CHAPTER NINE
San Marcos was growing but some unfortunate things were happening around the world. I’m going to tell you a story about some very interesting people named “Butch”, “Tommy”, “Babe” and “Mrs. Gene Pirazzini”, but first we’ll discuss WWII. I’ll explain a little later how it relates to San Marcos. It was in 1938 that China and Japan were fighting, which was the early beginning of the great war when Japan joins the “Axis” and China joins the “Allies”. By 1939 Germany was attempting to take over the entire European continent and the United Kingdom and France issued an ultimatum to Germany. But the ultimatum was ignored so the war with Germany by these countries plus Australia, India and New Zealand was now in full force. The U.S. was still neutral but launched the Neutrality Patrol which combined air and ship patrols to watch our shores. It wasn’t until the infamous Dec 7th, 1941 when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor that we became fully involved in the fight of WWII. Many of our boys had to go.
Now I’m sure you knew all that much, so how does it relate to San Marcos? This is fun! The very first Fire Department here, then the California Division of Forestry (CDF) was formed in 1936 as a volunteer organization. The first full-time paid firefighter was hired in 1946. But here is the interesting part – During WWII when many of us, most being men, went to war, the one fire station we had then, located on Pico, was “manned” by four very capable women. Butch, Tommy, Babe and Mrs. Gene Pirazzini stepped in to help. “Mrs. Pirazzini” acted as the Fire Chief and forest truck driver. Her husband was in the service. “Butch”, the assistant fire truck driver was Mrs. Eleanor Schnurr. “Babe” was Mrs. Anita 13 Graves, and “Tommy” was Miss Doris Thompkins whose fiancé was also in the service. Surprised? All the ladies were graduates of fire-fighting courses and trained in firefighting techniques as well as all other possible required duties. True to our perception of firefighters they lived barracks style, slept on bunks and endured few amenities which assuredly included the not-so-feminine but necessary ill fitting overalls. But as ladies might, they kept the station neat, trim and orderly. They also maintained a “victory garden” which was quite the usual thing to do during the war. Oh, and I read they also hung curtains! Well they were women after all. They alternated their jobs from manning the hose and nozzle, being a “reel girl” and middlemen who helped keep the hose from acting up and driving the trucks. The ladies were on call for local fires plus helping other volunteer departments in nearby communities including burning brush along roadways to slow the fire as well as fighting brush fires. Wielding fire axes, shovels and heavy hoses were all part of the job. It’s a strong possibility that San Marcos had the very first all-women fire crew in the county and even the entire state. They certainly must have “broken trail” for many female firefighters to come. But when the war ended, and the men returned, Butch, Tommy, Babe and Mrs. Gene Pirazzini left the fire service and went on with their lives. However, their service had to have left a special feather in the cap of our city’s history. Isn’t it great to know that this town we live in was being well protected by these special ladies when the rest of the world was in conflict? Our men were incredibly brave and so were Butch, Tommy, Babe and Mrs. Pirazzini.
CHAPTER TEN
Its 1945, the war is over, lives are mending, and people are looking for the new normal. San Diego and the county remain an important military area of the U.S. and San Marcos continued to be a city of growth. Many of the children and grandchildren of our original settlers were still here continuing to farm, raise bees and produce honey, preside over the largest chicken ranch in southern California, and along with newcomers made it a place to raise families, bring in new business and promote development. In 1946 the San Marcos residents voted to bring Colorado River water to this area. They believed it would increase interest, investment and economic growth. Available water usually does.
It took 10 years for that water to reach us, but it worked as expected. From 1956 forward San Marcos realized a rapid increase in population to around 2500 souls. During the same 10-year period the first college was established. Palomar College opened its doors to 100 students located then on the Vista High School grounds. Classes were held in Quonset huts. Within two years more space and a permanent location was created at its present location on W. Mission Rd. You’ve heard the saying “You can’t stop progress” – so in 1962 another event began that would transform San Marcos from being known as a farming community to a resort city. 1200 to 1500 acres of our little Valley of St Marks came to the attention of a couple successful developers from Glendale, CA. To digress just a little, the land that straddled the San Marcos Creek was purchased by the Clemson family in the 1920’s. They dry-farmed (farming on non-irrigated land with little rainfall and relying on drought resistant crops and moisture conservation tillage) and raised cattle. But to control an unpredictable water supply the Clemson’s began construction of a concrete dam at the west end of the property where the creek water would head to the sea. The dam was completed in 1951 which formed a 40-acre lake. It had completely filled by 1952 and even though the Clemson’s now felt secure in the survival of their crops and cattle they started feeling after about 36 years and thousands of hours of labor, it was time to retire from the constant demand of maintaining the land. So, they decided to sell.
The Frazar Brothers of Glendale who had been looking for property in the La Jolla Triangle weather belt found what they wanted here. There plans were on a grand scale for something very special. They sealed the deal in 1962 and began developing Lake San Marcos. They started by reshaping and extending the lake by 1.3 miles which doubled the water area to 80 acres. The first building was a motel and restaurant on the lake shore. A nation-wide advertising effort was underway. Potential buyers and investors were literally flown in aboard amphibious planes landing on the lake for effect. By 1963 this budding resort had a shopping center including 23 merchants and services. Other attractions like golf courses, community pools, tennis courts, a clubhouse for all kinds of community activities were on the drawing board. The first homes were built and for sale as well as view or lakefront lots for custom home construction. As early as 1964-65 Lake San Marcos won awards as the best planned lake community in the nation. It continues to provide an environment seldom matched anywhere, and it’s known as part of the City of San Marcos even though it is an unincorporated area of our city.
San Marcos itself incorporated in 1963 and was credited as the fastest growing city in the entire State of California. By the 1980’s we had a population of 17,479. That’s an increase of approximately 14,979 in just a little over 20 years. Great weather, desirable amenities like the Lake San Marcos Resort community, services and businesses to satisfy most any need with lots more room for growth, San Marcos had become a city of distinction.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
As history would have it, this is the last chapter but not the last of San Marcos’ story. Our city appears to be headed onward, hopefully with as much distinction as its history suggests. So, for this chapter I will present some closing stats and impressions as suggested by my research.
Our 24.4 acres of the Little Valley of St Marks has grown up. It is still the same size but has reached heights of development and levels of progress that may have surprised even the experts. Our diverse and proud population is currently expected to reach over 92,000 by 2020 and is still considered to be one of the fastest growing cities in the San Diego County region. The amenities, successful business development and employment opportunities are of record. The City’s Plan includes a coordinated vision for our future as a guide to the best options for residents, businesses and agencies. The City’s development of “Focus Areas” means where land use changes are considered as likely to occur within the planning horizon. This includes overcoming or changing physical constraints to development like topographical or human-made constraints like State Route 78 (or San Marcos Blvd at certain times of day). This may sound like too much political control and is, of course, the job of our elected and appointed City officials. But they seem to have done a pretty good job so far. San Marcos is one of the very few cities in the State, and possibly in the country, that operates in the “Black” and one with the lowest major crime rate in the County.
So, let’s talk about the amenities. These are the things that mean something to our citizens. They include business opportunities, a strong economy, effective transportation network, all levels of education, (Our Colleges and Cal State San Marcos are part of one of the largest and well-regarded school districts in the County with over 60,000 registered students), availability of major medical and emergency services, restaurants to satisfy any appetite, movie theaters and live entertainment, 24 year-round parks and recreation centers, a Central County location, moderate weather, and easy access to the Pacific Ocean, Mountains, Desert, Military agencies and a commuter Airport. There are plenty of pet care services, senior living facilities and services, and open-space with views that will amaze your senses---Gosh, if you can think of anything you want or need, I’m willing to suggest its available right here.
Does it sound like I am acting as an ambassador? –No – just suggesting that San Marcos has come a long way since 1797 and whatever made you choose to live here might be because of things about this City you didn’t know before. If you want to know more, there is plenty information available at the San Marcos Historical Society Museum and City of San Marcos website. I barely scratched the surface with these eleven chapters but hope you have enjoyed reading my short story of a “Land Not So Far Away”.
I hope you have enjoyed the history, Lynn Chialtas
