1924 The Suncrest Subdivision
While there were early settlers on the hill, the true beginning of the Suncrest community was in 1924 when Barney  Cornelius sold 240 acres, known as Juanita Ranch, to Ray Coats and Allan Houser for a consideration of approximately $10,000. This was part of the 360 acre McCutcheon property. Coats was in the advertising department with the San Diego Sun paper. He sold approximately 200 lots, one or more with each subscription to the paper as a promotional gimmick. It was developed into the recreational community of Suncrest. As an incentive to increase circulation of the paper, he sold the lots in the Suncrest subdivision for $38.50 – $8.50 down and $2.50 a month if you subscribed to The Sun for six months. The lots were 25’ by 100’. The Suncrest Sales office was located on Suncrest and Allegria.

 Wouldn’t you want to purchase a lot in Suncrest? Several ads appeared in the local papers, each giving a glowing description of the new and beautiful Suncrest resort.   One such ad in the San Diego Sun described it all (check out other ads at the end of this article . Permission granted from the Union Tribune.)

“Suncrest lies on the flat top of a mountain with an elevation of about 1850 feet. In the center of the tract, a large and beautiful park is being laid out and will be equipped with playgrounds for the kiddies, tennis courts, etc. Surrounding this park are groves containing thousands of trees. Then on the outer rim of the tract are many crest sites affording glorious views. To the east may be seen the length and breadth of Dehesa Valley, Harbison’s canyon, and even Alpine valley. And, as a magnificent background to this impressive view, stately mountains proudly jut their heads up into the morning sky.  Surely one cannot see this sight without wondering at the mighty hand that laid them there. Now let’s look over here to the west. Down there is Mount Helix. Just to the left you see, that is Point Loma – and look – Coronado, North Island, and The Strand, and Coronado Islands – and that little bright blue spot—Sweetwater Lake. Can you imagine sitting on your own cabin porch and seeing all of this? That is what the San Diego Sun Subscription Department is offering you – for $38.50.

But wait, we’re missing something. Look out there to the north. There in the distance are the Corona Mountains. Isn’t it hard to realize that they lie away up in Riverside County?

In an hour, you can reach SUNCREST from any point in San Diego, so why take our word for this view? Drive up Sunday and see for yourself. At the bottom of this page you will find the directions for getting there.

The Water System
The engines and pumps for an elaborate water system have been purchased from the Sidney Mayer Company, and have been installed. Water will be distributed to every section of SUNCREST. Good, cold, mountain-wells supply the water. This is all being furnished and paid for by the SUN Subscription Dept. It costs the cabin site owners NOT ONE CENT.

The Suncrest Clubhouse – C.R. Job, local contractor, has been awarded the contract for clubhouse and construction is nearing completion. A wide porch around the entire clubhouse will afford a meeting place for all SUNCREST cabin site owners and their friends. A nice dance floor inside will give the younger folks (and the livelier, older ones) a chance to step to music. The watchers may gather around a fireplace and be comfortable on cool evenings.

The Parks
Swings and slides will afford great pleasure to the youngsters. Tennis courts will invite the net artist to try their play against their neighbors. The horseshoe court will be placed at a safe distance from spectators, so whether you are good or not you can get a lot of enjoyment out of that. And for golf enthusiasts, a course is now being planned which it would seem will become one of the most popular nine hole courses in the country.

Everything Provided For – No Extras to Pay
In addition to the one or more cabin sites that it is possible for you to secure for $38.50, you are given, free of any additional charge, life membership in the club now under construction, free use with other Suncrest cabin site owners of the spacious parks, and all their equipment. Think of what it means! A wonderful back country location for your summer cabin—on the very top of a plateau where the air is clean and wholesome. Think of what it means to the wife—and the kiddies—to you, yourself—to get back every week-end, if you like (for it is only one hour’s drive), to rest and health—in SUNCREST. You will make good friends—doubtless some of your present friends are there now. SUNCREST has been built up by groups of friends seeking out-of-door recreation, and we suggest that friends come together in order to select adjacent sites.

SUNCREST is for the benefit of SAN DIEGO SUN readers, and many of them are now enjoying the many benefits of this beautiful mountain resort. The chance to purchase one or more cabin sites in SUNCREST should be viewed by anyone as a very unusual opportunity. Can YOU afford to miss it?

ACT NOW – DON’T WAIT
Come out Sunday—straight east through El Cajon—turn left with the pavement, then take the first road to the right. Watch for signs after you leave El Cajon. Excellent road all the way—if you can’t get up Sunday, call the downtown office, 205 Commonwealth Bldg. Phone 629-79. 

Suncrest soon became a community of 150 homes and many civic improvements including a clubhouse, swimming pool, and playground. C.R. Job, local contractor, built the clubhouse for Suncrest. Also located behind the clubhouse and heading down to what is now Crest School were a set of rings, bars, a shuffleboard court, and a regulation size tennis court. Records indicate, “ A caretaker was hired to look after the holdings, keep the roads passable, insurance, and many other things for both comfort and beauty.”  Dues were set at $5.00 per year. Meetings were held monthly at the clubhouse with all members invited.

In March of 1926, the Suncrest Club was incorporated and by-laws were adopted. As a result, the club took over the water system and clubhouse. It became necessary for a person to be a property owner in Suncrest to be eligible for membership in the club, and to be a club member in order to be entitled to water service. The clubhouse was in use until 1960 when Suncrest, Inc. was dissolved. The Suncrest Clubhouse was later sold and became the Crest Community Church.”

Suncrest soon became a community of 150 homes and many civic improvements including a clubhouse, swimming pool, and playground Records indicate, “ A caretaker was hired to look after the holdings, keep the roads passable, insurance, and many other things for both comfort and beauty.”  Dues were set at $5.00 per year. Meetings were held monthly at the clubhouse with all members invited.

In March of 1926, the Suncrest Club was incorporated and by-laws were adopted. As a result, the club took over the water system and clubhouse. It became necessary for a person to be a property owner in Suncrest to be eligible for membership in the club, and to be a club member in order to be entitled to water service. The clubhouse was in use until 1960 when Suncrest, Inc. was dissolved. The Suncrest Clubhouse was later sold and became the Crest Community Church.

Prior to 1929, the Suncrest, Inc. paid the real estate taxes as no official subdivision was recognized. In that year the County Assessor filed what is call the Assessor’s Arbitrary Map. Fred A. Wilkie made this annexed map. The map was filed with the county recorder at the request of Mr. R.T. Coats on May 27, 1929. From that time on, the individual lots were assessed and each property owner paid his/her own taxes.

      It wasn’t until 1929 that cabin owners were authorized to pipe the water into their buildings. From that point on, there was a real water problem. Excerpts from a bulletin dated August 1929 stated, Cabin owners are authorized to pipe the water into their buildings and to remove water stand pipes. Irrigating with a hose is not permitted on Saturdays, Sundays or holidays. Watering trees, flowers, and shrubs is allowed with a bucket to preserve life during summer months only. It is common knowledge that many owners of property are and have been taking advantage of every convenience and privilege offered in Suncrest without paying anything toward the upkeep. MANAGERS WILL SEE TO IT THAT SUNCREST PROPERTY IS USED BY SUNCREST, INC. MEMBERS ONLY. To act as a party to any plan to defeat the regulations as outlined above will be sufficient cause for suspension of membership privileges in Suncrest, Inc.

Residents were not satisfied merely with water service for their kitchens. Gradually, one after the other, they put in septic tanks and bathroom facilities. Eventually, the Health Department ordered all outhouses removed