The area
encompassing Solana Beach began to develop rapidly, when Lake Hodges Dam
was built in 1917-18. The creation of the 12,000 acre Santa Fe Irrigation
District in 1918 insured that the area from Rancho Santa Fe through Solana
Beach would prosper and expand. The coastline from Solana Beach to
Oceanside began to boom in the early 20's. In 1922 Ed Fletcher (an early
community leader) purchased 140 acres at $20 per acre from farmer George
H. Jones to develop the town of Solana Beach, under the watchful eye of
his brother-in-law, Eugene Batcheldor. The Solana Beach area was promoted
as an avocado growing center. This paralleled the development of the
entire county during the 1924-29 period.
In order to provide an ocean view for the town, hydraulic water pressure
was used to erode away tons of earth and create the Fletcher Cove entry
and beach. This took one man three months with a fire hose, using water
that was coming over the spillway at Lake Hodges Dam. Fletcher also built
the Bank of Solana Beach, which he subsequently sold to the Bank of
America. He was later forced to sell half of Solana Beach when the
depression hit in 1929.
Solana Beach was officially incorporated as a city in 1986.
Approximately 14, 000 residents reside in the 4 square miles beach
community of Solana Beach. The Pacific Ocean is to the west, the City of
Encinitas to the north and the City of Del Mar to the south. The community
is home for many artisans, high tech business and professionals.
The elementary school district is composed of five elementary schools, of
which only two are actually within the city limits of Solana Beach. The
middle school is under the administration of the San Dieguito Union High
School District. The high school students in the area attend Torrey Pines
High School located to the south of Solana Beach. Additionally there are
several private and parochial schools in Solana Beach.
The South Cedros area of the City has been developed as an upscale design
district that attracts many artisans, decorators and antique dealers. The
area continues to be a focal point for the city.
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