SD, Day 4: Old Mining Town

July 2, 2008

The sky was clear and sunny this Wednesday morning as we drove east to visit the tourist town of Julian! Visiting Julian was like taking a trip back in time to the days of the California Gold Rush.

Julian is a quaint tourist town, about an hour’s drive from San Diego. The town began as a mining camp in 1869 when gold was discovered there. The city was officially founded in 1870.

According to http://www.desertusa.com/, “By the summer of 1872, there were 50 houses, 3 hotels, 4 stores, 2 restaurants, 1 schoolhouse and the "usual number of saloons" to service an estimated 300 miners working in the area. Numerous hard rock mines were established in 1879 in the Julian and Banner area yielded an estimated $4 to $5 million dollars in gold ore.”

Approximately 300 residents live within the township now. Historic buildings over 100 years old still stand, welcoming the modern visitor. Our first stop was the Miner's Diner for a soda at the soda fountain.

Then it was down the walk to this gift shop called the Old Julian Garage. We each had our chance to pan for precious gems, just like the miners of old.

OK, maybe not "just like" the 1870's miners! The modern process is a bit more controlled: a bag of sand mixed with stones is poured into a screen, and water is pumped thru a trough as it washes away the sand, leaving the gems behind.

below: Resting our feet and taking a break from the sun.

Around town: Julian Hotel, built in 1897, and the Julian Cafe and Bakery, as old as the town itself.

Julian is also famous for its APPLES! "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." (http://www.julianca.com/)

Joe has fond memories of apple pie in Julian. He would bring his kids here, when they were too young to even remember. He said that since there wasn't any snow in San Diego, he'd take the kids to the mountains near Julian to play in the snow! They would then stop in town for a hot chocolate and apple pie before going back home.

Well, with memories like that, we couldn't NOT stop in for some of that apple pie! Our day ended with a visit to the Cider Mill, and hot, fresh apple pie from Mom's Apple Pie. That was THE BEST apple pie I've ever eaten, and I don't even like apple pie that much.