Lake Murray is known for its water sports and Cowles Mountain for its student-created landmark, both in San Carlos, but the neighborhood has more history than that. It is actually a newer community within San Diego that developed during the postwar housing boom and has some unique fun facts that make it a community worth exploring.
1. It’s named after the man who developed it
Carlos José Tavares was a San Diego developer who helped design several communities. In 1958, he gave San Carlos his own name after previously naming Clairemont after his wife, Claire. The San Carlos tract was created from the annexation of around 4,200 acres of land around Lake Murray and included Del Cerro with the development beginning in 1959.
2. The neighborhood was part of San Diego’s post-WWII development
The late 1950s and 60s saw San Carlos develop as part of San Diego that included building on land to create San Carlos and Del Cerro. There were houses, schools, shops and other buildings to help draw new residents.
3. Lake Murray actually predates San Carlos
Lake Murray was created due to San Diego needing a reliable water source. In 1886, the San Diego Flume Co. was founded to help transport water from the Cuyamaca Mountains to San Diego with the flume opening in 1889. The current Murray Reservoir dam was built in 1918 by the Cuyamaca Water Company. The City of San Diego took over operation of the reservoir in 1950 and purchased it from Helix 10 years later.
4. Cowles Mountain was named after a rancher
Cowles Mountain was named after George A. Cowles, a rancher who moved to the San Diego area in 1877 and purchased 4,000 acres to develop vineyards. A community formed around his ranch and became known as Cowlestown before eventually becoming Santee.
5. The ‘S’ on the mountaintop was a college tradition
On Feb. 27, 1931, around 500 students from the school then-known as San Diego State College — you may know it now as San Diego State University — climbed up the mountain. There they created a large 400-foot-high ‘S’ using rocks, paint and lime.
The single letter on the mountaintop became a part of campus life, and students would look after the ‘S’ and light it up for celebrations. During World War II, the mountain was camouflaged with brush, but in April 1944 students brought back the tradition.
6. Cowles Mountain was almost developed
In 1974, Cowles Mountain was at risk of being developed, but local leaders and community advocates came together to save it. The City of San Diego and San Diego County purchased the mountain for $2.2 million on Dec. 31, 1974. This helped create the foundations for Mission Trails Regional Park, and the park was named after a community competition in 1979.
7. The community campaigned for a library
During the 1960s, San Carlos was developed and buyers were promised a full community, including a library. By 1970, most facilities had been set up; however, there was no library. Residents campaigned for city officials to find a place for it, and finally, on Jan. 9, 1974, the San Carlos Branch Library opened, following years of work by residents including Toni Noel, who helped organize the campaign.
8. The recreation center was set up with community involvement
The San Carlos Recreation Center opened in 1970 and was set up with planning meetings at local residents’ homes. Many of those involved in bringing recreation to the community helped create the center. This gave locals another facility they wanted and a place where they could go to read, study, and congregate.
San Carlos has come a long way since it was developed during the postwar period. Lake Murray, Cowles Mountain, the library and the recreation center remain important parts of the community. Not only do the houses have a rich history, but the locals who helped develop the community also did their part.
Read more history stories here. Do you have a story to tell? Send an email to DebbieSklar@cox.net.
Sources:
- San Carlos Branch Library Friends of the Library, “Welcome to San Carlos … Learn Its History.”
- City of San Diego, “Murray Reservoir.”
- San Diego History Center, “San Diego Flume.”
- City of Santee, “Santee: A Look At The Past.”
- SDSU News, “Give Me an ‘S’,” by Sandra Millers Younger, Feb. 21, 2012.
- Inside San Diego, “Today Marks the 50th Anniversary of the Purchase and Preservation of Cowles Mountain,” Dec. 31, 2024.
- San Carlos Branch Library Friends of the Library, “How San Carlos Got Its Library.”
- City of San Diego, “San Carlos Recreation Center.”
