8 Surprising Facts About National City, San Diego, CA
1. It’s the second oldest city in the county
National City was officially incorporated on September 17, 1887, making it the second oldest city in San Diego County. The only older city is San Diego itself, which was incorporated in 1850.
2. The first San Diego County Fair was held in National City
In 1880, the very first edition of the San Diego County Fair was established in National City to show off its abundance of agricultural products, including lemons, oranges, and olives.
3. National City owes its name to Mexico’s independence
When the Spanish settled San Diego, the land National City sits on was used by royal troops to graze cattle and horses. They called it El Rancho del Rey, which translates to the “Ranch of the King.” But after Mexico declared independence from Spain in 1810, California eventually wound up under Mexican control, and the ranch was renamed Rancho de la Nación, meaning “Ranch of the Nation,” to reflect autonomy from the monarchy. After California became a U.S. territory in 1848, people started calling it the National Ranch until it officially incorporated as National City.
4. San Diego’s first modern home was built in National City
In 1868, San Francisco contractors Frank, Warren, and Levi Kimball bought Rancho de la Nación, and subsequently established the city here. The men built roads, a wharf, brought the railroad here, and Frank Kimball worked with the U. S. Department of Agriculture to import and plant lemon, orange, and olive trees, some of which may still be found throughout town today. This ambitious Kimball brother also built himself a home here, which featured a bathtub and hot, running water; the first home in all fo San Diego to boast such modern amenities!
5. National City has one of San Diego’s highest concentration of historic homes
National City boomed in the 19th century, when it was designated to be the terminus of a national rail system. While that did not pan out, the rush of home construction left behind the most Victorian homes per capita in all of San Diego county. Many were ultimately moved or demolished, but more than 250 historic Victorian homes remain, along with several other historic city properties.
6. A National City discovery could change human history
In 1992, a paleontological dig in National City unearthed the broken bones of the Cerutti Mastodon. It was later determined that the remains of the massive elephant ancestor are over 130-thousand years old. However, the dig also uncovered stones that were alleged to be the tools people of the time used to break the animal bones. The problem is, archeologists have long theorized that humans did not cross into North America until 40-thousand years ago. If people were in fact hunting mastodon in National city 130 millennia ago, human history will need to be rewritten.
7. The Mile of Cars used to have a slightly different name
Following 1914 opening of the Panama Canal, the U.S. Navy made San Diego, including National City bayfront, it’s largest hub on the west coast. Following World War Two, National City was home to such a high concentration of sailors that National City Boulevard became saturated with drinking establishments, thus earning the nickname “Mile of Bars.” In the late 20th century, the community sought to shake that nickname. All the bars closed, and car dealers have opened in their stead, changing the street’s nickname by a single letter: Mile of Cars.
8. Car Audio City offers two years financing at zero-percent interest!
Car Audio City is National City’s premier installer of car audio, security, window tinting, lights, wheels, doors, and more! Our experienced installers make Car Audio City the best place in National City and all of San Diego to go for car upgrades and accessories. Call us at (619) 474-8551 or visit us today to find out about our special financing offers, including two years and zero interest!