A Short History by Jonathan Ansley Ward

After Christopher Columbus rediscovered America in 1492, Europeans, many of whom had believed the Earth was flat like a tortilla, awakened to a more well-rounded view. His discovery released a floodgate of adventurers seeking gold and lands. Among them were Ponce de Leon, Balboa, Cortés, Pizzaro, and de Soto. 

Along with adventurers, Spanish missionaries brought the Christian religion and a new way of life to this new world. During the years 1769 through1833, 21 missions were founded along the California coast. Number 18 among the missions was San Luis Rey in Oceanside. The mission was named by a French monk in honor of the king of France. That monk was a French friar.

Among the natives living around the mission were the Shoshanean tribe, who were called “Luiseños” by the Spanish. One day some of these natives purloined some of the mission’s animal flock and headed inland with their booty. Spanish soldiers gave chase. It was April 25, 1797 — the Catholic feast day of St. Mark. The natives got away, but a major result of the chase was the European discovery of the “Los Vallecitos del San Marcos” — the Little Valley of Saint Mark. The soldiers described it as a fertile valley of green hills and streams— MUY BONITA!  

In 1840 Spanish Governor Alvarado granted ownership of the valley to his relative, Jose Alvarado. Alvarado founded the Rancho Vallecitos de San Marcos. He was killed in the Pauma Massacre and left the land to his widow. She sold the rancho to Lorenzo Soto. Some Alvarado descendants fought the sale, but with California statehood and the Land Act of 1850, Soto won title to the land. 

In 1851 part of Rancho Vallecitos de San Marcos was sold to former Army Lt. Cave Couts and his wife Isadora. Previously they were given Rancho Guajome in Vista by Isaac Sterns of Los Angeles – nice wedding gift! The Guajome ranch house is still standing in the park by Highway 76. Over time Couts amassed about 20,000 acres and became a wealthy cattle baron. However, in 1871 California passed a fence law which required that cattle be fenced in order to protect farmland. Thus, Couts was forced to sell his herd at a loss. He died soon after, but his widow and descendants raised sheep and farmed the land. In 1887 Cave’s widow Isadora sold her 8,877 acres to the San Marcos Land Company with the intention to divide the acreage into lots for sale. 

In 1875 the first official homesteader settled in the area, Gustauvs Merriman. He named his ranch for a double-trunked oak tree prominent on his property – Twin Oaks Valley. His descendants continued to own some of his property until 2001, when it was bought by a nursery along Deer Springs Road.

In 1882 James Barham, an entrepreneur, moved into our area. A village grew up bearing his name at the intersection of present-day Rancho Santa Fe Road and San Marcos Boulevard. In 1888 the Santa Fe Railroad laid tracks from Oceanside to San Marcos. However, the tracks were laid along present-day Mission Avenue, a mile north of the town site. With lack of easy access to the railroad, Barham town was eventually abandoned. However, the frontage road along the 78 still retains the Barham name. 

The village bearing the name of San Marcos originally grew up around the present-day intersection of Rancho Santa Fe Road and Grand Avenue. With the railroad opening to the north along Mission, the citizens “moved their town” to the intersections of Mission and Pico Avenues, nearer the train station at Mission and Los Posas Avenues.

By 1905 San Marcos had a grocery store, a blacksmith, postal delivery, telephone service, schools, and other businesses. Agriculture flourished in the region, starting with cattle and farming, and later sheep, poultry, and dairy production.

The Spanish soldiers and missionaries, U.S. statehood, arrival of the Santa Fe Railroad, and the hard work of early pioneers paved the way for Rancho Vallecitos de San Marcos to transform into the City of San Marcos of today. The Census of 1880 records a population of 96. Today that number is approaching100,000 of the most wonderful neighbors.

Some mileposts of our San Marcos Lake history: 

The Clemson and Wells families owned the land straddling San Marcos Creek, farming and raising cattle. In 1948 in order to create a constant supply of water, they built a dam which created a 30-acre lake. In 1962 after years of working the land, they decided to sell and retire. The three Frazar brothers, developers from Glendale, bought the land for $5,000,000 with the idea of creating a “resort community.” By rebuilding the lake shoreline they increased the size of the lake to 40 acres. The community was professionally planned. First, they built the motel and restaurant, and later came golf courses, swimming pools, and tennis courts. Investors were flow in by hydroplane to check out the opportunities. Tract and custom homes were built, as well as condos, and later came the senior living options. In 2012-2013 Pacifica Corporation took over ownership of the “Lake & Lodge” facilities, making much needed improvements. Lake San Marcos has indeed become a blue jewel in the crown of Southern California living.