Palomar Mountain History Resources

PALOMAR MOUNTAIN HISTORY RESOURCES
Peter Brueggeman
email: peterbman(at)gmail.com

selective historical resources pertaining to the history of Palomar Mountain in San Diego County, California.
Website started in 2004

LONGER WORKS

Palomar from Teepee to Telescope
First book on Palomar Mountain history. Topics include Native American history, Joseph Smith, George Doane, Mendenhalls, Frazier sisters, Louis Salmons, Birch Hill, Bailey hotel, schools, lumbering, Esther Hewlett, post offices, mountain lions, bears.
Catherine M. Wood and Peter Brueggeman
Mount Helix, Calif. : Peter Brueggeman, 2023
Edited, corrected & expanded from Catherine M. Wood's original work, which is in the public domain, and was originally published in San Diego by Frye & Smith in 1937.
- PDF
Palomar and the Stars
Second book on Palomar Mountain history. Topics include Indian sites, Joseph Smith, Nate Harrison, George V. Dyche and his son Will Dyche, the Mendenhalls, George Doane, Theodore Bailey, Nellie McQueen, Harry Birch, Ben Lockhart, Clark Cleaver, Alice Lonnon Perkins Hill, Winbert Fink, Frazier sisters, Bill Nelson, Louis and Hodgie Salmons, George Cook, French Valley.
Edward H. Davis
Mount Helix, Calif.: Peter Brueggeman, 2023
Abridged, corrected & expanded from Edward Davis' 1947 memoir, which was originally published in Palomar Mountain Views Volume 1, by Palomar Mountain Views of Palomar Mountain, in 1982.
- PDF
Palomar Mountain : Past and Present
Third book on Palomar Mountain history. Topics include Joseph Smith, Nathan Harrison, Enos Mendenhall, Nellie McQueen, Theodore Bailey, George Doane, William Bougher, Palomar schools.
Marion F. Beckler and Peter Brueggeman
Mount Helix, Calif.: Peter Brueggeman, 2024
Edited, corrected & expanded from Marion F. Beckler's original work, with permission of Stanworth Beckler, which was originally published in Palm Desert, California by Desert Magazine in 1958.
- PDF
Palomar Mountain
Fourth book on Palomar Mountain history with many photographs.
Corrections & Amendments:
- Page 96, STREETS IN AND PAID FOR: Birch Hill subdivision was not marketed as the National Forest Country Club; it was marketed as Campsites by Reid Wallace and others (and the Campsites clubhouse was later called Edgewood Tavern and Skyline Lodge). The National Forest Country Club was a failed enterprise by Jack Roberts and others on the west end of Palomar Mountain located at his property near the State Park.
Brad Bailey
Charleston SC: Arcadia Publishing, 2009
- Available for purchase at the Palomar Mountain Store
- Available at Arcadia Publishing
Elsie's Mountain: Memories of Palomar & Southern California 1897-1987
Diary of Elsie Roberts of Palomar Mountain
Barbara Anne Waite
San Marcos, Calif.: Palomar Mountain Bookworks, 2015
- Amazon Books
My Palomar
Memoir by Robert Haley Asher. Robert Haley Asher was born 28 March 1868, to Josephus Marion Asher who was the first commercial nurseryman in the San Diego area, providing buyers with fruit trees, shrubs, and vines from his Fruit Vale ranch in Paradise Valley, National City. Robert Asher settled on Palomar Mountain in 1903, and ultimately had 160 acres, living in the Pauma Creek / State Park area. Robert Asher also lived off Palomar Mountain part of the year working as a nurseryman. On Palomar, Asher took and sold photographs of summer campers, sold postcards of his photos, trapped animals for pelts, collected and sold wild plants, picked apples, and worked odd jobs. Asher moved off Palomar Mountain in 1946 to his sister Mrs. Josephine A. Vacher’s place on Fuerte Drive in El Cajon, and continued to visit Palomar Mountain until 1951. Asher passed away on 25 April 1953.
Robert Haley Asher. Peter Brueggeman, editor
Mount Helix, Calif.: Peter Brueggeman, 2024
- PDF
Born a Slave, Died a Pioneer: Nathan Harrison and the Historical Archaeology of Legend
Examines the myths and legends of Nate Harrison, and sets him in the historical context of his times. Nate Harrison lived on Nate Harrison Grade on the west side of Palomar Mountain, where Harrison Serenity Ranch is now located.
Seth Mallios
New York: Berghahn Books, 2019
- Amazon Books
George Edwin Doane of Palomar Mountain
George Edwin Doane homesteaded in 1880 in Doane Valley in what is now Palomar Mountain State Park. Doane was a well known and colorful person, married a young wife, and left Palomar Mountain in 1907.
Peter Brueggeman
Mount Helix, Calif.: Peter Brueggeman, 2024
- PDF
Clark Cleaver, Apple King of Palomar Mountain
Clark Cleaver came west in the gold rush and moved onto Palomar Mountain in the late 1880s, living at the road bend outside the State Park. Cleaver farmed and had apple orchards, and was prominent in the community. Newspapers at the time of his death in 1912, called him the "apple king" of the Escondido country which encompassed Palomar Mountain.
Peter Brueggeman
Mount Helix, Calif.: Peter Brueggeman, 2023
- PDF
Esther Parnell Hewlett, Butterfly Queen of Palomar Mountain
Esther Hewlett's family moved to Palomar Mountain outside the east entrance to the State Park in 1913, and Esther started capturing and raising local butterflies and moths for sale to collectors as specimens or in frames, trays, etc. She was known as the "Butterfly Girl" on Palomar Mountain. This grew to become a family business and continued in much greater scale after the family relocated to Upland in 1919. This was the only butterfly farm in the United States, and Esther became known as the "Butterfly Woman," "Butterfly Lady," and "Butterfly Queen." Esther Hewlett was very creative in crochet design, and while she was on Palomar Mountain started selling crochet designs to magazines. Crochet design grew into her main business and though Esther Hewlett died in 1975, she is well known for crochet design to this day.
Peter Brueggeman
Mount Helix, Calif.: Peter Brueggeman, 2023
- PDF
The Fraziers of Palomar Mountain
The Fraziers of Palomar Mountain, James Frazier and his sisters Maria and Elizabeth, lived on Palomar Mountain from about 1891 when James arrived by himself, to 1918 when Maria died and Elizabeth left. They were well known, and active locally. Frazier Point on Palomar Mountain is named after them. The Frazier sisters and Maria in particular became known for their hard work, and the death of Maria Frazier became part of Palomar Mountain legend.
Peter Brueggeman
Mount Helix, Calif.: Peter Brueggeman, 2023
- PDF
Fire on Palomar Mountain
Due to wind, hot weather and topography, Palomar Mountain fires can be challenging. Fire maps on the Internet show Palomar fire history back to 1910; newspaper accounts go back to 1877. Most of Palomar has burned, and undoubtedly all of it has burned reaching back in time.
Peter Brueggeman
Mount Helix, Calif.: Peter Brueggeman, 2024
- PDF
Palomar Mountain logging and lumbering
History of logging and lumbering on Palomar Mountain, starting with the Striplin and Wilhite sawmill in Pedley Valley in the 1890s. Later, Everett Clyde Linthicum ran a sawmill nearby in the Crestline area.
Peter Brueggeman
Mount Helix, Calif.: Peter Brueggeman, 2024
- PDF
Reid Wallace and the Campsites subdivision on Palomar Mountain
History of the Birch Hill / Crestline development on Palomar Mountain, which was known as Campsites. Includes history of the clubhouse/lodge aka Edgewood Tavern and Skyline Lodge.
Peter Brueggeman
Mount Helix, Calif.: Peter Brueggem, 2024
- PDF
Racing Up Palomar Mountain
The first automobile hillclimb competition up Palomar Mountain's Nate Harrison Grade from the gate off Pauma Road to Baileys was in 1912, with a time of 35 minutes. Successive hillclimb runs through 1923 lowered that time to 28 minutes and 39 seconds. After 1924, there are no further newspaper reports on hillclimb runs up Nate Harrison Grade.
Peter Brueggeman
Mount Helix, Calif.: Peter Brueggeman, 2023
- PDF
Louis Salmons of Palomar Mountain
Louis Salmons farmed and ranched in Pauma Valley and then on Palomar Mountain in Dyche Valley and on leased land in Doane Valley. Salmons was a pioneering cattle rancher and active in local affairs.
Peter Brueggeman
Mount Helix, Calif.: Peter Brueggeman, 2023
- PDF
Palomar Mountain Views
- Volume 1 (Palomar Mountain, California: Palomar Mountain Views, September 1982)
  - Edward H. Davis' Palomar Mountain memoir (including Indians; Joseph Smith; Nate Harrison; George V. Dyche; Enos T. Mendenhall; George Doane; Theodore Bailey; Nellie McQueen; Harry Birch; Ben Lockhart; Clark Cleaver; Alice Hill; Winbert Fink; Frazier sisters; Bill Nelson; Louis and Hodgie Salmons; George Cook; French Valley; Iron Springs camping: Palomar Mountain trees and plants; telescope; Francis G. Pease)
  - Palomar Mountain Fire Department history
  - Project Hug-a-tree, Jimmy Beveridge death, February 1981
  - Grizzly bear on Palomar Mountain
  - Forest rangering in the old days: Phil Angel, Nellie Angel
  - Observatory then and now
  - George Doane beard growing contest
  - Artists view the Mountain
  - Luiseno lines
  - Mountain King snake
- Volume 2 (Palomar Mountain, California: Palomar Mountain Views, 1983)
  - Palomar Mountain State Park history
  - Yoga Center, Mother's Kitchen and Store
  - Elsie R.H. Roberts' Palomar memoir
  - LeRoy "Roy" Bonham's 1921 Boy Scout trek to Palomar Mountain
  - Borden Cabin memories, Phoebe Borden. Including Ralph Payne Middlebrook, Camp Comfort rock
  - Palomar Mountain bear account, Otis Kilgore
  - Plane down on Palomar Mountain, Cessna 170B, March 21, 1983
  - Palomar Mountain Volunteer Fire Department, plus 1982 BBQ
  - Observatory, 1982-1983
  - Thelma Samsioe
  - Rodney W. Ballie
  - Pearl Schrader
  - Roy Tillinghast
  - Vic and Kay Butler
  - Mildred Koenig and Skyline Lodge (now known as Lodge on Palomar Mountain, at the end of Crestline Road), including Art Koenig
  - George Doane beard growing contest
  - Palomar photo album at Baileys, 1916
  - Mountain arts, crafts, and prose
- Available for purchase at the Palomar Mountain Store
- Available through Bookfinder.com

WORKS ON NATIVE AMERICANS

Archaeological investigations at Molpa, San Diego County, California
Molpa is a historically known Luiseno village located on the slopes of Palomar Mountain in the Boucher Hill quadrangle at elevation of 2,500 feet. Topics are site features, artifacts, cultural geography, dating, and interpretations and evaluations. With appendix covering archaeological resources in Palomar Mountain State Park, principally summer villages and temporary camps.
Delbert L. True
University of California Publications in Anthropology, Volume 11. Berkeley : University of California Press, 1974.
- PDF: Borrow to read for 1 hour; renewable every hour, pending availability
The Culture of the Luiseno Indians
search the text for Palomar
Philip Stedman Sparkman
University of California Publications in American Archaeology and Ethnology 8(4):187-234, 1908
With Appendix. Plants used by the Luisenos.
- PDF
Luiseno Social Organization
search the text for Palomar
Raymond C. White
University of California Publications in American Archeology and Ethnology 48(2):91-194, 1963
- PDF
The Religion of the Luiseno Indians of Southern California
search the text for Palomar
Constance Goddard DuBois
University of California Publications in American Archaeology and Ethnology 8(3):69-186, 1908
With Appendix I. Games, Arts, and Industries of the Dieguenos and Luisenos, by C. G. DuBois. Appendix II. Notes on the Luisenos, by A.L. Kroeber
- PDF
Handbook of the Indians of California: Luiseno and Cupeno chapters
search the text for Palomar
A. L. Kroeber
Smithsonian Institution Bureau of American Ethnology Bulletin 78, 1925
- PDF
San Luis Rey River Basin: Overview of Cultural Resources
search the text for Palomar
Sue Ann Cupples & Ken Hedges
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, LA District, 1977
- PDF
Common Plants Found in the Territory Exploited by the Villages of Molpa and Cuca
D. L. True, C. W. Meighan, and Harvey Crew
Excerpt from: Archaeological investigations at Molpa, San Diego County, California. University of California publications in anthropology volume 11. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1974
- PDF
Palomar Mountain's High Point and Taakwish Pu'shappila
Eleanor Beemer wrote My Luiseno Neighbors, Excerpts from a Journal Kept in Pauma Valley Northern San Diego County, 1934 to 1974 [Ramona, California: Acoma Books, 1980] about her extensive experiences with the Luiseno people. High Point is the highest peak in the Palomar Mountain range, and the Luiseno knew High Point as a Taakwish Pu'shappila. Taakwish is a devil and a Pu'shappila is a pounding up place where Taakwish ground up his victim's bones.
Peter Brueggeman
Mount Helix, Calif.: Peter Brueggeman, 2010
- PDF
Morgan Hill and Laqalqa
Eleanor Beemer wrote My Luiseno Neighbors, Excerpts from a Journal Kept in Pauma Valley Northern San Diego County, 1934 to 1974 [Ramona, California: Acoma Books, 1980] about her extensive experiences with the Luiseno people. Beemer writes of Laqalqa in the Morgan Hill area of Palomar Mountain, an exposed rock face about five miles beyond upper French Valley, and overlooking Frey and Aqua Tibia canyons. Young Luisenos would come to Laqalqa for a test of manhood and bravery, by trail from Pauma.
Peter Brueggeman
Mount Helix, Calif.: Peter Brueggeman, 2010
- PDF
Field-work among the Mission Indians of California
last Native American house on Palomar
J. P. Harrington
Explorations and Field-Work of the Smithsonian Institution in 1932. Washington DC: Smithsonian Institution, 1933. pp. 85-88
- PDF
Fire on the Mountain: Archaeology in Palomar Mountain State Park before and after the 2007 Witch/Poomacha fires, San Diego County, California
Arleen Garcia-Herbst
Proceedings of the Society for California Archaeology, Volume 23, 2009
- PDF

NATHAN “NATE” HARRISON
HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY PROJECT

Nathan Harrison: Born Enslaved, Died a San Diego Legend
- Virtual Exhibit. San Diego History Center, 3/2021
- Virtual Exhibit Opening & Tour. San Diego History Center and Seth Mallios presentation. San Diego History Center, 3/18/2021
- How Archaeology Helped Reveal The Personal Life Of Nathan Harrison. Beth Accomando. KPBS, 3/23/2021
- The Most Important Story to Tell. SDSU Alumni, 3/2021
Seth Mallios' archaeological work at Nate Harrison cabin site: "The writers of history can make up anything they want, but old garbage doesn't lie."
- Archaeology team digs up answers to old questions on Nathan Harrison, San Diego's first Black homesteader. Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union Tribune, 24 October 2021
- Archaeologist finds camp of San Diego's first Black homesteader. CBS 8 San Diego, June 16, 2021
- The Amazing True Story of Nathan Harrison. Daniel Weiss. Archaeology, March/April 2021
- Nathan Harrison: Discovering the Man behind the Legend. video of talk given on 10/10/2020 for the San Diego History Center (starts at 10:00)
- Why Nathan Harrison Was and Is Important.. The Journal of San Diego History. Volume 66, Number 1, pp. 1-12
- Historical Photography and its Impacts on the Life and Legends of Nathan Harrison.. The Journal of San Diego History. Volume 66, Number 1, pp. 27-40
- An Archaeology of Space and Everyday Life at Palomar Mountain’s Nathan Harrison Site.. The Journal of San Diego History. Volume 66, Number 1, pp. 41-60
- San Diego County Pioneer Nathan 'Nate' Harrison and the Historical Archaeology of Legend. video of talk given on 7/28/2020 for the San Diego County Archaeological Society.
- The Implications of Food Preservation at the Nathan Harrison Site. Haley Alexander and Seth Mallios, Proceedings of the Society for California Archaeology 34:155-160, 2020
- "Born a Slave, Died a Pioneer", the Nathan Harrison Story with Dr. Seth Mallios. Audio, The Archeology Show, episode 77, 2019
- Born a Slave, Died a Pioneer: Nathan Harrison and the Historical Archaeology of Legend. Seth Mallios. 1st edition. New York: Berghahn Books, 2019
- Digging deep: uncovering the history of Nate Harrison with Dr Seth Mallios. Audio. On the edge with April Mahoney, Blog Talk Radio, 9 October 2017
- Archaeological Myth Busting at Palomar Mountain's Nate Harrison Site. Seth Mallios. Save Our Heritage Organization, volume 42, 2011
- Scientific Excavations at Palomar Mountain's Nate Harrison Site: The Historical Archaeology of a Legendary African-American Pioneer. Journal of San Diego History 55(3):141-160, Summer 2009
- The Archaeology of Nate Harrison: Legends and Legacies of an African-American Pioneer in San Diego County. SDSU Library exhibit, 2008
- SDSU Archaeological Excavations Unravel Historical Myths on Palomar Mountain. Gina Speciale, SDSU NewsCenter, 2007
- Preliminary Excavations at the Nate Harrison Site. Seth Mallios and Sarah Stroud. Proceedings of the Society for California Archaeology 19:71-74, 2006

SHORTER WORKS

The Murder of Joseph Smith of Palomar Mountain
From 1869ish until 1901, Palomar Mountain was known as Smith or Smith's Mountain, named after Joseph Smith. Smith was the first Anglo settler on Palomar Mountain, having a ranch in Dyche Valley on the east side of Palomar mountain range, where he had sheep and cattle and farmed grains. Well known in San Diego county, Smith was murdered in 1868 by a hired hand, who was tracked down and lynched.
Peter Brueggeman
Mount Helix, Calif.: Peter Brueggeman, 2023
- PDF
Nellie McQueen, Harriet Jessee, and the early history of the post offices of Palomar Mountain
The first post office on Palomar Mountain, as well as its postmark, was “Nellie” from 1883 to 1920… who was Nellie? Angus McQueen and his daughter Ellen “Nellie” McQueen moved to Palomar Mountain by 1882. It was a long ride to Warner's Station for supplies and mail, and whoever happened to be going, got the mail for everyone. Nellie McQueen wrote to the U.S. Post Master General, asking for a post office on Palomar, offering herself as postmaster. She suggested the name "Fern Glen" for the post office, and got her postal contract on April 2, 1883. However the U.S. Postal Service turned down the name "Fern Glen" and to her chagrin, gave the post office her name: "Nellie." The Nellie post office on Palomar Mountain was first located in Dyche Valley on the eastern side of Palomar. After it relocated to Bailey's, a second postoffice on Palomar Mountain was established, named Jessee, after William W. Jessee, a minister homesteading land on the east side of Palomar Mountain.
Peter Brueggeman
Mount Helix, Calif.: Peter Brueggeman, 2023
- PDF
George V. Dyche of Palomar Mountain
The east road up Palomar Mountain from Lake Henshaw passes through a large grassy valley, ... Dyche Valley, which is named after George Dyche who lived there from 1869 to 1892. Previously Dyche had lived at the rincon of Warners Ranch, working for John Rains of Rancho Cucamonga, who ran cattle at Warners Ranch. After Rains' murder, Dyche purchased Joseph Smith's land on Palomar after Smith's murder (and participated in the lynching of Smith's murderer). Dyche homesteaded and purchased more land on Palomar to add to his holdings. George and his wife Mary had four children, and were well known locally. In 1892, Dyche and family moved off Palomar to nearby Mesa Grande.
Peter Brueggeman
Mount Helix, Calif.: Peter Brueggeman, 2024
- PDF
Apples on Palomar Mountain
Before 1890, apple trees were planted on Palomar Mountain aka Smith Mountain, with the first crop harvested in 1890. Many varieties were subsequently planted & harvested over the years; production was considerable though not up to the levels of Julian & Wynola. Before automotive tranport, transport to sale in Escondido was arduous given the steep & rough roads.
Peter Brueggeman
Mount Helix, Calif.: Peter Brueggeman, 2024
- PDF
Hotel Palomar on Palomar Mountain
Hotel Palomar was located at what is now the Silvercrest picnic area in Palomar Mountain State Park, with a spectacular view overlooking San Diego County. In 1902, Bertrand R. Douglass and his wife Lillie May Johnston Douglass purchased 160 acres there, and the Douglass' opened a summer resort known as Hotel Palomar. They ran the resort along with Marion Smith, who ran a four horse stage two trips a week to Escondido, which would bring customers to the resort. The Douglass' sold the hotel and land in 1907 to the Ed Fletcher and Frank A. Salmons syndicate, and the Hotel Palomar was then run by the Bailey brothers in conjunction with their hotel and campground located nearby at Baileys. In 1913, it was reopened as Camp Silvercrest, and then in 1920 it was reopened as Planwydd run by Jack and Elsie Roberts, later aiming to become the membership-based National Forest Country Club in 1924, which failed.
Peter Brueggeman
Mount Helix, Calif.: Peter Brueggeman, 2023
- PDF
Ski Palomar Mountain
A ski resort on Palomar Mountain opened in the winter of 1966/1967, and closed the following season. In May 1966, a San Diego County special use permit was granted to Charles Darby for a ski resort on an eighty acre site owned by Carl (Wog) Bergman, on the west side of the S6 road at the 5,200 foot level about a mile and a quarter north of the post office, and four miles from the Observatory. The temperatures were often too high for making snow, and snow falls were not numerous.
Peter Brueggeman
Mount Helix, Calif.: Peter Brueggeman, 2022
- PDF
- YouTube: CBS TV Channel 8 film on Ski Palomar Mountain, broadcast on 24 December 1966: script in the YouTube video's description
Winbert Fink of Palomar Mountain
Winbert Clarence Fink lived in the Will Valley area on the east side of Palomar Mountain for thirty-seven years … a long stretch compared to other early residents of Palomar Mountain. About him, Robert Asher said: ""Little Fink" was a fixture on the mountain when I first arrived [in 1903]. His place was on the extreme easterly end of the mountain, a short distance from Will Cook Valley. He had a several-roomed cabin and a good sized barn. Winbert Fink ... had lost his health and reports had it that he was just about on his last legs when he landed on Palomar and took up his homestead. However that may be, Fink was with us for many years and was able to accomplish much more than most of the men who took up lands on Palomar about that time. ... Then, too, he built a fairly good road all the way up from Warner’s Ranch all by himself. Anyone having knowledge of the cost of the county-built road up from Henshaw Dam would know that this one thing would mark Fink as a remarkable man."
Peter Brueggeman
Mount Helix, Calif.: Peter Brueggeman, 2024
- PDF
Outlaws and Fugitives on Palomar Mountain
Newspaper accounts of rustlers, thieves, outlaws, and fugitives passing through and hiding out on Palomar Mountain.
Peter Brueggeman
Mount Helix, Calif.: Peter Brueggeman, 2024
- PDF
Birch Hill on Palomar Mountain
Birch Hill on Palomar Mountain is named after Englishmen Henry Clarkson Birch and his younger brother Arthur Clarkson Birch, who lived there from 1891 to 1893. The Englishmen made such an impression on local residents that the hill where they lived became known as Birch Hill.
Peter Brueggeman
Mount Helix, Calif.: Peter Brueggeman, 2022
- PDF
Pedley Valley and Darby's Palomar Mountain Resort
Charles Darby was a home builder living in La Jolla and wanted mountain property that had snowfalls to enjoy; he bought the upper 40 acres of Pedley Valley in 1951 or 1952 (that area was called Old Bull Pasture). Darby built four cabins and opened Darby's Palomar Mountain Resort. The Darbys continued living in La Jolla, and spent most weekends and holidays at their property, renting cabins to visitors; the property was purchased for their enjoyment and not intended as a business endeavor. The Darbys sold the property in 1967 to three doctors from San Diego, and the pond there is now known as Doctors Pond.
Robin Howell and Peter Brueggeman
Mount Helix, Calif.: Peter Brueggeman, 2020
- PDF
Thompson’s Summit Grove of Palomar Mountain
In 1947, Wayne Thompson and his brother Russell Thompson along with Russell's wife Noreen started Thompson's Summit Grove on Palomar Mountain, located at the intersection of Highway S6 and State Park Road. The business grew to encompass a gas station, store, snack bar, and then a restaurant. Russell and Noreen Thompson's share of the business was sold to Carl Henry 'Wog' Bergman. Wayne Thompson met his future wife Shirley there and she became part of the business. Wayne and Shirley Thompson along with then co-owners Ralph and Lelia Kulk sold the business in 1977.
Peter Brueggeman
Mount Helix, Calif.: Peter Brueggeman, 2024
- PDF
Shirley Thompson speaking on Thompson's Summit Grove of Palomar Mountain
Audio of interview of Shirley Thompson about Thompson's Summit Grove on Palomar Mountain, a service station and snack bar run by her and her husband Wayne Thompson, located at the intersection of Highway S6 and State Park Road.
Audio of Shirley Thompson interview by Peter Brueggeman, 2006
- MP3
Nathan Harrison: in the words of those who spent some time with him
From the late 1880s to 1919, Nathan Harrison lived on the west side of Palomar Mountain, on the west road up the mountain now named after him, Nate Harrison Grade. Harrison lived at a Pauma Indian summer camp site called To-ko-ma where there was a spring, located well up their trail up the west side of Palomar Mountain. Harrison became an attraction and celebrity for Palomar Mountain visitors, appearing in many photos. The outline of his life is well sorted out in Seth Mallios’ book Born a Slave, Died a Pioneer: Nathan Harrison and the Historical Archaeology of Legend. The focus of this work is substantial remembrances of and conversations with him. Excluded are brief mentions of him, or interviews that mostly tell Harrison’s history.
Peter Brueggeman
Mount Helix, Calif.: Peter Brueggeman, 2024
- PDF
Nate Harrison's "Cabin Collection"
From the late 1880s to 1919, Nate Harrison lived on the west side of Palomar Mountain, high up on the west road up the mountain now named after him, Nate Harrison Grade. After he died, these materials were found in his cabin by neighbor(s). Subsequently they have been called the “cabin collection" in Seth Mallios’ book Born a Slave, Died a Pioneer: Nathan Harrison and the Historical Archaeology of Legend.
Peter Brueggeman
Mount Helix, Calif.: Peter Brueggeman, 2024
- PDF
Uncle Nate of Palomar
article on Nate Harrison
Touring Topics 23(10):22-25, October 1931
- PDF
Palomar Pioneers
Two articles on Nate Harrison, Joseph Beresford, and the Frazier Sisters
Jeff Smith
San Diego Reader, May 26 and June 2, 2010
- PDF
Camping in [Palomar Mountain] California
Henry Bond Restarick writes about his family's annual Palomar Mountain camping trips which started in 1896.
Henry Bond Restarick
Chapter from: My Personal Recollections, the unfinished memoirs of Henry Bond Restarick, Bishop of Honolulu, 1902-1920. Honolulu: Paradise of the Pacific Press, 1938
- PDF
Marion Beckler's Palomar Mountain Memoir
Memoir about teaching at the Palomar Mountain school, a Palomar Mountain childhood trip in 1900, and some local history
Marion Beckler
c1961. Edited by Peter Brueggeman, 2022
- PDF
Gordon Stuart on Palomar Mountain
In 1904, Gordon Stuart stayed for a month at Samuel Striplin's place in Pedley Valley on Palomar Mountain, and writes about Samuel Striplin, camping there, and the people he met, including George Doane, Clark Cleaver, and Bill Nelson.
Peter Brueggeman
Mount Helix, Calif.: Peter Brueggeman, 2023
- PDF
Ed Fletcher and Palomar Mountain
Ed Fletcher of San Diego and his involvement with Palomar Mountain
Peter Brueggeman
Mount Helix, Calif.: Peter Brueggeman, 2022
- PDF
History of Palomar Mountain As Remembered by Hank and Florance Saddler
Henry William Saddler (1909-1987) and Florance Abby Butts (1898-1990). Married 1920. Hank and Florance Saddler were the first permanent or year-round park employees at Palomar Mountain State Park, from July 1, 1940 to April 24, 1948 (with a gap for military service from January 16, 1943 to November 30, 1945). The Saddlers write about his first trips to Palomar Mountain, starting and running the Palomar Mountain State Park, constructing a prison honor camp, building a reservoir in upper Doane Valley, the Park's apple trees and varieties, Robert Asher, Alice Hill, native American acorn gathering, and other topics.
Hank and Florance Saddler
Undated typescript
- PDF
Armchair Tour of Palomar
Palomar Mountain history written by the students of Palomar Mountain School in 1965, covering the Observatory, schools, Gus Weber, French Valley, Mendenhalls, post offices, Skyline Lodge, valleys of eastern Palomar Mountain, Baileys, William Bougher, High Point, Nathan Harrison, George Doane. Includes maps.
Students of Palomar Mountain School
Palomar Mountain School, 1965
- PDF
The Hermit
Essay on George Doane, with Robert Asher photographs
Ethel Griffith Bailey
The Overland Monthly 52:363-368, July-December 1908
- PDF
Butterflies for a Hobby
The Hewlett family left Palomar Mountain and moved to Upland, California, where Esther Parnell Hewlett's butterfly collecting and sales became a family enterprise. Esther Hewlett published a booklet on it.
Esther Parnell Hewlett
Upland, California: Butterfly Art Shop, 1945
- PDF
Native Plants of Palomar
Catherine M. Wood
Excerpt from "Palomar from Teepee to Telescope," published in San Diego by Frye & Smith in 1937.
- PDF
The Hidden Cabin, a Pathetic Story in Condensed Form
Not a history; this is a long poem set at Palomar Mountain
David W. Edwards
Los Angeles: Commercial Printing House, 1909
- PDF
Palomar Mountain excerpt from: Out of Doors, California and Oregon
JA Graves
Los Angeles: Grafton Publishing Co. 1912. pp. 3-8, plates
- PDF
What Do You Do on Top of Mount Palomar?
Motorcycle ride to Palomar Mountain by the Quaff Barrel bar in Riverside
Choppers 8(11):20-25, November 1975
- PDF
State Building Highway Link to Site of 200-inch Telescope on Palomar Peak
includes map of planned route, and photos of the 1936 state of the road and the contractors' camp
E. E. Wallace
California Highway and Public Works, April 1936. pp. 2-5
- PDF
Big Eye on Palomar
Greyhound Lines travel magazine article on Palomar Mountain
The Highway Traveler 21(1):14-15,48, February-March 1949
- PDF
San Diego History Center
- Palomar, After 50 Years ... about the telescope. Ronald Florence. The Journal of San Diego History 44(4), Fall 1998
- Palomar's Friendly Hermit ... about Nate Harrison. Laura M. James. The Journal of San Diego History 4(1), January 1958
Bailey's
- Bailey's on Palomar, Our History
- More Hours in My Day Soup - Terri Bailey on Big Blend Radio: Terri Bailey discussing the history of the Bailey family and Bailey's Palomar Resort. Terri shares Hodgie Bailey's "More Hours In My Day Soup" recipe (c.1920). Audio, October 20, 2018
- Bailey's Apple Pie Filling Or Preserves: Terri Bailey on the Bell's apples at Bailey's, and cooking with them. Video, September 10, 2013.
Historical Information, Bonnie Phelps
Forest Fire Lookout Association San Diego-Riverside Chapter:
Boucher Hill and High Point lookouts
History of Palomar Observatory
CalTech

ROBERT HALEY ASHER
MEMOIRS, DIARIES, PAINTINGS, MISCELLANEOUS

Robert Haley Asher was born 28 March 1868, to Josephus Marion Asher who was the first commercial nurseryman in the San Diego area, providing buyers with fruit trees, shrubs, and vines from his Fruit Vale ranch in Paradise Valley, National City. Robert Asher settled on Palomar Mountain in 1903, and ultimately had 160 acres, living in the Pauma Creek / State Park area. Robert Asher also lived off Palomar Mountain part of the year working as a nurseryman. On Palomar, Asher took and sold photographs of summer campers, sold postcards of his photos, trapped animals for pelts, collected and sold wild plants, picked apples, and worked odd jobs. Asher moved off Palomar Mountain in 1946 to his sister Mrs. Josephine A. Vacher’s place on Fuerte Drive in El Cajon, and continued to visit Palomar Mountain until 1951. Asher passed away on 25 April 1953.

My Palomar: Asher's memoir of Palomar Mountain
Robert Haley Asher Paintings: Asher took a Maurice Braun class in oil painting at Mesa Grande, and painted in a variety of locations around Palomar Mountain.
1894-95 Retail Price-List of Bulbs, Seeds and Plants. Offered by Robert H. Asher, La Mesa, Calif.: Before he moved onto Palomar Mountain, Asher was a nursery man like his father.
1901 memoir
Associated Campers of California, 1902
1903 Diary
1903 memoir
1903 Trip To San Jacinto Peak
Friend Donaldson, Yellow Jackets!, 1903
The Lady Reporter Loses Out, 1903
1904 Diary
1905 Diary
1905 memoir
1906 Diary
Plant Collecting Stories
A San Diego Mystery (A Ballade): poem by Robert Asher. Excerpt from: Exposition Memories, Panama-California Exposition, San Diego, 1916. George Wharton James. Pasadena, California: Radiant Life Press, 1917
1919-1920 Diary
December 24, 1932 to November 12, 1933 Diary
December 24, 1932 to July 18, 1933 Diary
July 19 to December 12, 1933 Diary
October 20, 1933 to September 12, 1934 Diary
November 18, 1933 to May 10, 1936 Diary
June 26, 1935 to May 26, 1936 Diary
June 23 to September 27, 1941 Diary
August 12 to September 27, 1941 Diary
Memoranda (on) the Palomar Baptist Camp, August 5, 1947
February 1, 1948 to July 28, 1949 (plus 1951) Diary

FILM / VIDEO

The Virginian
1914 Cecil B. DeMille film had several scenes shot on Palomar Mountain, including this scene at George Doane's abandoned cabin in Doane Valley, in what is now the State Park.
- YouTube
Ski Palomar Mountain
CBS TV Channel 8 film on the Palomar Mountain ski operation, broadcast on 24 December 1966. The film script is in its YouTube description.
- YouTube
- PDF: history of Ski Palomar Mountain
The Crater Lake Monster
The Crater Lake Monster, a 1977 Crown International Pictures film, was shot at several Palomar Mountain locations and at San Vicente Reservoir. The Palomar Mountain film locations include: the Sasway cabin, on the west side of lower Crestline Road just up the road beyond the fire station; along Road S6; and the Summit Grove gas station and restaurant). The Palomar cabin of Joseph Sasway was used in film scenes, and Sasway played Ferguson in the film. Joseph Sasway taught theater at Mira Costa College in Oceanside, and led in establishing its theater department, and getting a theater built on campus. Cast/crew stayed at Skyline Lodge at the end of Crestline Road. In film publicity, special thanks were given to several people including Oliver Brown of Skyline Lodge, Bev and Ralph Kulk of Summit Grove, and Carl Bergman. Directed by William R. Stromberg. Written by Richard Cardella and William R. Stromberg. Produced by William R. Stromberg.
- Palomar Mountain and the Crater Lake Monster
  Peter Brueggeman
  Mount Helix, Calif. : Peter Brueggeman, 2021
- Richard Cardella photos
- Movie trailer: YouTube
Black Marigolds
2013 film shot at a Palomar Mountain cabin.
- Trailer
- Behind the Scences, including Palomar cabin
The Observatory appears in films, like Invaders from Mars (1953), When Worlds Collide (1951), Rocketship X-M (1950)
The Observatory appears in documentaries like Chariots of the Gods (1970)

BROCHURES

Campo Contento
Baileys on Bailey Meadow Road.
Card, 1907. $2.00 tent & board per day
- PDF
Palomar Mountain
Covers Campo Contento (Baileys) and Hotel Palomar (owned by Smith & Son).
Brochure, 1907
- PDF
Palomar Mountain
Covers Camp Contento (Baileys) and Hotel Palomar (managed by Milton Bailey).
Brochure, [1910. Enclosed with 28 May 1910 letter from Milton Bailey]. $10-$12 bedroom tent per week
- PDF
Palomar Mountain Hotel
aka Baileys.
Brochure, c1916. $2.25 double tent & board per day. Circa year using an inflation calculator comparing to 1921 $3.50 rate for same.
- PDF
Palomar Mountain Hotel
aka Baileys.
Brochure, c1917. $2.50 double tent & board per day. Circa year using an inflation calculator comparing to 1921 $3.50 rate for same.
- PDF
Palomar Mountain Hotel
aka Baileys.
Brochure, c1918. $3.00 double tent & board per day. Circa year using an inflation calculator comparing to 1921 $3.50 rate for same.
- PDF
Palomar Mountain Hotel
aka Baileys.
Brochure, 1921. $3.50 double tent & board per day. Brochure mentions East Grade road construction from Lake Henshaw expecting its conclusion by 1922.
- PDF
Palomar Mountain, Camp Site & Club House
Associated with Reid Wallace's Camp Sites development on Palomar Mountain (Crestline/Birch Hill area), which started in 1921
Brochure, c1921+
- PDF
Palomar Mountain Club
Associated with Reid Wallace's Camp Sites development on Palomar Mountain (Crestline/Birch Hill area), which started in 1921
Brochure, c1921+
- PDF
Planwydd
Associated with Jack and Elsie Roberts.
Brochure, 1920-1923
- PDF
Planwydd
Associated with Jack and Elsie Roberts.
Card, 1920-1923
- JPG
National Forest Country Club
Membership sales office in Los Angeles. Associated with Jack Roberts.
Brochure, c1924
- PDF
San Diego Mountain Resorts
includes Palomar Lodge aka Baileys.
Brochure, San Diego Mountain Resorts Association, 1926
- PDF
Palomar Lodge
aka Baileys.
Brochure, undated with handwritten note dated 17 June 1928. $4.00 double tent & board per day in 1928. Mentions recently completed grade from Henshaw Dam.
- PDF
Program, First Day of issue of the Commemorative Stamp Celebrating the Opening of the Palomar Observatory
signed by Adalind Bailey, postmaster
Palomar Mountain, California: August 30, 1948 brochure. The Hale telescope was dedicated before it began operation in 1949.
- PDF
Palomar Lodge
aka Baileys.
Brochure. c1950. Text refers to telescope being an attraction; the Hale telescope began operation in 1949.
- PDF
Palomar Observatory Tour
Has advertisements for Palomar's Summit Grove Service Station (located at what is now Mother's Kitchen at the junction) and Skyline View Ranch (now known as Lodge on Palomar Mountain, at the end of Crestline Road)
Palomar Mountain Stages bus tour brochure, undated. c1950. Bus schedule dates from June 1946
- PDF
Stately Palomar and the Mightiest of Observatories
1951 Escondido Chamber of Commerce brochure
- PDF
Palomar Mountain State Park
State of California, Division of Beaches and Parks. Brochure, 1957
- PDF
Welcome to the Dedication of the Kitchen-Dining Hall, Palomar Mountain Camp
Brochure, November 19, 1958
- PDF
Outdoor Education Program
Superintendent of Schools, Department of Education, San Diego County. Brochure, circa 1970
- PDF
Palomar Mountain State Park
State of California, Department of Parks and Recreation. Brochure, 1970s
- PDF

PHOTOGRAPHS, POSTCARDS, SOUVENIRS, MATCHBOOKS, SHEET MUSIC

Palomar Mountain Vintage Photographs
Held by Peter Brueggeman, 2023
- PDF
Palomar Mountain Stereographs
Stereographs aka stereo cards are two photographic prints mounted on card stock to be viewed through a stereoscope, producing a three dimensional view. Stereographs were a popular photographic medium, reaching a peak in the years 1902-1935. Stereoscopic pictures are almost identical, taken from slightly different angles.
Held by Peter Brueggeman, 2022
- PDF
Wieslander Vegetation Type Map Survey, 1930-1931, photographs
UC Berkeley Library photos from 1930 & 1931, compiled by Peter Brueggeman
- PDF
Palomar Mountain Postcards
Compiled from eBay or other sources, or held by Peter Brueggeman. 2023
- PDF
Palomar Mountain, 15 Historic Postcards
Brad Bailey. Charleston SC: Arcadia Publishing, 2009
- Available via BookFinder.com
Palomar Mountain Souvenirs
Compiled from eBay or other sources, or held by Peter Brueggeman. 2023
- PDF
Thompsons Summit Grove
Matchbook. Located at what is now Mother's Kitchen at the junction.
Undated
- PDF
Rincon Springs, On the Highway to the Stars
Matchbook. Located on Highway 76.
Undated
- PDF
When it's June on Palomar
Sheet music
Words and music by Alice B. Tillinghast, 1925 (in the public domain)
- PDF

MAPS

1844: Pauma or Potreros de Paoma Rancho map
Disenos Collection California State Archives
- JPG
1845: La Huga or La Jolla Rancho map
Disenos Collection California State Archives
- JPG
1846: Diseno de la Sierra de Camojal y del Palomar map
J. J. Warner. U.S. District Court (California, Southern District). Land case 358 SD, page 104; land case map D-1406 Online Archive of California
- JPG
1880: U.S. survey map: Township 10S, Range 2E
Shows location of George Dyche and W. Armstrong.
Township 10S, Range 2E, San Bernardino Meridian [map]. U.S. Surveyor General's Office, 1880
- JPG: Key to Palomar Mountain's township, range, and section numbering
- JPG 1880 U.S. survey map: Township 10S, Range 2E
1884: U.S. survey map: Township 9S, Range 1E
Shows location of George Doane's two houses, and J.B. and H. Fousset (Foussat).
Township 9S, Range 1E, San Bernardino Meridian [map]. U.S. Surveyor General's Office, 1884
- JPG: Key to Palomar Mountain's township, range, and section numbering
- JPG: 1884 U.S. survey map: Township 9S, Range 1E
1885: U.S. survey map: Township 10S, Range 1E
Southern edge of Palomar Mountain range in middle.
Township 10S, Range 1E, San Bernardino Meridian [map]. U.S. Surveyor General's Office, 1885
- JPG: Key to Palomar Mountain's township, range, and section numbering
- JPG: 1885 U.S. survey map: Township 10S, Range 1E
1886: U.S. survey map: Township 10S, Range 1E
Southern edge of Palomar Mountain range in middle.
Township 10S, Range 1E, San Bernardino Meridian [map]. U.S. Surveyor General's Office, 1886
- JPG: Key to Palomar Mountain's township, range, and section numbering
- JPG: 1886 U.S. survey map: Township 10S, Range 1E
1886: U.S. survey map: Township 10S, Range 1W
Pauma Creek flowing out of Palomar Mountain range at upper right.
Township 10S, Range 1W, San Bernardino Meridian [map]. U.S. Surveyor General's Office, 1886
- JPG: Key to Palomar Mountain's township, range, and section numbering
- JPG: 1886 U.S. survey map: Township 10S, Range 1W
1886: Palomar Mountain area cropped from: Sketch Map of San Diego County
California State Mining Bureau, 6th Report
- JPG
1890: Palomar Mountain area cropped from: Official map of San Diego County, California: compiled from latest official maps of U.S. surveys, railroad and irrigation surveys, county records, and other reliable sources
Published in 1890 but the map data predates that by perhaps a year. Shows locations of (Angus & Nellie) McQueen, (George) Dyche, Cook, Seaburn (Ambrose & Eliza Seburn), Armstrong, (George) Doane, J.B. and H. Fousset (Foussat), Harris (Nate Harrison)
Thomas Dykes Beasley, 1890
- JPG
1892: U.S. survey map: Township 10S, Range 1W
Pauma Creek flowing out of Palomar Mountain range at upper right.
Township 10S, Range 1W, San Bernardino Meridian [map]. U.S. Surveyor General's Office, 1892
- JPG: Key to Palomar Mountain's township, range, and section numbering
- JPG: 1892 U.S. survey map: Township 10S, Range 1W
1892: Palomar Mountain area cropped from: San Diego and Part of San Bernardino Counties
George F. Cram, The Pacific Coast and World Atlas. Rand McNally & Company: Chicago, 1892.
- JPG
1894: Survey map of Sections 10, 11 + 14, Township 10S, Range 1E
Shows land owned by Davis and Williams, Bailey, and Striplin and Willhite. Shows locations of Striplin and Willhite sawmill and boarding house, and cabins
Map of partial subdivision of sections 10, 11 + 14, of Township 10 South, Range One East, San Bernardino Meridian, - being the land owned by Davis and Williams, and Striplin and Willhite. As surveyd by me October 24th and 25th 1894. S. L. Ward, licensed Surveyor
- JPG
1895: U.S. survey map: Township 9S, Range 2E
Oak Grove in middle left.
Township 9S, Range 2E, San Bernardino Meridian [map]. U.S. Surveyor General's Office, 1895
- JPG: Key to Palomar Mountain's township, range, and section numbering
- JPG: 1895 U.S. survey map: Township 9S, Range 2E
c1900: Palomar Mountain area cropped from: Official map of San Diego County, California
Shows locations of the Palomar Mountain schools at Malava (started 1870), Palomar (started 1891), & Cedar Grove (started 1898).
Irving A. Hubon. San Diego, California: Published by Edward M. Burbeck, c1900
- JPG
1900-1901: Palomar Mountain area cropped from: Ramona Quadrangle
Shows Nellie and Jessee postoffice locations. Shows Nate Harrison Grade. Shows South Slide road, later called Mail Trail, and replaced by Highway S6.
Surveyed in 1900-1901. U.S. Geological Survey, 1903
- JPG
1904: Palomar Mountain area cropped from: Southern California Sheet No. 2
U.S. Geological Survey, 1904
- JPG
1911: Automobile Road map, San Diego County
Albert G. Thurston. Security Trust and Savings Bank, Los Angeles
- PDF
1912: San Diego and Imperial Counties Road Map
Albert G. Thurston. U.S. National Bank, 1912
- PDF
1912: Plat book of San Diego County, California
Shows names of land owners
William E. Alexander. Los Angeles : Pacific Plat Book Co., [1912?] Available Online
- JPG: Key to Palomar Mountain's township, range, and section numbering
- JPG:Township 9S R1W, page 82
- JPG:Township 9S R1E, page 88
- JPG:Township 9S R2E, page 89
- JPG:Township 10S R1W, page 90
- JPG:Township 10S R1E, page 91
- JPG:Township 10S R2E, page 92
- JPG:Township 11S R2E, page 103
1914: Palomar Mountain area cropped from: Map of San Diego County California
San Diego: Rodney Stokes Company, 1914
- JPG
1915: Palomar Mountain area cropped from: Automobile Road Map Touring, San Diego County, California
Automobile Club of Southern California, 1915
- JPG
1919: Palomar Mountain area cropped from: Automobile Road Map Touring, San Diego County, California
Automobile Club of Southern California, 1919
- JPG
1920: Palomar Mountain area cropped from: Automobile Road Map Touring, San Diego County, California
Automobile Club of Southern California, 1920
- JPG
1921: U.S. survey map: Township 9S, Range 1W
Pauma Creek flowing out of Palomar Mountain range at lower right.
Township 9S, Range 1W, San Bernardino Meridian [map]. U.S. Surveyor General's Office, 1921
- JPG: Key to Palomar Mountain's township, range, and section numbering
- JPG: 1921 U.S. survey map: Township 9S, Range 1W
1921: Palomar Mountain
Old Saw Mill and Springs is Pedley Valley. Booker Hill is Boucher Hill. Mail Trail is the old South Grade, which was replaced by Highway S6.
Palomar Mountain Good Roads Association, 1921
- JPG
1925: Palomar Mountain area cropped from: Native sites in part of southern California
Shows locations of Native American sites (placenames taken from Sparkman, Culture of the Luiseno Indians): Awa' / Aguanga; Malamai / Agua Tibia; Yami / Site of Potrero ranch house (Cuca Ranch) / Ta'i / Peak of Palomar, near Bougher's; Wikyo / Highest Peak of Palomar Mountain; Takwish poshapila / Rocky Peak East of Wikyo; Paauw / Palomar Mountain; Kuka / Old Potrero village; Ahuya / Old village site above Rincon on road to Potrero; Pashkwo / Monkey Hill, San Jose valley; Paisvi / Iron Spring on Palomar; Wavam / Pauma Indian encampment during acorn-gathering season on Palomar; Shoau / Pala Indian encampment during acorn-gathering season on Palomar; Shautushma / Yapicha Indian encampment during acorn-gathering season on Palomar; Pavla / Indians of Kuka or Potrero encamped while gathering acorns on Palomar; Old village sites on Palomar / Malava, Wiya', Chakuli, Ashachakwo, Pahamuk, Tokamai, Mokwonmai; Springs on east side of Palomar / Pakuka, Atupa.
Plate 57, Map, Native sites in part of southern California. Handbook of the Indians of California. A. L. Kroeber. Smithsonian Institution Bureau of American Ethnology Bulletin 78. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1925
- JPG
1926: Palomar Mountain area cropped from: San Diego Mountain Resorts
Shows location of Palomar Lodge
San Diego Mountain Resorts. San Diego Mountain Resorts Association, 1926. brochure
- JPG
1928: F. G. Pease, His Map, Aug. 15, 1928
Shows locations of William Beach, the Hill's, George Doane, Planwydd, Bailey's Hotel.
Francis G. Pease, California Institute of Technology, 1928. From: Palomar Mountain Views, Volume 1. Sept. 1982. page 66
- JPG
1934: Palomar Mountain area cropped from: Highway Transportation Survey of 1934, San Diego County
State of California Department of Public Works, Division of Highways, 1934
- JPG
1937: Palomar Mountain map
From: Palomar from Teepee to Telescope. Catherine M. Wood. San Diego: Frye & Smith, 1937.
- JPG
1937: Palomar Mountain area cropped from: 1937 Road Map, California, Prepared exclusively for Standard Oil Company of California
HM Gousha Company, Chicago, 1937
- JPG
1938: U.S. survey map: Township 9S, Range 1E
Northeastern section of Palomar Mountain range including High Point. Shows locations of High Point fire lookout tower, telescopes.
Township No. 9 South, Range No. 1 East, San Bernardino Meridian, California [map]. U.S. Dept of Interior, General Land Office, 1938
- JPG: Key to Palomar Mountain's township, range, and section numbering
- JPG: 1938 U.S. survey map: Township 9S, Range 1E
1938: Palomar Mountain area cropped from: San Diego County
Shows locations of Weber, Brown, Bailey Lodge, Oceanview Store, Mendenhall, Stevens.
California Division of Forestry
- JPG
1939: Palomar Mountain Quadrangle
U.S. Geological Survey, 1939.
- JPG
1939: Palomar Mountain area cropped from: Map of San Diego County Showing Locations of Principal Mineral Deposits
California Dept of Natural Resources
- JPG
undated: Automobile Road Map from Oceanside to Warners Hot Springs
Automobile Club of Southern California, undated.
- JPG
1947: Palomar Mountain area cropped from: Santa Ana, United States
U.S. Geological Survey, 1947
- JPG
1948: Boucher Hill Quadrangle
From 1946 aerial photographs. U.S. Geological Survey, 1948
- JPG
1948+: Palomar Mountain area cropped from: San Diego County
Automobile Club of Southern California, undated. Map shows Vail Dam, which was built in 1948. Map Number 1935. Held by Peter Brueggeman.
- JPG
1949: Palomar
Shows locations of Boucher's House, Nate's Grade, Bob Asher's House, Bob Asher's Cabin, The Wier, Gordon's Cabin, and Palomar School. Indian camp sites are marked.
No attribution. Undated but shows 1949 approx mean declination. Map is based on U.S.G.S. maps. Held by Peter Brueggeman.
- JPG
1949: Palomar Mountain area cropped from: Post Route Map of the States of California and Nevada (Southern Sheet) ... January 15, 1949.
Shows mail route to Palomar Mountain
U.S. Post Office Department, 1949
- JPG
1949: Palomar Observatory Quadrangle
From 1946-1947 aerial photographs. U.S. Geological Survey, 1949
- JPG
1950: Boucher Hill Quadrangle
U.S. Geological Survey, 1950
- JPG
1950: Palomar Observatory Quadrangle
U.S. Geological Survey, 1950
- JPG
1954: Palomar Mountain area cropped from: Post Route Map of the States of California and Nevada (Southern Sheet) ... June 15, 1954.
Shows mail route to Palomar Mountain
U.S. Post Office Department, 1954
- JPG
1955: Early Homestead Sites, Palomar Mountain State Park
Shows locations of Susan Hayes (George Doane's mother-in-law), George Doane, Robert Asher, Adams, Oliver, Scott's Cabin (Johnny's), Smith Douglass Palomar Hotel, Bougher
State of California, Dept of Natural Resources, Division of Beaches and Parks
- JPG
1955: Palomar Mountain State Park
State of California, Dept of Natural Resources, Division of Beaches and Parks
- JPG
1956: Palomar Mountain area cropped from: Street Guide and Metropolitan Map of San Diego
Shell Oil Company, 1956
- JPG
1958: Palomar Mountain area cropped from: Fire Prevention Map. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. Palomar District, Cleveland National Forest, California Region
U.S. Forest Service, 1958
- JPG
1958: Palomar Mountain map
From: Palomar Mountain Past and Present. Marion Beckler. Palm Desert, California: Desert Magazine, 1958.
- JPG
1963: (Indian) Village Locations and Mapped Rancheria Territories in the San Luis Rey Basin
Shows Indian tribal boundaries which extend onto Palomar Mountain
Luiseno Social Organization. White, Raymond C.University of California Publications in American Archeology and Ethnology 48(2):91-194, 1963, Figure 1
- JPG
1970: Palomar Mountain area cropped from: Cleveland National Forest, Palomar District
U.S. Dept of Agriculture, Forest Service, California, 1970
- JPG
1971: Boucher Hill Quadrangle
U.S. Geological Survey, 1971, photorevised
- JPG
1971: Palomar Observatory Quadrangle
U.S. Geological Survey, 1971
- JPG
1974: Locations of Major (Indian) Sites in the Middle San Luis Rey River Drainage, Including Both Summer and Winter Villages and the Trails Connecting Them Where These Are Known
Shows locations of Indian summer villages and trails on Palomar Mountain. Palomar Mountain archaeological site outside Doane, French and Iron Springs creeks are as follows: 530= Silvercrest Picnic area; 535= low knoll at headwaters of Cedar Creek at 4900 ft; 536= eastern edge of Dyche Valley; 537= point of land overlooking San Luis Rey River canyon at 4400 ft; 538= SE end of Will Valley; 539= SW rim of Palomar Mtn at 4600 ft; 548= SW rim of Palomar Mtn at 5300 ft; 593= Cedar Grove campground; 594= Nate Harrison spring; 1286= Crestline
Archaeological investigations at Molpa, San Diego County, California. D. L. True, C. W. Meighan, and Harvey Crew. University of California publications in anthropology volume 11. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1974, Map 4
- JPG
1970s: Palomar Mountain State Park
from: Palomar Mountain State Park. State of California, Department of Parks and Recreation. Brochure, 1970s
- JPG
1982: Palomar Mountain area cropped from: Borrego Valley
U.S. Geological Survey, 1982
- JPG
1982: Boucher Hill Quadrangle
U.S. Geological Survey, 1982, photorevised
- JPG
1982: Palomar Observatory Quadrangle
U.S. Geological Survey, 1982
- JPG
1988: Boucher Hill Quadrangle
U.S. Geological Survey, 1988, photorevised
- JPG
1988: Palomar Observatory Quadrangle
U.S. Geological Survey, 1988
- JPG
1995: San Diego Hydrologic Basin Planning Area
map omits South Grade S6
California Regional Water Quality Control Board, San Diego Region, 1973. 1995 revision
- JPG
1997: Boucher Hill Quadrangle
U.S. Geological Survey, 1997, photorevised
- JPG
1997: Palomar Observatory Quadrangle
U.S. Geological Survey, 1997
- JPG
2004: Palomar Mountain State Park
map from brochure: Palomar Mountain State Park. California State Parks, July 2004 revision.
- JPG
2008: Cleveland National Forest Atlas
U.S. Forest Service, 2nd Edition, 2008.
- PDF
2009: Motor Vehicle Use Map, Palomar Ranger District, Palomar North Map and Palomar Central Map
U.S. Forest Service, 2009
- PDF
2012: Palomar Mountain State Park
map from brochure: Palomar Mountain State Park. California State Parks, 2012 revision.
- JPG
2015: Palomar Mountain State park
map from brochure: Palomar Mountain State Park. California State Parks, 2015.
- JPG
2017: Motor Vehicle Use Map, Palomar Ranger District North
U.S. Forest Service, 2017
- PDF
2021: Palomar Observatory Quadrangle
U.S. Geological Survey, 2021
- JPG

PALOMAR MOUNTAIN RECORDS

Palomar Mountain Residential Chronology
This Palomar Mountain residential chronology compiles names from U.S. and California census records, San Diego County voter registers, and other sources like San Diego city/county directories. These are available via ancestry.com except where noted. It is imprecise, since people could be living on Palomar before and/or after those years. These listings can be limited to head of household and/or voters, so children are not always listed. Palomar Mountain was known as Smith Mountain in earlier years. Voting and census residence names for Palomar Mountain residents vary over the years, perhaps due to registration practice, lack of established placename, and multiple residences. Palomar-specific placenames appear infrequently in earlier years. Some people were listed in off-mountain locations where they voted, went to the store or received mail perhaps, so it can be difficult to tell from census and voting records whom lived on Palomar Mountain. The boundary history for a Palomar voting precinct, when there was one, is unknown to the author, and may extend down mountain to the base. Therefore some people listed are certain to have lived below Palomar Mountain, such as Jose Trujillo.
Peter Brueggeman, 2024
- PDF
LAND PATENTS are deeds from the U.S.government conveying title, and recorded by the government. The U.S. Public Land Survey System divides land into 24-mile tracts that are subdivided into 16 townships that are 6 miles by 6 miles, or 36 square miles. Each township is divided into 36 one-square-mile sections. Each section is 640 acres, and then sections would be halved and quartered, etc. For example, a Robert Asher land patent dated January 16, 1911, specified Township 9 South, Range 1 East, Section 31. Some patentees bought their land for cash, others homesteaded a claim, and others came into ownership via a donation act passed by Congress.
- JPG map key for Palomar Mountain: a 1903 map overlaid with Township, Range, Section numbering
- PDF list of names issued land patents on Palomar Mountain from 1871 to 1984: names are associated with Palomar's Township and Range grid (no section number/aliquot). This list is useful for name verification in a general area on Palomar Mountain. Peter Brueggeman, 2022
- BLM's General Land Office Records of land patents. Look up names to identify the specific land granted with its Township, Range, Section Number, and Aliquot.
San Diego City and County directories
- 1887-1925
- 1874, 1926-1960
California wildfire history maps: Palomar Mountain fire mapping data goes back to 1910. Shows the perimeters of more than 20,000 wildfires that have been recorded in California from 1878 using data from Cal Fire, the National Parks Service, the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
- WIFIRE Fire Map [San Diego Supercomputer Center]
- California Fire History Map [Data Basin]
- California Wildfire History Map [Capital Public Radio, Sacramento]

OTHER ITEMS & SITES OF INTEREST

Escondido History Center
Escondido Public Library Pioneer Room
- Francis Beven Ryan photos
San Diego History Center
Valley Center Historical Society
History of Lost Valley [Schoepe Scout Reservation at Lost Valley]
Native Peoples:
- Pauma Band of Luiseno Indians: Pauma Band
- Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians: Rincon Band
- Cupa / Cupeno people [National Park Service]
- Quechla / San Luis Rey River [National Park Service]
The History of Warner's Ranch and its Environs. Joseph J. Hill. Los Angeles, 1927
City of San Diego Digital Archives
BLM General Land Office Records: searchable database of land patents
Overview of Land Records [rootsweb]
USGS, The National Map: useful for Palomar Mountain placename location
USGS TopoView [USGS]
USGS Historical Topographic Map Explorer [USGS]
Library of Congress: digitized California maps [Library of Congress]
San Diego Yesterday [Richard Crawford]
San Diego County, GenWeb [US Geneweb Archives, California]
California Cemeteries: [The Tombstone Transcription Project]