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Carlsbad
Carlsbad’s natural spring water has a chemical makeup that is very similar to springs located in Karlsbad, Germany. In 1886, that fact inspired early homesteaders to name their new town, Carlsbad. The town is located on the coast in North San Diego County, south of Oceanside and north of Encinitas.
The area was favored by Luiseno Indians who camped along the lagoon. The Spaniards, blazing what was to become the El Camino Real, named that same lagoon, Agua Hedionda, which means "stinking water." Apparently they had camped upwind from an old fishing camp.
Mission San Luis Rey was founded about 10 miles north of the lagoon and when the missions were secularized in 1833, the land that became Carlsbad was claimed by Juan Maria Romouldo Marron. Marron lived in San Diego and ran cattle on his Rancho Agua Hedionda. After his death the rancho passed into American hands.
In 1888, two Americans from Nebraska arrived with dreams of building a town of "small farms and gracious homes." Their German background and the town's water inspired its name of Carlsbad.
The population was around 300 in 1914 when the South Coast Land Company secured water rights from Oceanside. This expanded the town's agricultural efforts to flowers, bulbs, fruit orchards and avocados. Carlsbad is still famous for its flower fields of ranunculus. The colorful display is annual attraction for locals and tourist every Spring.
World War II brought an influx of Marines and their families thanks to the town's proximity to Camp Pendleton. Many of these soldier returned after the war to settle in the area they remembered for its beaches and mild climate. The City of Carlsbad was formed in 1952.
Today Carlsbad is home to approximately 135,000 residents and a thriving mix of industries. Recently LEGOLAND located its West Coast theme park in the town making it a destination for tourists from all over the country. The area is also the center of the gold club and golf apparel industries. There is a major regional mall and a large discount mall.
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