The City of Poway is conveniently located in the center of San Diego County; Poway enjoys a sunny climate, clean air, a pristine lake and ecological reserves.  Poway has been planned with care for balanced growth, serene living, and an ideal place in which to prosper.

Rich in history, agriculture, and development, Poway offers a perfect reflection of the California dream.  Originally named "Paguay", meaning "the meeting of little valleys" by the Diegueno and Luiseno Indians, the area offered an opportunity for the missionaries of the Mission San Diego de Alcala to officially record the name in 1828.  The Paguay valley provided an ideal pasturing place for mission stock.  A land grant in 1839 was given to Rosario Aguilar for the territories of Los Penasquitos, the Pueblo of San Bernardo, and the Ranches of San Dieguito.  Aguilar´s efforts to develop unfortunately failed. 

From 1859 to the early 1900´s Poway experienced continual growth in ranching, farming, and dreams of railroad development.  The first post office, in the valley, was established in 1869 and the official naming of Poway from Paguay.  By 1880 through 1887 settlers were busy planting orchards, vineyards, dairying, and bee-keeping.  Poway had stores, a school, a hotel, and the expectation of two railroad lines coming through the valley. 

With the possibility of two railroad lines in the valley a real estate "boom" developed.  Baird and Chapin, an English firm, filed a plat in 1887 showing a residential community planned around small parks (Ashton Court, Chatham Court, Hampton Court, and St. Alban´s Court).  Unfortunately, the railroad lines did not emerge and few traces of the development remain today, except for a few street names.  Currently, this area is referred to as "Old Poway."

Poway was somewhat remote from the City of San Diego in the early 1900´s.  Transportation was primitive and travel needs were met by the use of stagecoach or wagons.  Area settlers overcame transportation problems and drought.  By this time, Poway was known for producing peaches, grain, and alfalfa along for its vineyards.  The Old Pomerado Grade connected trade and supplies for settlers to San Diego. 

The greatest change in Poway, started in the 1950´s when water came to the valley.  In 1954 the Poway Municipal Water District was formed. The citizen´s voted to incur a bonded debt of $600,000 to build a water system in 1954.    This resulted in the first delivery of water to Gordon´s Grocery on Garden Road in 1954.  The Poway Dam was built in 1972 to establish a reliable supply of water. 

The Pomerado County Water District was formed to provide sewer service to over 1,600 acres along Pomerado Road in 1957.  Poway Valley Homes, the first subdivision homers were built and sold in 1959 and Poway´s population began to climb.  A fire department was established by the Poway Municipal Water district in 1961.  In 1980, Poway incorporated and officially become the City of Poway.  The Poway Municipal Water and Pomerado County Water became a part of the City configuration.

Poway offers a new state-of-the-art library, Community Center, Lake Poway,  Center for Performing Arts (http://www.powayarts.org/),  Sportsplex USA, Blue Sky Ecological Reserve,  and Old Poway Park. 
 

The award winning Poway Unified School District (PUSD) encompasses an area of 100 square miles, district schools are situated in suburban San Diego and throughout the rural city of Poway.  PUSD operates 22 elementary schools (K-5), six middle schools (6-9), four high schools (9-12), and one continuation high school.  PUSD provides service to roughly 33,000 students and is the third largest school district in the County of San Diego.

Poway maintains a growing business community.  Local industry leaders include, PUSD, GEICO, First American Credco, Hunter ? Douglas, and Sysco Foods.

According to the Poway Chamber of Commerce and the 2000 Census, the area sustains a population of 50,632 with the medium household income of $77,965 which ranks second in San Diego County.  The year to date median sale price for a single family detached home is $620,000.

Truly an ideal place to reside and prosper, Poway is the "City in the Country" and is conveniently located in the center of San Diego County.   Come and enjoy a sunny climate, clean air, lake, horseback riding, hiking, picnics, community events and ball games. 

Sources:

City of Poway Website

SANDICOR Website

PUSD Website

San Diego Historical Society Website