Gold was discovered in 1869 in Julian and shortly after there were eight saloons, five stores, two hotels, two cafe's, two livery stable, two blacksmith shops, and a church. The gold eventually ran out but the apples didn't as the apple trees that were planted early on are still producing today. Julian is currently known as an apple paradise and a romantic getaway.Ghosttowns.com

Located in the San Diego Mountains northeast of the city, Julian City was founded early in 1870 and named after a Mike Julian who owned the property where gold was discovered. At first, Julian was a tent city, with a handful of log cabins. As lumber arrived from San Diego, frame buildings rose along the main street. Two stamp mills were under construction preparing to work ores from such mines as the Washington, Golden Chariot, Ready Relief, and others. But Julian had legal problems concerning ownership of the where the mines were located. Spanish Land Grants ended up in the courts and eventually Julian City lost most of its miners who moved away. The few miners who remained eventually won their reward. But by this time a new attraction had invaded the Julian country—farming and ranching, which it is today. However, some of the earliest buildings remain. Submitted by Henry Chenoweth.

Houses built around 1870
Courtesy Dolores Steele

Old Julian Hotel
Courtesy Dolores Steele

Witch Creek School - 1880
Courtesy Dolores Steele

Julian Jail
Courtesy Dolores Steele

Cemetery
Courtesy Dolores Steele

Cemetery
Courtesy Dolores Steele