Carlsbad Heritage
Carlsbad Ca.! Home to world class beaches, the famous
Flower Fields, golf capital of America, the list goes on…
Thinking of buying a home or some real estate in
Carlsbad? Maybe understanding a little more about the history of
our lovely community will help you make that important decision.
The community of Carlsbad is named for the popular
19th century Karlsbad Spa in Europe, but its history goes well beyond
and spans many cultures.
The first mention of Carlsbad in the chapters of
history was hardly flattering. In 1769, a contingent of Spanish explorers,
led by Don Gaspar de Portola, was plodding its way into Alta California
to claim the territory for the King of Spain.
Included in the expedition was missionary Fray Juan
Crespi, who recorded a brief stop at a lagoon. Resting downwind from
a garbage pile of an Indian Village, the troops christened the lagoon
for posterity: Agua Hedionda (Stinking Water.) Interestingly enough,
one of our local lagoons is named Agua Hedionda – but good
news, the lagoon was cleaned up many years ago and today is home
to several species of natural wildlife.
Following in their footsteps were more soldiers and
priests, to establish pueblos and missions to ensure Spain's hold
on its remote territory.
To convert the friendly local Indians to Christianity,
the Franciscan missionaries, in 1798, established Mission San Luis
Rey several miles north of the lagoon. The mission known as "The
King of Missions" became the largest of 21 missions in California
extending over 20 square miles with herds of cattle, extensive crops
and administering the lives of 2,000 Indian residents.
In 1833 the rich mission holdings in Carlsbad were
secularized and divided into large land grants of several thousand
acres each. Initially claimed by influential Californian’s,
the large ranches, over the next half century were subdivided and
sold off. As you can see, the Carlsbad Ca. real estate moguls were
already staking their claims in the early 19th century!
With the coming of the railroad in 1883, the land
between Los Angeles and San Diego was opened up to homesteaders.
The Carlsbad Ca. depot was built in 1887 by the Arizona Eastern Railway.
The Depot also served as a telegraph office, Post Office, Wells
Fargo Express Office and general store. Purchased by the Atchison,
Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad in 1905, the depot was shipping point
for locally grown fruit, vegetables and flowers.
Closed in 1960, the building was deeded to the city.
It now serves as the Tourist Information Center to provide information
and assistance to the many tourists who visit Carlsbad. The depot
is on the National Register of Historic Places and shares it's historical
significance with Rancho de Los Kiotes (Carrillo Ranch). This parcel
of real estate is the city's noted Ca. Registered Historical Landmark.
When it was owned by movie actor & conservationist, Leo Carillo,
it was frequented by other famous “Hollywood types” such
as Clark Gable and others. They were often seen riding horses throughout
the hills.
So how did this community come to be named Carlsbad?
The name is borrowed from a well-known spa in Bohemia (now Czech
Republic.)
The name was adopted for this California community
in the 1880s when retired sea captain, John Frazier, struck mineral
water while drilling a well on his homestead. Laboratory tests revealed
the water to have the same mineral properties as the water in Karlsbad,
Bohemia, hence the name.
The cool sips of water that he graciously offered
to thirsty train passengers became famous for their apparent healing
powers.
After three years of ownership, Frazier sold his
well to German immigrant, Gerhard Schutte, who established the Ca.
Land and Mineral Water Company.
A new 100-room hotel was built and the fledgling
town was touted as "the greatest seaside sanatorium on the Pacific
coast--blessed with mineral wells which effect astonishing cures
in remarkably brief periods."
Schutte's spacious mansion, built in 1887, later
became known as one of Carlsbad's Twin Inns. It is now the renowned
Neiman’s restaurant.
With the introduction of irrigation water in 1914,
dry farming blossomed into the cultivation of flowers, vegetables
and fruit orchards.
With the Great Depression of the 30's, newly constructed
Carlsbad Ca. Mineral Springs Hotel went bankrupt and the famous mineral
well was capped. The site of the original well is at the Alt Karlsbad
Hanse House on Carlsbad Boulevard.
Other economic opportunities enabled the community
to grow and prosper without the mineral water enterprise.
The city has grown from a population of 300 at the
turn of the century to over 73,000 today. Even with this growth,
many of the valleys and hillsides remain undeveloped and have changed
little from the time of the Luiseno Indian encampments. The friendly
small-town atmosphere envisioned by Schutte remains a feature of
Carlsbad's historic downtown.
Today, Carlsbad California is famous for several
noted features:
The Carlsbad Flower Fields are vivid in color and
bloom throughout the months of April & May, especially the large
American flag grown out of thousands of flowers. Spanning many acres
with panoramic ocean views, this parcel of real estate is worth $$Millions$$
if it were developed. Fortunately, the city of Carlsbad has determined
to keep it “blooming” for many years to come and for
the enjoyment of all!
Carlsbad Ca. is also home to the luxurious La Costa
Resort and Spa. This world class resort has been renowned since the
70’s and thanks to a $100 million remodel/face-lift, it’s
once again been lifted to the prominence of it’s early years.
Home to the PGA Match Play Championships and the Women’s ATP
Acura Tennis Classic, La Costa has gained world-wide appeal.
Today, Carlsbad is home to such noted golf companies
as Calloway, Top Flight and Titleist. And what would a city claiming
to be the golf capital of America be without a world class golf course?!
Acres of real estate have been dedicated to the new Carlsbad Public
Golf Course, opening July of 2007!
So now you’ve visited
Carlsbad and it’s past. Ready to become part of it’s
future? If you’re interested in owning a home or real estate
in Carlsbad, it’s time to contact Al Rex….
