San Marcos was named by Spanish soldiers riding after cattle take by the Indians. They found the fertile valley in 1797 and named it Los Vallecitos de San Marcos or Little Valleys of St. Mark. In 1840, the valley was deeded to Sgt. Mario Alvarado. After Alvarado was killed at San Pasqual, his widow sold the land to Larenzo Soto. In the late 1850s, Maj. Gustavus F. Merriam arrived from Kansas and started the first permanent settlement.

 

In 1887, the San Marcos Land Company bought the land and began to divide the land into tracts. Settlers began to pour in. The Santa Fe Railroad came to the valley at about the same time.

 

Farming was the main occupation in the area into the early part of the century. Dairy and poultry production were also a large part of the economy. The city began to grow rapidly in the 50s when Colorado River water became available. Today the city has a population of about 56,000.

 

California State University San Marcos recently opened in the hills of San Marcos and the area is also home to Palomar College, a 2-year community college with 30,000 full-time and part-time students. Its Old California Restaurant Row is a popular entertainment area for North County residents.