pico's motives and tactics; but, after running about a half mile, he suddenly wheeled his column and rushed back to meet the pursuers. Skillful horsemen were his men, and very expert lancers; and, whatever the result, it is much to say for the valor of the Americans that they stood their ground against such fearful and unfamiliar warfare. For not over ten minutes the combat raged most fiercely; then, as the howitzers were brought up, the Californians made off again. After them plunged, mad with fright, the mules drawing one of the cannon, so that Pico's men captured the gun, and killed the gunner. So ended the battle of San Pascual, which it has seemed well to record thus somewhat at length, since it was the most famous, the most important, and the most deadly that has occurred in the history of California.

The following is the account of the engagement, as related by Major W. H. Emory: "When within a mile of the enemy, whose force was unknown," be says, "his fires shone brightly. The General (Kearny) and his party were in advance, preceded only by the advance guard of twelve men under Captain Johnston. He ordered a trot, then a charge, and soon we found ourselves engaged in a hand-to-hand conflict with a largely superior force. As day dawned the smoke cleared away, and we commenced collecting our dead and wounded. We found eighteen of our officers and men were killed on the field, and thirteen wounded, one of whom (Sergeant Cox) died three days later. Among the killed were Captains Moore and Johnston, and Lieutenant Hammond, of the First Dragoons. The General, Captain Gibson, Lieutenant Warner and Mr. Robideau were badly wounded. A large body of horsemen were seen in our rear, and fears were entertained lest Major Swords and the baggage should fall into their hands. The General directed me to take a party of men and go back for Major Swords and his party. We met at the foot of the first hill. Returning, I scoured the village to look for the dead and wounded. The first object that met my eye was the manly figure of Captain Johnston. He was perfectly lifeless, a ball having passed through the center of his head. Captain Johnston and one dragoon were the only persons either killed or wounded on our side by fire-arms. (The others had been lanced and cut.) When night closed in, the bodies of the dead were buried under a willow to the east of our camp, with no other accompaniment than the howling of myriads of wolves. Thus were put to rest together and forever a band of brave and heroic men. The long march of 2,000 miles had brought our little band to know each other well. Community of hardships, danger and privations had produced relations of mutual regard, which caused their loss to sink deeply into our memories."

The relative mortality of officers here was notably great. Johnston fell, as has been seen, the first victim, shot in the first charge. Moore fell early in the second charge, after a desperate resistance, with a lance thrust through his body. It is said that it was in trying to save Moore that Hammond received the wound which caused his death in a few hours. Gillespie, for all his skillful swordsmanship and his brave fighting, was unhorsed and left for dead, with three lance wounds in his body. Lieutenant Warner received three wounds also; Lieutenant Gibson was slightly wounded, and Robideau, the guide, more seriously. General Kearny had two wounds. As to the losses of the native forces, there is no little conflict of testimony. Pico, when the surgeon of the Americans offered to attend his wounded, answered that he had none. There was one made prisoner by the Americans, who declared that one of his countrymen had been killed, and twelve wounded, one of them fatally. The Americans camped on the field, burying the dead and caring for the wounded.

Kearny's army was still considerably harassed by the Californians on the way to San Diego, where they were hospitably received late on December 12, and where they remained until December 29, when the American force, in all 600 strong, marched under command of Kearny for Los Angeles.

California's share in the war with Mexico ended in January, 1847.

ANNALS, 1846— 1889.

When international matters settled into tranquility, there were still items of excitement for the drowsy little pueblo. In the early part of 1847 the Indian campaign was on; then the town was garrisoned by the Americans, who supplied new social elements. January 29, 1847, the famous Mormon Battalion" arrived at San Diego, leaving again February 1. By August 2 the re-enlisted corps returned here, where they seem to have ingratiated themselves with the community, probably by their labors as mechanics.

PROGRESS OF SAN DIEGO.

Shortly after the close of the war with Mexico, Major (afterward General) W. H. Emory, who had reached San Diego December 12, 1846, recorded his impressions as follows: "The town consists of a few adobe houses, two or three of which only have plank floors. It is situated at the foot of a high hill, on a sand flat two miles wide, reaching from the head of San Diego Bay to False Bay. A high promontory, of nearly the same width, runs into the sea four or five miles, and is connected by the flat with the main land. The road to the hide houses leads on the east side of this promontory, and abreast of them the frigate Congress and the sloop Portsmouth are at anchor." Again Major Emory says: "San Diego is, all things considered, perhaps one of the best harbors on the coast from Callao to Puget Sound, with a single exception, that of San Francisco. In the opinion of some intelligent navy officers it is preferable even to this. The harbor of San Francisco has more water, but that of San Diego has a more uniform climate, better anchorage, and perfect security from winds in any direction."

Even at that early day this gentleman saw, and he was the first person to speak of. the importance of this harbor as a terminus of a transcontinental railway from the Mississippi, by way of the Gila river.

In 1849 San Diego, with the rest of California, thrilled to the excitement of the gold discoveries, and not a few of the leading citizens of to-day were attracted to California at that period.

On March 18, 1850, Alcalde Sutherland granted to William Heath Davis, José A. Aguirre, Andrew B. Grey, Miguel de Pedrorena, Thomas D. Johns and William C. Ferrell, "for a new port," the tract known as New San Diego, which comprised 160 acres, and for which the grantees paid $2,304. It was stipulated that a new wharf should be built there within eighteen months, and William Heath Davis, by August, 1851, had completed a fine, substantial one, 1,300 feet long. It was used by the Government for several years. An attempt was made at once to colonize the new site. The first building put up there was erected by William Heath Davis, for a private residence, It was still standing in December, 1887, being known as the San Diego Hotel. Several others of the first houses built are still standing. About the same time the barracks were built for a depot of military supplies, the troops being quartered at the old mission.

Under the Mexican administration, California had been politically divided into districts, each of which was under the local jurisdiction of a prefect, a sub-prefect, and a judge of first instance. Under the State constitution, adopted after California became a possession of the United States, provision was made for the continuance of these existing conditions "until the entering into office of the new officers to be appointed under this constitution." On February 18, 1850, an act was passed dividing the State into twenty-eight counties, of which San Diego was the first created.

On March 2, 1850, was passed an act providing for the holding of the first county elections, and making it the duty of each prefect in the State to designate immediately a suitable number of election precincts in each county of his district, and to give notice of the same, and of the election to be held. Accordingly Don Jose Antonio Estudillo, the then prefect of San Diego, divided the new county into election precincts, and, there being no newspaper printed there at the time, posted notices that an election would be held on April 1, 1850. A copy of the poll-lists and original returns of the two precincts of San Diego bear the names of many men of note, including that of General Samuel P. Heintzelman, whose services during the civil war were conspicuous. The following is a list of the county officials then chosen: District Attorney, William C. Ferrell; County Judge, John Hays; County Clerk, Richard Rust; County Attorney, Thomas W. Sutherland; County Surveyor, Henry Clayton; Sheriff, Agostin Harazthy; Recorder, Henry C. Matsell; Assessor, Jose Antonio Estudillo; Coroner, John Brown; Treasurer, Juan Bandini. The first county assessment roll shows the value of taxable property in 1850 as follows: Ranch lands, $255,281; ten stores with capital of $65,395; six vineyards, whose value was not stated; eighty-eight houses, worth $104,302; 6,789 head of cattle, worth $92,280; total, $517,258. The assessment roll for the city of San Diego for 1850 gave values as follows: Old Town, $264,210; New Town, $80,050; Middle Town, $30,000; total value, $375,160. The aggregate population of San Diego County in 1850 was 798, as given in the seventh United States census. The population of the city in that year was estimated at 650.

The year 1851 was remarkable in San Diego as inaugurating journalism there, since on May29, 1851, J. Judson Ames established the Herald, at first a very small sheet, which however grew yearly. Lieutenant Derby's connection with this sheet, and the humor of his administration, are widely known, and the contributions he then supplied to the Herald were afterwards collected and published in the form of a book called " Phoenixiana,"—from his pen name, "Phoenix,"—which is to this day very popular.

In 1851 that favorite pioneer, Colonel J. J. Warner, who had removed his family some years previously to his valuable estate, ever since known as "Warner's ranch," was warned that an attack upon his place was impending from the Calmilla tribe of Indians, several hundred of whom lived in villages near by. While he discredited the reports, he took the precaution to send his family under safe escort to San Diego. Early on the second morning after their departure he was awakened by the cries of the Indians, who had surrounded the house. As was customary at the Mexican ranchos, there stood here several horses, saddled and ready for instant mounting, and loaded weapons were also at hand in profusion. Colonel Warner hastened to the rear house-door to look for the horses, and was greeted by a shower of arrows from some 200 Indians there assembled; all of his horses were gone save one, and that was just being untethered by an Indian. A moment later, and a shot from the splendid marksman effectually put a stop to the marauder's movements, and two of his comrades who renewed the attempt to take away the horse fell likewise. These three fatal shots threw the Indians into a panic. During their temporary retreat to the shelter of some outbuildings, Colonel Warner decided to try to escape. His Mexican servant was already killed, but there was in the house a mulatto boy, the servant of an army officer at San Diego. This boy, who was a helpless cripple from rheumatism, had been sent to the rancho to benefit by the water of the neighboring hot springs, whose curative properties were already noted. Resolved to save the lad entrusted to his care, Colonel Warner placed the boy upon the single horse, hung thereon his pistols and two rifles, and mounted in front of the boy. He was away before the Indians could interfere with him, and so dashed on till he reached a village of friendly Indians, where his herdsmen were quartered. Thence he sent the boy on with an escort. of the loyal Indians, and when the herdsmen had gathered in the stock, the master took a number of his own people and rode back to the rancho, where the Calmillas were improving the opportunity by appropriating the stock of merchandise, worth some $6,000.

At this time, most of the large ranchos carried a very considerable stock of general merchandise, for purposes of trade with its employes and dependents, with neighbors and travelers; and these effects at "Warner's" the Cahuillas were plundering. To Colonel Warner's small escort they opposed a show of great hostility, and the men fled without capitulation. Being left single-handed Colonel Warner was under the necessity of abandoning the field, and he accordingly rode away to San Diego. A considerable military escort under Major, afterward General, Heintzelman, attended the family on their return to the rancho, which was their home for thirteen years, until 1857.

As far back as 1854, a transcontinental railroad was projected to terminate at San Diego, and in the years following, one or two other lines were proposed; but, owing to the uneasy conditions politically throughout the United States, and the feeling of prospective insecurity, little was done beyond the organization of a company, and the survey of the route between the port and the confluence of the Gila and Colorado rivers, in the first instance. A notable spirit of enterprise was then developed, however, and the project would probably have been successfully prosecuted, but for the breaking out of the civil war, and its premonitory indications.

In a freshet in 1825—there had been one before, in 1811—San Diego river, which had discharged into False bay, had changed its channel, and broke through into the harbor. There were other floods in the winter of 1839–'40, and in 1855. During this year, Lieutenant Derby completed the dam which was to turn the river back into False bay, this being his mission to San Diego. Two years after, it was swept away by another great freshet, and this was followed by another flood in 1862. After the destruction of the Derby dam the citizens constantly endeavored to prevail upon the Government to renew the good work; but no appropriation could be obtained from Congress until nearly twenty years after. It now discharges once more into False bay.

The first overland mail was carried on horseback, from San Diego to San Antonio, Texas. It left San Diego August 9, 1857, and was thirty-four days en route.

From 1859 to 1867 San Diego history had almost no salient points, or occurrences of especial interest. The winter of 1861–'62 was marked by unusually heavy rains, the fall being nearly thirty inches, as against an average fall of nine inches.

Even the civil war passed with little effect upon this point beyond the transportation of the troops to the East by steamer, and the filling of their places by volunteer forces.

On April 6, 1867, Alonzo Erastus Horton arrived at San Diego. He had attended, a short time previously, a private literary gathering in San Francisco, where San Diego, its climate and harbor, was a topic of discussion. Mr. Horton was greatly impressed by the accounts of this section, and decided to visit it. The city, such as it was, at that time was situated at Old Town, a Government barracks, officers' quarters, the remains of the William Heath Davis wharf, and a very few other constructions, being the only signs of human habitation at "New Town." Nevertheless, Mr. Horton's practical judgment and keen foresight led him to believe that this point was the site of an important city of the future; that powerful advantages were to be derived from locating the city directly on the bay shore; and that it would be an excellent speculation to purchase the pueblo lands, then considered worthless, that skirted the edge of the bay east of "New Town." First, he began to agitate an election of city trustees, and the candidates were nominated and elected without opposition. Then he caused to be surveyed 880 acres which he desired to purchase. His willingness to buy was made known to the pueblo authorities, and they advertised the property as to be offered for sale at public auction. The day of the sale found but one bidder, Mr. Horton, who accordingly bid in the whole tract at $26 an acre. This tract is now the main portion of the city of San Diego. Mr. Horton had his new possession platted under the classification of "Horton's Addition" and went to San Francisco to put it on sale. It can not be said that his success was at first notable. Old impressions were strong. That mad wag, Lieutenant Derby, had laughed a really good thing into disrepute, as is often done by people who laugh, particularly if on piper, with any degree of cleverness. The term "Sandy Ague," and many sly allusions to the spot as the favorite habitat of the lively flea, the luxurious horned toad, and the business-like rattlesnakes still rankled, deeply and darkly. Moreover, people of guilty consciences had uncomfortable feelings as to the supposed loftiness of the temperatures, but "Father" Horton was full of faith and singleness of purpose, and he never allowed himself to be discouraged. He held to his property steadfastly, and worked for it earnestly. During the infancy of the new city, he was ready to give land to every one who would add to its value by putting improvements upon it, but was more than once disappointed by faithless promises. To one man he gave a fine block of land, on which to build a hotel, but the hotel was never erected. To another, who now occupies a high position in the federal service, he gave another block which he bought back from the recipient, two years after, for $4,000. He gave one block for the site of a flouring mill, and to the county he deeded the block whereon stands the court-house. In all he gave away fourteen whole blocks, and detached lots without number, including that on which stands the Methodist church, on the corner of Fourth and D streets, now valued at $60,000, and to each of the other religious denominations as well he gave lots for church edifices. By valuation according to present prices, the real estate Mr. Horton has given away is worth at least $1,000,000. Beside this, he expended at various times over $700,000 of his own capital in improvements and development of the city. He built the Horton House, for many years the largest and finest hotel in San Diego, extending along all one side of the plaza. He it was who built the first wharf—since the Davis wharf had fallen into decay—which he afterward sold to the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, they in turn selling to the Pacific Coast Steamship Company, the present owners. Indeed, for three years, this gentleman carried the whole town, it may be said, upon his own shoulders, paying the salaries of the officials, and the running expenses of the corporation. Always ready was he to help the needy and deserving, and when all other employment failed he would always contrive to find work for married men, by which they could support their families. For a long time, this energy, this earnestness and singleness of purpose, this devotion, were but scantily rewarded. Mr. Horton's returns for the year 1867 were but $3,000; in two years they had increased to $85,000. It now began to appear as if the projected Memphis & El Paso Railway would shortly become a fait accompli, and railroad meetings were the order of the day.

Among other notable events of the year 1869 was the visit of the venerable statesman and patriot, William H. Seward. He reached San Diego on September 18 of that year, and was received with fitting honors. Two well-known citizens, Don Miguel de Pedrorena and Francisco P. Foster, accepted an invitation to join Mr. Seward's party and accompany him to Mexico. In Mr. Seward's company came various distinguished men, among them General W. S. Rosecrans, Colonel Thomas S. Sedgwick, General M. C. Hunter, of Louisiana, and Congressman Roots, of Arkansas.

It was during this period, too, that the brothers Frank and Warren Kimball bought the 27,000-acre Rancho de la Nacion, and laid out upon it, some four miles from San Diego, the town of National City, which, after sharing for some years the prosperities and the reverses of the parent city, was ultimately to prove a most potent factor in the institution of a condition of affairs which should serve to establish both on a stable and permanent basis of advancement.

Many newcomers arrived on every steamer from the north, not a few of those who were attracted by the bright, hopeful prospects of that period being among the "old residents" of the present. The town grew rapidly until it was a little city of 1,200 or 1,500. But that flattering hope proved delusive, there was another total collapse, and the town having no internal resources nor tributary elements, became utterly stagnated.

In 1870 the population of San Diego County was 4,951, of which one-half was in the city. The total value of all kinds of property in the county was $1,722,837, two-thirds of which was in the city. There were 1,790 houses in the county, of which 915, or more than one-half, were in the city. The statistics of production of that period showed the whole number of fruit trees in the county, of all kinds whatsoever, to be 223; the total number of grapevines, 1,487; the number of acres planted to grain, including wheat, barley and corn, 3,126.

The Chamber of Commerce of San Diego was organized in March, 1870.

In 1871 the Texas Pacific Railroad was organized, it was voted a handsome subsidy, ten miles of the line were graded, hopefulness and enthusiasm flourished, and so many strangers poured in that the population reached about 4,000. Many handsome edifices were built, including the present court-house, and the county seat was removed from Old Town to New Town, most of the American settlers and not a few of the Mexican residents of Old Town accompanying it.

Again, in 1872, San Diego was visited by some of the most eminent Americans of the age. On August 18 of that year the United States steamer Hassler arrived from the coast of South America, conveying Professor Louis Agassiz and wife, Dr. Thomas Hill, ex-president of Harvard College, and various other people notable in the scientific world, who belonged to the Hassler expedition. Six days later, Colonel Thomas A. Scott, escorting a large party of celebrated men, arrived, on a visit connected with the project of the Texas & Pacific Railway. Among the " railroad men" were: General G. M. Dodge, W. T. Walters, of Baltimore, John McManus, of Reading, amid Hon. John S. Harris. Then there were: Senator John Sherman, of Ohio; Governor J. W. Throckmorton, of Texas; Colonel John W. Forney, of Philadelphia; Colonel George Williamson, of Louisiana; W. H. Rinehart, the sculptor; Governor R. C. McCormick, of Arizona, and ex-Senator Cole. On the night of the 26th there was held an enthusiastic railroad meeting, at which most of these eminent men were present; and San Diego still prides herself upon the eulogies then pronounced upon her elements and her future by some of the most notable among these gentlemen, the justice and accuracy of whose prevision has been more than sustained by the history of the years succeeding.

The lands in 1853 confirmed to the pueblo comprised eleven square leagues, or 32,000 acres. There were persons who later claimed that the quantity of land of the city should be reduced to four square leagues, and on their appeals the matter was brought before the Department of the Interior. These disputes were finally settled January 31,1872, by the decision of the Secretary of the Interior, who sustained the city's title to the full amount of eleven square leagues. On February 23, 1872, the State Legislature finally passed an act, introduced in the Senate by Mr. McCoy, whereby all prior conveyances of lands by the municipal powers of San Diego were legalized, ratified and confirmed.

In 1873 there passed Congress a bill which created San Diego a "port of entry." Prior to that time this had been a "port of delivery "only.

It was precisely this period which witnessed the development of many of Mr. Horton's practical improvements, including Horton's Hall, Horton's Bank, the Horton House, the wharf, and many other buildings. It is to be remarked that most of these erections hold their own with the edifices recently constructed, so it is readily to be seen that they must have been very large for the city as it was at that time, and some of them were even extravagant. For instance, the building now occupied by the Hamiltons was built for a city market, and it would have been adequate for the purpose for a city ten times as large as San Diego then was. It was during this time of prosperity that the first telegraph line was built.

But the financial crash of 1873 came, and the Texas Pacific failed to come to San Diego, because of the impossibility of borrowing capital. The population of San Diego declined to about 2,500, and that of National City to a few scores. Dozens of houses stood vacant, dozens (to make a moderate computation) of men were out of employment, and ere many months the streets of both towns were almost deserted.

By the season of 1875–'76, the " winter visitor " had appeared at San Diego, attracted by climatic charms. His clan arrived in such numbers as to stimulate to a considerable extent business in the line of hotels and boarding houses. His stay, however, was usually brief, and his interest superficial. He saw no substantial or enduring attractions in the section. San Diego appeared to have no resources, no back country; and the apparent scarcity of water seemed to preclude future development. Moreover, the existing conditions were very primitive and inconvenient, and the lack of easy postal facilities and ready and comfortable transportation were grave drawbacks.

In 1876 it was attempted to have the bonds of the Texas Pacific guaranteed by Congress, but the measure was defeated by pressure from the eastern and northwestern sections. However, the movement did not stir San Diego from the lethargy into which she had fallen.

In 1879 there was a slight, brief agitation caused by the rumor of a prospective railway, which proved unfounded.

In 1881 one of the founders of National City, who had worked untiringly for the section, proposed to endeavor to induce the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway to build to San Diego; and, although his suggestion elicited but skepticism and ridicule from his fellow-citizens, he loyally and determinedly persisted, went East at his own expense, talked, urged, argued, refused to accept rebuff or discouragement, and—at last succeeded. Capital condescended to listen to one inducement—the offer of 17,000 acres of the best land on the bay, from the splendid National Ranch. Two directors of the road came out to investigate; they saw, and found it good. Several thousands of acres more were offered by other parties. The California Southern was organized, and in 1882 it was finished to Colton, San Bernardino County, from National City, which terminus grew to a population of about 1,000, while San Diego had gained some 15,000 inhabitants.

The hopeful expectations from this road were doomed to disappointment. It had no direct eastern connection, and there was much opposition from other sections, so that travel over it was practically nil. As a climax, the winter of 1882 –'83 was a very dry one, and the crops failed on all the unirrigated lowlands. By the autumn, National City had lost half its population, and San Diego lost more than its recent increase. Finally, early in 1884, most of the railroad in Temecula Cañon and Santa Margarita was washed out by a flood, having been built too low by Eastern engineers who did not understand the requirements of the Pacific coast climate. It took something like nine months to replace the road and restore traffic, and even then very dull times still continued.

Early in 1885 work was begun on the extension of the California Southern to Barstow, and it was then understood that San Diego was to be the Pacific terminus of the Santa Fé system.

Almost coincident with this movement was the beginning of work on an extensive water system and the consequent development of agricultural wealth.

The growth of San Diego had now begun in earnest. From a probable 5,000 inhabitants in 1885, it increased to at least 30,000 by the close of 1887.

The history of San Diego for 1888 and 1889 is hereinafter set forth.

San Diego County, California
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San Diego County, California History, Records, Facts and Genealogy

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San Diego County, California
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