Biographical / Historical Notes
The El Cajon Horticultural Society was formed in July of 1889. The original 18 members met in the El Cajon school house and were comprised of local ranchers and farmers. G.H. Bowers was the temporary secretary for the Society’s first meetings, with George M. Hawley adopting the role officially. W.H. Somers served as president, C.B. Richards as vice-president, and H. Culbertson as treasurer. The goal of the society was to unite the growing community of farmers to discuss agricultural topics and methods.
In the late 1800s, El Cajon was a thriving agrarian community, though like the rest of San Diego County, the city lacked a consistent water supply. In 1889, the San Diego Flume Company completed a 33.5 mile aqueduct that ran from the Cuyamaca Mountains down through the El Cajon Valley with the intent to help irrigate San Diego as a whole. The Horticultural Society took great interest in the construction of the irrigation system and even met with representatives from the San Diego Flume Co. to discuss the city’s interests and negotiate water rights. The society changed their name to the El Cajon Valley Improvement Association in 1909.
From the guide to the El Cajon Horticultural Society Records, 1889 July 10-1909 November 13, (San Diego History Center Document Collection)
