Wonder how San Marcos evolved from a valley to a thriving city? Let’s journey back in time right here in San Marcos.
San Marcos was once named Los Vallecitos de San Marcos. This translates to Little Valleys of St. Mark. Spanish soldiers gave it this name in 1797. They discovered the valley on St. Mark’s Day.
The area was home to Native Americans. The Spaniards called them Luisenos.
Fast forward to 1840. Governor Juan B. Alvarado granted Rancho Vallecitos de San Marcos to his relative, Jose Alvarado. Jose was killed in 1846. His wife sold the land to Lorenzo Soto.
In the late 1850s, Soto sold part of his land to Cave Couts. His family raised livestock. Major Gustavus French Merriam made the first permanent settlement. He started wine and honey production in the north Twin Oaks Valley.
German and Dutch immigrants arrived in the early 1880s. John H. Barham founded the town of Barham in 1883. By 1884, Barham had a post office. It also had a blacksmith, feed store and newspaper.
The San Marcos Land Company bought land from the Couts family in 1887. They divided the land into tracts. The hills began attracting home-seekers.
The original town of San Marcos was north of Barham. In 1887, the Santa Fe Railroad announced tracks through the valley. But the tracks were laid one mile from the town center. By 1896, San Marcos had its own stores and a post office. It also had a blacksmith and railroad depot.
The first school started in Barham in 1886. It moved to San Marcos three years later. Barham was fading due to its distance from the railroad.
In 1903, the people of San Marcos moved their homes. They went east along the railroad tracks. This is now Mission Road and Pico Avenue. By 1905, the town had rural mail delivery and telephone service. Farming was the main business in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Dairies and poultry production became a big part of the business in the mid-20th century.
San Marcos grew rapidly from 1956. The first water from the Colorado River arrived. Several small businesses were founded. The population increased to 2,500.
San Marcos incorporated on January 28, 1963. In the 1970s, San Marcos was the third fastest-growing city in the state. The population reached 17,479 by 1980.
In World War II, the fire station on Pico was manned by four women. Butch, Tommy, Babe and Mrs. Gene Pirazzini stepped in to help. Mrs. Pirazzini acted as the Fire Chief. The ladies were graduates of fire-fighting courses. They lived barracks style and slept on bunks. They maintained a victory garden. San Marcos may have had the first all-women fire crew in the county and even the entire state.
Lake San Marcos was developed in the 1960s. The Frazar Brothers bought land and reshaped the lake. They built a motel and restaurant. A shopping center and golf courses followed.
Today, San Marcos is a thriving city. It has a diverse population and a strong economy. It is home to California State University San Marcos and Palomar College. San Marcos continues to offer a desirable environment for its residents and businesses.
From a valley named by Spanish soldiers to a modern city, San Marcos has a rich history. Its story is one of growth, resilience and community spirit.