Encinitas History

 

The first recorded peoples living in the Encinitas real estate area were the San Diguitos, the La Jollans, and the Dieguenos Indian tribes.  The San Diegueno’s tribe was the first group that were mission converts and who helped build the Spanish missions. The area where now 1000’s of Encinitas homes are located sits on the Pacific coastline ( many are Encinitas ocean view homes ) with the Batiquitos Lagoon to the north and the San Elijo Lagoon to the south.
Encinitas – Hills of Live Oaks:  In 1669, the govenor of baja Mexico, Gaspar de Portola came to the region.    His goal was to establish a teaching base for schools and religion.  His mission was to build several “presidios,”  He saw many live oaks on the rolling hills and named the area Encina Canada, Spanish for “hills of live oaks.”  The region was first controlled by the Spanish government as many other areas of San Diego North County real estate.
Mexican Land Grants:  In the 1880’s control shifted to the Mexican government.  The Mexican gave out land grants throught the area to farmers and ranchers.  In 1881, Jabez Pitcher settled in what is now Encinitas.  He filed a claim for 160 acres (a quater of a mile section)  near the railroad tracks where the current Civic Center is now located.  He became know as the father of Encinitas.  A few years earlier, English immigrants settled a few miles north of Encinitas and named the area Leucadia, “Isle of Paradise.”  Nearby Cardiff, which also makes up the Encinitas real estate area, was settled in 1875 by the McKinnon family.  They homesteaded on the north shore of the San Elijo Lagoon.
German Immigrants – Olivehain:  1884, a small group of German immigrants settled a small community inland.  There were many olive groves and they named their community Olivenhain.   The Olivenhain Meeting Hall is still used today for some social events and meetings.  In1909, Frank Cullen bought a large tract near the Lagoon and the sea.  He had it surveyed, and established streets and lots.  He named his town, in 1914, Cardiff-by-the-Sea.  
More Encinitas History:  For more history you can visit the San Dieguito Historical Museum and learn more about the indigious Indian tribes.  All of these areas were combined in 1986 to become what is now the very large Encinitas real estate area.  
For more home info see Encinitas Things to Do, Encinitas Homes for Sale, and Encinitas Real Estate.   Gary Harmon has been one of the top North County and Encinitas Realtors for over 20 years. For more home information about Encinitas homes for sale, Encinitas ocean view homes, or Encinitas whitewater view homes, contact Gary Harmon your Encinitas Realtor.   Content by .