Alpine Highlands POA

Alpine Highlands POA

Alpine California

The community of Alpine California is only a half hour drive from San Diego and the Pacific Ocean. Located just off Highway 8 on the way to the Viejas Casino, Alpine provides a welcome stop-over for food, services, gas and shopping.
Residents of this 4,000 foot elevation mountain community enjoy a climate and a way of life like no other.

Alpine Statistics and History

Alpine is an unincorporated community in San Diego County, California, United States. The community is within a census-designated place (CDP) by the same name. The population of the CDP was 13,143 at the 2000 census.

Alpine is the residence of United States Representative Duncan Hunter.


Geography
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Alpine is located at 32°50?6?N, 116°45?59?W (32.8350521, -116.7664109)GR1, which is near the intersection of Alpine Boulevard and Marshall Road. This is approximately where most maps place Alpine.

According to the United States Census Bureau Alpine is located at 32°50?4?N, 116°46?14?W (32.834563, -116.770615)GR1. This is approximately 1,200 feet west of the USGS location. According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 69.6 km² (26.9 mi²), all land.


Demographics
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 13,143 people, 4,775 households, and 3,652 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 188.9/km² (489.1/mi²). There were 4,958 housing units at an average density of 71.2/km² (184.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 90.78% White, 0.83% African American, 1.17% Native American, 1.98% Asian, 0.21% Pacific Islander, 2.86% from other races, and 2.18% from two or more races. 10.22% of the population were Hispanic (U.S. Census) or Latino of any race.

There were 4,775 households out of which 36.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.5% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.5% were non-families. 17.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 26.0% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 26.6% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 99.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.6 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $61,832, and the median income for a family was $69,821. Males had a median income of $51,444 versus $31,891 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $29,523. About 4.9% of families and 6.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.6% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.


History
The first people to enjoy Alpine's fine climate were the Kumeyaay Indians, who lived here around a thousand years ago. They are one of the many tribes whom the early Catholic Missionaries grouped together under the name Diegueno. The descendants of these people are a vital part of our present community. Alpine began as a stage stop for the mines in the Cuyamaca Mountains. Drivers hauling supplies to the mines and delivering gold to San Diego stopped to rest and change horses before continuing up the rough trail to the Cuyamacas or down the hazardous trials to the coast. Although the stage stop was only a barn and small store, there was an abundant supply of fresh water from the springs in front of the store. Alpine's population gradually increased as the miners spread stories about the area's scenic beauty and fresh water.
Benjamin R. Arnold, seeking a place to cure his asthma, arrived in Alpine in 1887. His health improved in Alpine and he built the family home in what is today the town center. He built the first hotel for people coming to the mountains to improve their health. Arnold spearheaded stageline and road improvements for regular stagecoach services to run down the mountain to meet the train in Lakeside and haul people and supplies back.
Arnold helped build the Town Hall, now the Alpine Woman's Club which is still used for community events and activities.
Alpine gained worldwide publicity during World War I, when a U.S. Government survey declared Alpine's climate the best in the nation. "Best Climate in the U.S.A. by Government Report" became the town slogan.
Today residents of Alpine continue to enjoy the scenic beauty, great climate and small town atmosphere.

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Education
Alpine is a community that is firmly committed to quality education. Parents play a very active role in schools through the PTA's and volunteering in the classroom. Special programs for the arts are offered through the Art Docent program and Alpine Optimist Foundation for Learning.
Three elementary schools, a middle school and an early education school comprise the Alpine Union School District. The district takes pride in the quality of its well-rounded academic program and its small class sizes. The elementary and middle schools have been recognized by the state for their academic excellence. High school students may attend Steele Canyon High School or Granite Hills High School, both in the Grossmont High School District. A citizen committee for a high school located in Alpine continues to work toward that goal.
Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District provides many opportunities for students wishing to attend a junior college, on their two campuses located in El Cajon and La Mesa.

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Business
Alpine has a thriving economy powered by a dynamic business community. There are hundreds of small firms that offer professional services and a variety of retail shops. Businesses are primarily located within the town center, along Alpine Boulevard and Tavern Road. Located just off Interstate 8 at the Tavern Road exit are two shopping complexes, Alpine Creek Shopping Center and the Country Side Center. The Viejas Casino and the Viejas Outlet Center are located on Willows Road, at the I-8 Willows Road exit. The Viejas Outlet Center has been nationally recognized for its design and landscaping.
In addition, hundreds of businesses offer professional services from their residences. With all the electronic and technical conveniences available today, this segment of the business community is prospering and enjoying the flexibility of working from a home office.
The Alpine Chamber of Commerce reminds residents to shop locally through their "Shop Alpine First" campaign. Alpine is proud of the strong partnership between businesses and community organizations. Many businesses financially support youth programs, including AYSO, Girls Softball and Little League. Businesses are also active in sponsoring community programs and events throughout the year.

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Housing
Alpine is a picturesque foothill village with many attractive homes and small ranches nestled among the oaks, sycamores, eucalyptus and pepper trees, amid rolling hills covered with chaparral and sage.
Located in San Diego's East County, it borders the Cleveland National Forest and it is only a 20 minute drive east to the mountain recreation areas of the Cuyamaca State Park and the Laguna Mountains. It is a half hour drive west to San Diego and the Pacific Ocean.
Situated on Interstate 8 at the foot of the rugged Viejas Mountains, which rise to 4,187 feet above sea level, Alpine's elevation ranges from 1,800 to 2,600 feet and hosts Alpine's ideal climate with an average high temperature of 77 degrees

History of Alpine Highland since 1960

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE HIGHLANDS by Chris Mackenzie

Frank O’Neil bought the 200 acres known as the Highlands in the 1960’s. He put in paved roads, two water wells and subdivided it, He also developed two documents, Restrictions and Bylaws.

By 1982 in failing health, he asked his daughter, Sharon Haven, to organize a Home Owners Association. Approximately 75% of the home owners at the time joined paying token fee of $5. Membership passes to new owners when homes are sold. Officers and a Board of Directors were elected to be responsible for maintaining the private roads and handle water problems. It also appointed an architectural committee to oversee any new building.

In the next few years, the Highlands joined Padre Dam to serve the increased housing and approved the installation of natural gas lines. Meantime the roads required slurry sealing every five years for which owners had to pay, a difficult collection job in some cases.

The Board tried to persuade the County to take over the roads but was refused.

Five years ago the County rules changed. AHPOA still owns and control the roads, but the County maintains them, rebuilding them completely five years ago with the cost paid for through our taxes. Currently the Alpine Highlands consist of 132 homes, and 2.4 miles of roads. The boundaries are homes east of South Grade where most of the roads end in canyons, and south of Viejas View Place, again where most roads end in canyons.