Potrero

History

The area which today is within the unincorporated community of Potrero was part of the area traveled by the Kumeyaay, artifacts that originate from the Kumeyaay have been found that date to at least a thousand years ago; a prehistoric archeology site was also found in the area. The first settler was Charlie McAlmond. A sage honey apiary existed in the community, that created honey for export; cattle and sheep raising, as well as freight hauling, were other industries of the area. Between 1888 and 1896, a trading post was established in Potrero by the owners of the Campo Gaskill store. A road originating in Campo, came through Potrero, to Jamul was created in 1889. Another fire occurred in the area in 1943, and was named for the community; firefighting was largely conducted by Soldiers from Camp Lockett as well as Marines from Camp Pine Valley. In 1990, the Los Angeles Times featured the community describing it as "The Last Resort" for those who have chemical sensitivities. In 2007, Blackwater USA submitted plans to build a weapons training facility in Potrero. The plans generated substantial controversy in the community. Local activists organized a recall campaign against the members of the local planning group. On 11 December 2007, all five members of the Potrero Community Planning Group who approved the Blackwater project lost their seats in a recall election. On March 7, 2008, Blackwater USA pulled their application for this facility.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP covers an area of 3.2 square miles (8.2 km), all of it land. The area has Lathyrus splendens and Quercus engelmannii, both being rare species of plants.}}

Race & ethnicity