In the southwestern corner
of California bordering Mexico,
San Diego was first discovered by Europeans when Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo,
sailing under the flag of Spain, in 1542 passed by the area and named
it San Miguel.
In 1769, Gaspar de Portolá
and his expedition founded a presidio (military outpost)
in 1769.
Franciscan Fathers Junípero
Serra, Juan Viscaino and Fernando Parron raised and blessed a cross,
establishing the first mission in Upper California, Mission San Diego
de Alcala. As Colonists began arriving the Native American people
began an
uprising. Two of the Catholic priests died and the mission was burned
down. Father Serra began organizing the rebuilding of the mission
and an adobe structure was constructed.
After several decades
the once prominent community dwindled to a few hundred inhabitants.
Joining lower California
by railroad to the Eastern US initiated a rebirth of the area begining
in the mid 1880's.
