Historic Julian
Confederate veterans from Georgia headed West to seek their fortunes in a new, mostly unsettled land. Among these were cousins, Drue Bailey and Mike Julian, who found a lush meadow between the Volcan Mountains and the Cuyamacas to their liking.
The town was named Julian, in honor of Mike Julian, who later was elected San Diego County Assessor. The town was never big, at the most it boasted a population of about 600 — more than reside in the historic district today. Rumor has it that Julian almost became San Diego’s county seat.
A cattleman, Fred Coleman, found the first fleck of gold in a creek in early 1870. It was San Diego’s first and only gold rush. The gold rush was short lived, lasting from 1870 until around 1900, with some mining still later on. A local resident’s Grandfather is listed as a hoist operator at the Golden Chariot mine on his WWI enlistment papers. But the pioneers stayed and began farming the rich land.
While many crops were planted and animals pastured, Julian proved to be a fine place to grow apples. Julian apples, “Twenty-one varieties of well grown and carefully selected apples”, received the Bronze Wilder Medal, a top honor, from the American Pomological Society at the 1907 Tri-centennial Exposition held in Jamestown, Virginia. Apples continue to be produced in Julian. Their sweet, fresh flavor lures thousands to the mountains each fall, when visitors will find fruit stands overflowing with crisp fruit, homemade cider and other delicacies, and enjoy U-picking.
Many of the early pioneers are buried in the Julian Haven of Rest cemetery, located on the hill just North of town. The cemetery is open to the public.
ABOUT JULIAN
Julian is a historic gold mining town located approximately one hour east of San Diego. It is a quaint mountain retreat with four distinct seasons: Spring brings the blossoming of many flowers including daffodils and lilacs; Summer is perfect for hiking and star-gazing; Fall is famous for the apple harvest and fall colors; while Winter brings snowfall and bright, crisp days.
Although famous for its apples and superb apple pie, Julian has become the center for visitors who wish to stay in the mountains but take day trips to the nearby casinos, the Anza Borrego Desert State Park and the coast. It is known as the B&B capital of Southern California with its romantic atmosphere, and is also fast becoming a great destination for families, hikers, weddings and corporate retreats.
Specialty shops line the historic streets, and the attractions are unique, ranging from wineries to gold mines to a wolf preserve. With a year-round calendar of unique events, Julian offers plenty of old fashioned entertainment for couples, families and groups of all ages.
Some of Our Historic Sites
Eagle Mining Co., The
Tour Eagle and High Peak Mines, two of Julian’s original gold mines. Guides lead you through the intricate path of tunnels in the hard rock mine and share tales of the life of early residents of Julian. Open: 10 am to 4 pm (Maybe later on weekends.)
(760) 765-0036
End of C Street, P.O. Box 624, Julian, CA 92036
www.theeaglemining.com
Pioneer Museum
Julian Pioneer Museum – The museum features, vintage clothing, photographs, household and mining equipment, and a renown lace collection. There are Victorian era pianos, an original Julian City buggy and sleigh, an extensive exhibit of Indian artifacts, and animal and bird mountings indigenous to the area. Built circa 1890 by Joseph Treshil as a blacksmith shop, it later served as a brewery for Peter Meyerhofer
Open Friday 11-3 and Sat/Sun 10-4
(760) 765-0227
2811 Washington Street, P.O. Box 511, Julian, CA 92036
Email:Â info@julianpioneermuseum.org
www.julianpioneermuseum.org
Julian “Gold Rush” Hotel
Julian Gold Rush Hotel is the oldest continuously operating hotel in Southern California. It offers a blend of historic charm and modern comforts in a picturesque setting.
2032 Main Street, Julian, California 92036
Reservations: (760)765-0201
Julianhotel.com
Learn more about the hotel’s history here:Â https://www.julianhotel.com/history
Santa Ysabel School at Witch Creek
The Santa Ysabel School at Witch Creek was built in 1880, on land donated by the Sawday Family. Students in grades one through eight were taught by one teacher until 1952, this is when the seventh and eighth grade students were sent to Julian. For the next two years the first through sixth grade students were taught by the last teacher to teach at the Witch Creek School, Mrs. Rosemary Dewitt. In 1954 The school was closed and students living in the valley rode the bus to Julian.
The Lightner family bought the Witch Creek school property after it was closed and used it as a retreat for several years. They sold the property to the Starr family who planned on tearing the building down. The little building, in a state of severe disrepair was saved by the efforts of the Julian Historical Society. A dedicated group of volunteers’ spear headed a campaign to secure the funds to move the building to Julian.
In 1970 the county of San Diego made a location ready in Pioneer Park in Julian, a mover provided the manpower and equipment, and the building was moved was placed on two truck and slowly made its way up the mountain. The building was restored and became Julian’s second public library, opening in November 1971.
The Witch Creek school building ceased being a library in 2004, when a new, larger, and more up to date library was opened.
The charming school building is now the home of the Julian Historical Society. 2133 4th, Julian, CA 92036
Washington Mine
The Washington Mine was registered on George Washington’s birthday in 1870. Gold bearing rock was found in 1869 at the site of the mine and a claim was filed by three men camped near the site. Gold had been found in the previously in the area, but this claim was the first producing hard rock mine to be developed in Julian.
​Gold was not found in nuggets such as found in Northern California. Julian gold was locked in quarry rock. The ore (rock) was removed from the mine and then crushed and processed to extract the gold. This was hard work and very labor intensive. Miners felt they had a good day if by dark they had an ounce or two of gold.
​Julian gold was considered jewelry quality and was often sold in San Diego.
* June 1869: Fred Coleman discovered gold while watering his horse in what is known today as Coleman Creek.
* February 20, 1870: H.C. Bickers, while following bear tracks into the hills , discovered gold bearing quartz.
* February 22, 1870: Bickers registered the George Washington Mine.
* The Washington Mine is made up of tunnels 100 ft. to 150 ft. in length with a 100 ft. shaft and three-100 ft. drift tunnels
* Drift tunnels follow the gold veins.
* 11,000 ounces of gold was produced during the mine’s operation 1870—1912. In today’s market that is about $20 million worth of gold.
* The Julian Historical Society purchased the Washington Mine from Mr. Louis Smith in 1969.
* In 2017 the Julian Historical society started a project to restore and prepare the mine for public viewing.
* In 2023 the Julian Historical Society created an an amphitheater near the artista for group meetings and study.
