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El Cajon, California

Nestled in a broad valley east of San Diego, El Cajon — Spanish for "the box" — is surrounded by mountains on all sides. Once a ranching community, it became a diverse suburban city and is now home to one of the largest Iraqi Chaldean communities in the United States.
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Founded 1869 | Population 106,726 | Peak 106,726 (2024) | County San Diego County

Top 10 Most Important Events for El Cajon, California

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1869Founded: Amaziah Knox became the first American settler in the El Cajon Valley.
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1912Incorporated: El Cajon incorporated as a city, growing from its agricultural roots.
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1961Gillespie Field: Gillespie Field airport became a key general aviation facility for East County San Diego.
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1990Refugee Resettlement: El Cajon became a major resettlement city for Iraqi Chaldean refugees, transforming the city's cultural landscape.
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2010Downtown Revitalization: The city invested in downtown revitalization, adding a performing arts center and mixed-use development.
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Latest News in El Cajon

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Complete Historical Timeline

1869 Culture
Founded
1912 Government
Incorporated
1961 Transport
Gillespie Field
1990 Culture
Refugee Resettlement
2010 Culture
Downtown Revitalization

Did You Know?

1
El Cajon means 'The Box' in Spanish for its box canyon geography.
2
Home to one of the largest Iraqi Chaldean communities in the U.S.
3
Located in an inland valley east of San Diego.
4
El Cajon is located in San Diego County, California.
5
El Cajon was founded in 1869.
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