_{Carlsbad is a unique coastal community located 35 miles north of the City of San Diego surrounded by mountains, lagoons and the Pacific Ocean. Although the "village" dates back more than 100 years, the City was incorporated July 16, 1952.}

_{At that time, Carlsbad had a population of approximately 7,000 people and covered 7.5 square miles. Since its incorporation, the City has grown substantially in population and size (through annexations). As of January 1, 1998, the population of Carlsbad was 73, 688 and the City encompasses approximately 42 square miles. There will be no foreseeable growth in the land size of Carlsbad because all County islands have been annexed.} 

_{The beginnings of real estate in Carlsbad can be traced to the Mission San Luis Rey, which was founded around ten miles north of the Agua Hedionda lagoon in 1798.  The Mexican government held the right to most of the real estate that made up the Olde Carlsbad area.  The rich Carlsbad real estate was available by grants from the Mexican government.  The governments intention was to distribute the Carlsbad real estate evenly amongst its citizens, however the most influential, second generation Hispanics ended up with most of the real estate.} 

_{Real estate in the Carlsbad area changed hands several times in the next hundred years.  Carlsbad sat undeveloped, until it found itself in the hands of Gerhard Schutte and Samuel Smith purchased, who planned to develop 275 acres of prime Carlsbad real estate.  Their plans were to expand on the initial mineral water well dug by John Frazier.  It was Frazier’s Station that became famous for its “healing powers”, and the area became a budding tourist destination.}  

_{In the 1930’s, Carlsbad became a spot for Hollywood celebrities, and other prominent members of high society, for a relaxing vacation.  The Carlsbad Hotel was the site each year of the Bing Crosby special dinner dance that highlighted his annual Rancho Santa Fe Golf Tournament.  It has been written that Bing Crosby’s familiarity with Carlsbad lead him and other investors to form a company Called ‘Carlsbad Properties’ in 1944.  The group developed the Royal Palms Motel and Sea Side Café, which contributed to Carlsbad’s evolution from an agricultural focus to a tourist spot.}  

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^{Carlsbad Fun Facts}

^{In November 1958, the Carlsbad City County announced a challenge to design a City Seal, which retired Major Albert F. Rinehart won.  The Carlsbad seal has an oval within which is centered a triad that represent Carlsbad’s mayor-manager-council form of government.  In the triad is a hatchet, a symbol of a democratic government.  There are three remaining segments, each of which represents Carlsbad’s geography.  Also, there is a sun and a sea, representing the climate and the coastal location of the city.  Located on the bottom left of the triad is the official city flower, the bird of paradise.  Another symbol is the Bird of Paradise, which was adopted as the city flower in 1952.  On the bottom right of the triad is a cornucopia signifying Carlsbad’s horticultural abundance.}