Julian was founded following the Civil War, when displaced 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 Volcan Mountain and the Cuyamacas to their liking. They were there in 1869 when cattleman Fred Coleman found the first flecks of gold in a creek. It was San Diego County's first and only gold rush.
The town was named Julian, in honor of Mike, who later was elected San Diego County Assessor. The town was never big, at the most boasting a population of about 600---more than reside within the historic district today. Rumor has it that Julian almost became San Diego's county seat.
The gold rush was short-lived, nearly over within a decade. 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. 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.
Historic Sites
Grosskopf House: Replica of original pioneer house, owned by Chris and Annie Grosskopf. Chris worked in the mines as a blacksmith. Adjacent to Julian Pioneer Museum
Julian Cemetery Association: Historic cemetery in the town of Julian. (760) 765-1641, P.O. Box 534, Julian, CA 92036
www.juliancemetery.org
Julian Historical Society Office: A one-room school house which served students from 1888 to 1954 in the Witch Creek community of Highway 78. It was moved to Julian and opened as a library in l974 and is now used by the Julian Historical Society.
2133 Fourth Street
Julian Historic Walking Tour---Map available for self-tour at the Chamber office located at the Town Hall---on the corner of Main & Washington Streets. Plaques placed on historic buildings on Main, Second, Third, Washington, B and C Streets reveal Julian history from Gold Rush times to the 1920s. (760) 765-1857
Julian Jail: The two-cell jail, built in 1914, served as classy overnight accommodations for town drunks. For a time the jail contained the only indoor toilet in Julian. Corner of C and Fourth Streets
Julian Pioneer Cemetery: Contains graves and headstones of many Julian pioneer family members. Farmer Road---Entrance located on A Street
Julian Pioneer Museum: The museum is housed in an old stone building that was once the Mayerhofer Brewery & Treshil Blacksmith Shop. Located at 2811 Washington St., it is 1 block from the Town Hall. Nicknamed, “Julian’s Little Attic” the museum
is a treasure chest of artifacts from our not-too-distant past. (760) 765-0227
Julian Town Hall: The nearly 100-year-old Town Hall displays historic photos upstairs. It houses the Chamber of Commerce office where maps, brochures, books and an informed staff can provide advice on visiting Julian. Town meetings are still held here.
(760) 765-1857, 2129 Main Street
The Old Well: The Old Well houses Julian's original fifty foot deep hand dug well inside of our store front. We specialize in vinyl records and vintage clothing. Drop in today! (760) 527-4014, 2102 3rd Street, P.O. Box 1691, Julian, CA 92036
Email: [email protected], www.theoldwell.net
Spencer Valley School: The existing school house was built in 1906. The original was built in 1876 as a one-room school, but
was either torn down or burned. This unique school (now with more than one room) continues to serve youngsters in the Wynola
area as a single-school district, one of the few remaining in California. (760) 765-0336, 4414 Highway 78/79
UNCOVER THE MYSTERIES OF JULIAN’S HISTORY: Explore the nooks and crannies of Julian’s historic district, learn about local history, and have a chance to win a cash prize when you participate in Julian’s History Hunt. The History Hunt, an ongoing event, sends sleuths throughout the town site of Julian, in search of answers to questions about historic sites, in hopes of winning $50.00. Participants can pick up a History Hunt card at the Julian Chamber of Commerce, located at the Town Hall, 2129 Main St, or at a number of businesses in the historic district. Follow the map on the card to answer questions about sites dating back to 1872. Along the way, visit the 2-cell Julian Jail, the Wilcox-Juch House, the Pioneer Cemetery, or other sites you might not otherwise stumble across. Drop your completed card in the box located on the porch of the Town Hall. Who knows…maybe your card will be selected in the monthly drawing! The Historic Hunt, sponsored by The Julian Chamber of Commerce, is great fun for adults and children alike, and is an on-going, year-around event.
The town was named Julian, in honor of Mike, who later was elected San Diego County Assessor. The town was never big, at the most boasting a population of about 600---more than reside within the historic district today. Rumor has it that Julian almost became San Diego's county seat.
The gold rush was short-lived, nearly over within a decade. 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. 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.
Historic Sites
Grosskopf House: Replica of original pioneer house, owned by Chris and Annie Grosskopf. Chris worked in the mines as a blacksmith. Adjacent to Julian Pioneer Museum
Julian Cemetery Association: Historic cemetery in the town of Julian. (760) 765-1641, P.O. Box 534, Julian, CA 92036
www.juliancemetery.org
Julian Historical Society Office: A one-room school house which served students from 1888 to 1954 in the Witch Creek community of Highway 78. It was moved to Julian and opened as a library in l974 and is now used by the Julian Historical Society.
2133 Fourth Street
Julian Historic Walking Tour---Map available for self-tour at the Chamber office located at the Town Hall---on the corner of Main & Washington Streets. Plaques placed on historic buildings on Main, Second, Third, Washington, B and C Streets reveal Julian history from Gold Rush times to the 1920s. (760) 765-1857
Julian Jail: The two-cell jail, built in 1914, served as classy overnight accommodations for town drunks. For a time the jail contained the only indoor toilet in Julian. Corner of C and Fourth Streets
Julian Pioneer Cemetery: Contains graves and headstones of many Julian pioneer family members. Farmer Road---Entrance located on A Street
Julian Pioneer Museum: The museum is housed in an old stone building that was once the Mayerhofer Brewery & Treshil Blacksmith Shop. Located at 2811 Washington St., it is 1 block from the Town Hall. Nicknamed, “Julian’s Little Attic” the museum
is a treasure chest of artifacts from our not-too-distant past. (760) 765-0227
Julian Town Hall: The nearly 100-year-old Town Hall displays historic photos upstairs. It houses the Chamber of Commerce office where maps, brochures, books and an informed staff can provide advice on visiting Julian. Town meetings are still held here.
(760) 765-1857, 2129 Main Street
The Old Well: The Old Well houses Julian's original fifty foot deep hand dug well inside of our store front. We specialize in vinyl records and vintage clothing. Drop in today! (760) 527-4014, 2102 3rd Street, P.O. Box 1691, Julian, CA 92036
Email: [email protected], www.theoldwell.net
Spencer Valley School: The existing school house was built in 1906. The original was built in 1876 as a one-room school, but
was either torn down or burned. This unique school (now with more than one room) continues to serve youngsters in the Wynola
area as a single-school district, one of the few remaining in California. (760) 765-0336, 4414 Highway 78/79
UNCOVER THE MYSTERIES OF JULIAN’S HISTORY: Explore the nooks and crannies of Julian’s historic district, learn about local history, and have a chance to win a cash prize when you participate in Julian’s History Hunt. The History Hunt, an ongoing event, sends sleuths throughout the town site of Julian, in search of answers to questions about historic sites, in hopes of winning $50.00. Participants can pick up a History Hunt card at the Julian Chamber of Commerce, located at the Town Hall, 2129 Main St, or at a number of businesses in the historic district. Follow the map on the card to answer questions about sites dating back to 1872. Along the way, visit the 2-cell Julian Jail, the Wilcox-Juch House, the Pioneer Cemetery, or other sites you might not otherwise stumble across. Drop your completed card in the box located on the porch of the Town Hall. Who knows…maybe your card will be selected in the monthly drawing! The Historic Hunt, sponsored by The Julian Chamber of Commerce, is great fun for adults and children alike, and is an on-going, year-around event.