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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

May 6, 2026
He Had A Tough Childhood And His Dad Was A Bank Robber But Today He’s A Hollywood Star
Before he ever put on a Spider-Man suit, Tobey Maguire was fighting battles far from Hollywood red carpets and blockbuster premier…
May 4, 2026
Wheel of Fortune Contestant Misses Out On $61,000 Over This Tough Puzzle
A Wheel of Fortune contestant saw $61,000 slip away in the Bonus Round last week, leaving fans stunned over what many called one o…
Apr 20, 2026
Dead or Missing Scientists Pose “National Security Threat,” Top House Republican Warns as Oversight Committee Launches Probe
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) has declared a series of deaths and disappearances involving at least 11 Am…
Apr 18, 2026
Trump’s Psychedelic Pivot: Executive Order Accelerates Review of Mind-Altering Drugs for Mental Health Crisis
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Saturday directing federal agencies to fast-track the review and potential app…
Apr 16, 2026
White House Signals Review of Mysterious Deaths and Disappearances Among U.S. Scientists in Sensitive Fields
The Trump administration has indicated it will examine a cluster of unexplained deaths and disappearances involving at least 10 Am…
Apr 14, 2026
California’s “Stop Nick Shirley Act”: Privacy Measure or Assault on Investigative Journalism?
California lawmakers advanced a controversial bill Monday that critics have dubbed the “Stop Nick Shirley Act,” raising sharp …

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

Other Cities in California

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LA
Los Angeles
Pop. 3,898,747
SD
San Diego
Pop. 1,386,932
SJ
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Pop. 1,013,240
SF
San Francisco
Pop. 873,965
F
Fresno
Pop. 542,107
S
Sacramento
Pop. 524,943
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