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First to the area were the Indians. They lived in tribes that where more like large family groups. They made a living off the acorns, deer, bear, rabbits, and corn.
The Spanish show up in San Diego in 1769 and began exploration of the backcountry. In those days the wealth in California was made in Cattle hides. Also known as California Bucks. The Mexican Land Grants in the area enclose good grazing land. Santa Ysabel Rancho, Cuyamaca(kweeamaca) Rancho, San Felipe Rancho.
Gold was discovered in 1869 by Alfred "Fred" Coleman, a coffee colored black man who had worked in the gold fields in Northern California but was working as a ranch hand. Word of the find got to the town of San Diego and the rush was started. Emily City was the name of the tent city that was formed. In the early part of 1870 the hard rock mines were located. Drue Bailey and his brothers and cousins had come looking for gold but Drue Bailey fell in love with the lovely little valley where Julian is now located. He named the town Julian after his cousin Mike Julian because he was the best looking of the bunch.
Some months earlier four men had purchased the Cuyamaca Rancho Land Grant with the idea of cutting lumber to sell to the growing town of San Diego. When the hard rock mines were discovered in Julian, they paid a surveyor to flot the Land Grant line North of the newly discovered mines. Then they demanded a considerable share of the profits from the mines. Without clear titles to their mines the miner couldn't get the capital investor's to develope their mines. For three years, as the court case worked its way through the system, mining in Julian came to a halt. Fortunately hard rock mines were found outside the disputed area, down in the desert area that became Banner. Named Banner after the US flag used to mark the first mine. The mines worked on and off through the 1910's. There is still a working gold mine in the area but it makes more money from the tourist then the mine. Many mines still have active work going but the miner won't talk much. Much of the Gold left in the area needs the cyanide process to release it from the rock. The cyanide process is very poluting and is now against the law.
The first apple trees were brought in from Central California at the time of the first gold rush (1869). Successful miners settled in the area after their mines played out. They became ranchers and farmers. Unsuccessful miners moved on to Tombstone, Arizonia.
Other Reading on Julian History: "Julian City and Cuyamaca Country," by Charles R. LeMenager, Eagle Peak Publishing Co., 1992. Good book on basic history of this area.
"Mines of Julian," by Helen Ellsberg, La Siesta Press,1972. Good source for information about the Mines of Julian.
"History of Julian," Julian Historical Society, 1964. Mostly antecdotal history, contains some errors. read after reading "Julian City and Cuyamaca Country" and believe LeMenager over this book.
"Historic Julian Walking Tour" and "Historic Julian Driving Tour" written by me, Susan Fowler. Available at Julian Pioneer Museum, Warm Hearth, Antique Boutique, Manzanita Ranch, Julian Tea and Cottage Arts.
I have a database with 3000 Julian Pioneers. If you want me to research your ancestors just e-mail me the information you have.
Steven Johnson has posted names from our cemetary on his website: http://www.interment.net/data/us/ca/sandiego/julian/julian_pioneer.htm
Interested in stories about the old west? try the discussion board on this site: Tim's Old West Pages