San Diego Before Cityhood 1769-1850

San Diego was first settled by Europeans in 1769. Father Junipero Serra journeyed from Spain and settled the area in order to Christianize the local Indians. To accomplish his work, he founded the California Missions, of which San Diego was the first.

After Mexico achieved independence in 1821, San Diego, as well as the rest of present day California, became part of Mexico. An Alcalde or Mayor was the head of the local government. Population at this time was sparse. The Mission and surrounding ranches dominated the San Diego landscape.

The next significant event in San Diego history was the Mexican-American War. The 1846 Battle of San Pasqual, the major battle in California, was fought in the Lake Hodges-San Pasqual area. Following the victory of the United States in the War, the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo in 1848 ceded the areas of California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas from Mexico to the United States. With the discovery of gold in Northern California in 1848, the population of California quickly increased. This increase in the number of citizens soon qualified the territory for statehood. California was admitted to the Union in 1850.

California's Third City, San Diego, 1850-1931

San Diego was incorporated as a city March 27, 1850. The first City government consisted of a Common Council with five members and a Mayor, City Marshall, City Attorney, City Clerk, City Assessor, and City Treasurer. All were elected to their positions. Other officials were appointed by the Common Council. However, after only two years the City was bankrupt and the State dissolved the government, replacing it with a three-member Board of Trustees. The State held control of the government until 1876, having the power to review and then approve or disapprove actions of the Trustees. In 1872 the Board of Trustees was increased to five members and entrusted with some of its previous powers.

In 1887 the voters of San Diego adopted a new Charter. This document replaced the Board of Trustees with a Mayor-Council form of government. Yet another Charter was adopted in 1889. This Charter, with modifications, was maintained until 1931.

The 1889 form of government was patterned on the Federal and State government examples. The Mayor was a strong executive elected City-wide who could veto legislation passed by the Common Council. The Common Council consisted of two Houses: a Board of Aldermen (two representatives from each of nine wards), and a Board of Delegates (nine members elected at large). In 1905 the two Houses of the Common Council were consolidated into one House of nine members (one from each ward).