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El Cajon, California

Nestled in a broad valley east of San Diego, El Cajon — Spanish for "the box" — is surrounded by mountains on all sides. Once a ranching community, it became a diverse suburban city and is now home to one of the largest Iraqi Chaldean communities in the United States.
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Founded 1869 | Population 106,726 | Peak 106,726 (2024) | County San Diego County

Top 10 Most Important Events for El Cajon, California

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1869 Founded: Amaziah Knox became the first American settler in the El Cajon Valley.
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1912 Incorporated: El Cajon incorporated as a city, growing from its agricultural roots.
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1961 Gillespie Field: Gillespie Field airport became a key general aviation facility for East County San Diego.
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1990 Refugee Resettlement: El Cajon became a major resettlement city for Iraqi Chaldean refugees, transforming the city's cultural landscape.
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2010 Downtown Revitalization: The city invested in downtown revitalization, adding a performing arts center and mixed-use development.
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Latest News in El Cajon

Mar 22, 2026
Parolee with Prior Double-Murder Conviction Sentenced to Life Without Parole in Killing of South Los Angeles Woman
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Mar 16, 2026
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Mar 16, 2026
Investigator Exposes $170M Fraud in California
Investigator Nick Shirley has brought to light a massive $170 million fraud scheme operating within California, representing a sig…
Mar 15, 2026
NYPD Captain Arrested for Assaulting Alleged Child Predator
NYPD Captain Kai Bowen is now facing serious legal repercussions following an off-duty incident that escalated into violence. Repo…
Mar 13, 2026
What’s Behind Trump’s Push to Revive California Oil?
The Trump administration’s directive to Sable Offshore Corp. to restore the Santa Ynez oil unit in California represents a s…
Mar 10, 2026
CBS Investigation Reveals Hospice Fraud Hotspot in Los Angeles
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Complete Historical Timeline

1869 Culture
Founded
1912 Government
Incorporated
1961 Transport
Gillespie Field
1990 Culture
Refugee Resettlement
2010 Culture
Downtown Revitalization

Did You Know?

1
El Cajon means 'The Box' in Spanish for its box canyon geography.
2
Home to one of the largest Iraqi Chaldean communities in the U.S.
3
Located in an inland valley east of San Diego.
4
El Cajon is located in San Diego County, California.
5
El Cajon was founded in 1869.

Famous People from El Cajon, California

JJ
Jimmie Johnson
Racing Automobile Driver, Film Actor · Born Sep 17, 1975 · Age 50
GM
Glen Morgan
Screenwriter, Television Producer · Born Jul 12, 1961 · Age 64
JM
Joe Musgrove
Baseball Player · Born Dec 4, 1992 · Age 33

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