History
San Alejo History
Native American Indian tribes populated San Alejo Area 8,000 years before the first European settlers arrived. Shell middens, the refuse of hunting-gathering societies, show the earliest inhabitants relied heavily on coastal resources, including foods such as scallops, clams, shark, barracuda, bonito, and abalone. The ocean provided such a rich and constant source of food.
These early settlers lived at the coast for long periods of time. More recently, so called Kumeyaay occupied the San Elijo. They traveled seasonally to take advantage of resources both along the coast and inland.
In the year 1769, the Portola Expedition named the place San Alejo in honor of Saint Alexius. In the first years of 1800s Spaniards and settlers from other parts of Europe settled the region and start to build cattle ranches. When the Gold Rush started more and more people came to San Alejo. Their community was called Olivenhain, along Escondido Creek, it was a farming community. Farmers plowed and planted the riparian corridors upstream of the estuary. In that time those people radically changed the vegetation and terrain of San Alejo lagoon.
The most permanent changes in San Alejo were when the railroad was constructed, Pacific Coast Highway, and Interstate 5. Each required supporting berms that restricted water circulation and the natural influx of ocean water.
Other negative reactions as a result of constructions were increases in sediment from surface erosion and road fill failures. Fine sediment can affect aquatic populations and their reproduction.
In the 1960s many suggestion what ot be build were made. People want to build condominiums, a golf course, a marina, a closed saltwater lake, and even a theme park with water rides. But the community replied with a big no.
Motor Company in 2000 gave $1.4 million so the Conservancy could purchase more land. Also many people, scientists donated to that cause.
More details of Encinitas can be found here: http://www.bestofcalifornia.info/encinitas.html
You can read more about lodging, recreation and services of City of Encinitas here http://www.bestofcalifornia.info/
John Saras
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