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The first Southern California railroad train started its’ new route on August 14, 1882. It went from San Diego to San Bernardino. The Contractor and Engineer who worked on the railroad, Theodore M. Loop, purchased land and built a home on a mesa, just north of San Diego. He described this as “the most attractive place on the entire coast.” Theodore built a tent city on the beach and his wife, Ella, called it “Del Mar” – words taken from a popular poem, ” The Fight on Paseo Del Mar”.
In that same year “Colonel” Jacob Taylor, with his family, came to live on Rancho Penasquitos. Together Jacob Taylor and Theodore Loop decided they should build a town. Therefore, in the summer of 1885, Taylor purchased 338.11 acres at the northern end of the mesa from homesteader Enoch Talbert for $1,000. Thus the town of Del Mar was officially founded.
Taylor pictured Del Mar as a seaside resort for the rich and famous. He designed and built a town whose focal point was Casa del Mar, now on 10th Street. In 1889, Taylor’s hotel burned to the ground, leaving Del Mar without its main attraction. With the loss of the hotel and with many Californians suffering from economic hardships, Del Mar became dormant for about 15 years until the early 1900s, when the powerful South Coast Land Company began to develop San Diego County, including Del Mar. The Company hired an architect, John C. Austin, to draw plans for a new hotel, the Stratford Inn, to be built on the northwest corner of 15th Street and Grand Ave. (now Camino del Mar). From its opening in 1910, it served as a magnet for Hollywood stars of the silent film days. From 1912 to 1920, beautiful new homes were built that soon became landmarks. Although home building came to a halt during the depression of the 1930s; life in Del Mar went on and a Civic Association was formed in 1931.
THE FAIRGROUNDS AND RACETRACK
In 1933, a search for a permanent location for the San Diego County Fair began. Ed Fletcher suggested that the 184 acre site in the San Diego Valley – just off the main highways and the Santa Fe Railroad – would be easily accessible and a perfect setting for a fairground. The Works Progress Administration (WPA) provided funding and the “Del Mar” Fair opened on October 8, 1936. Fifty thousand people came to enjoy the exhibits and entertainment.
During World War II, the racetrack was closed, and the grandstand became a bomber tail assembly production facility. Racing returned to Del Mar when the war in Europe was over. On August 14, 1945, Pat O’Brien announced to the assembled racetrack patrons that Japan had surrendered.
DEL MAR TODAY, click for Demographics
In 1959 Del Mar incorporated as a city. It is now the smallest municipality in the booming San Diego region; a gem nestled along the coast. The most significant impact on the community over the last 40 years has been nearby University of California, San Diego (UCSD). Many faculty members and students reside in the community, influencing the political, social and cultural climate. In the 1970 the emphasis of the local government shifted towards slow growth, open spaces and preservation. Because of the efforts of an active group called the Friends of Del Mar, there will never be high-rise apartment buildings or billboards in the City.
People come to visit or live in Del Mar for the same reasons, as did the founding fathers: it is one of the most beautiful places in the country. Whether coming to enjoy the beach, shop in the village, spend a day at the races or just relax, Del Mar is “always in season.
PROPERTIES FOR SALE
