Cuyamaca, California
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cuyamaca is a region of eastern San Diego County. It lies east of the Capitan-Grande Indian Reservation in the western Laguna Mountains, north of Descanso and south of Julian. Originally a Mexican land grant the region is now dominated by the 26,000 acre (105 km²) Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. Within the park is the prominent Cuyamaca Mountain, the second-highest mountain in San Diego County at 6,512 feet (1,985 m). In 1889 Cuyamaca Dam was completed creating Cuyamaca Reservoir. The village of Cuyamaca consists of approximately 145 homes on a hill west of the reservoir.
The name is a Spanish corruption of the Kumeyaay phrase "Ah-Ha Kwe-Ah Mac", which approximately means "the place where it rains". Cuyamaca is a popular toponym (place name) lending its name to streets, businesses and a community college in the San Diego area.
On October 27, 2003 most of the Cuyamaca region was destroyed by the Cedar Fire. 25,000 acres (101 km²) in the state park and 120 homes in the village of Cuyamaca were burned.
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