Chula Vista, CA... part of Genealogy Trails

Chula Vista
San Diego County, CA

Chula Vista was subdivided late in 1888, Col. W. G. Dickinson having outlined the plan, which was to start a suburban town of fruit farms, ranging from about two acres to ten, the owners being required to build homes costing not less than $2,000 each. Among early residents were Col. Dickinson, A. Barber, J. M. Johnson and J. L. Griffin.

Chula Vista, just beyond National City on the county highway toward Tijuana, also having a station on the San Diego & Arizona Railway, is one of the most attractive sections of San Diego County. Near enough, in the days of modern rapid transit by train or automobile, or street car, to be called a suburb of the city of San Diego, it is much more than that; for, although many who work in the city have selected Chula Vista as a place of residence, it is the centre of a great citrus-growing section, about 3,000 acres being devoted to that end and doing much to give San Diego County high rank among the lemon producing districts of the United States. The population of Chula Vista in 1921 was estimated at about 2,000. Its 6.000 acres are irrigated by water from the great Sweetwater Dam, which furnishes a domestic supply to the city. Assessed valuation of the city in 1('21 was $1,400,000. For many years the Western Salt Works, under the control of E. S. Babcock, has harvested thousands of tons of commercial salt from its plant on the bay. The San Diego Oil Products Corporation after the war took over the great plant of the Hercules Powder Company on the bay shore and made of it a great industry. It contains what is said to be the largest cotton-seed warehouse in the United States.

In 1920 there was started at Chula Vista the San Diego Country Club, supported largely by residents of San Diego. This club obtained 600 acres of mesa land just outside the city limits and laid out one of the finest golf courses in the country. The club was organized with a membership limit of 600, and this maximum had practically been reached as this was written. Supporters of the club predict that it will be a strong attraction for residents and visitors.

Chula Vista in 1921 had four churches and union high and grammar schools. In the last ten years many fine residences, surrounded by beautiful flowers, trees and shrubbery, have been erected in Chula Vista.

The first church started in Chula Vista was that of the Congregationalists, who on November 18, 1890, formed an organization with only eleven members.
Of these Mrs. Elizabeth Sharp of Otay and J. T. Judkins are still members of the church. The congregation first worshiped in an old school building whose site is now occupied by the public library. In 1894 the church moved into its own home, then just completed, and in 18% acquired a parsonage. In 1910 a new church was erected and that has been used since.
In the last ten years the congregation has grown from 81 to 221. The Rev. George R. Lockwood is the present pastor.

The Methodists of Chula Vista first worshiped with the Congregationalists and later had services in a tent while building their own church, which was completed ten years ago. At that time the church assumed a debt of $8,000, which was all cleared up two years ago. The church started with twenty-five members and have about 125 now, with 150 attending the Sunday school. The Rev. F. Sedwick was the first pastor; since him there have been the Revs. Luther Rice, Edward Perry, Ernest Cole, A. W. Gray and L. R. Bayard, the present pastor.

The Christian Scientists of Chula Vista began services about four years ago, Mrs. Jessie G. Davies being reader. Wallace G. Capwell is the present reader. Members of the society have met for services in the Women's Club rooms, but made plans in 1921 for a building of their own.

The Catholics of Chula Vista recently organized a parish to be under the care of the Rev. Father Michael Egan of St. Anthony's, National City. A church building was moved from Palm City and a pastoral residence erected. The church is St. Rose of Lima.

Source: McGrew, Clarence Alan, City of San Diego and San Diego County, Vol. I, 1922
Transcribed by Candi H. 2009