Harbison Canyon, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Harbison Canyon
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Location in San Diego County and the state of California
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 Harbison Canyon
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  California |
| County | San Diego |
| Area | |
| • Total | 10.059 sq mi (26.052 km2) |
| • Land | 10.059 sq mi (26.052 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0 km2) 0% |
| Elevation | 906 ft (276 m) |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 4,048 |
| • Density | 402.43/sq mi (155.382/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (PST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP code |
92019
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| Area code(s) | 619 |
| FIPS code | 06-32044 |
| GNIS feature IDs | 1660717, 2408350 |
Harbison Canyon is a community located in San Diego County, California. It's known as a "census-designated place" (CDP). This means it's an area identified by the U.S. Census Bureau for collecting statistics, but it doesn't have its own city government like a regular town or city.
In 2020, about 4,048 people lived in Harbison Canyon. This was a small increase from 3,841 people counted in 2010.
Contents
Geography of Harbison Canyon
Harbison Canyon is nestled in a valley between the communities of Crest and Alpine. Most maps show the community near the intersection of Harbison Canyon Road and Frances Drive.
Even though Harbison Canyon is a distinct community, mail sent there uses the address of nearby El Cajon. The entire area of the Harbison Canyon CDP covers about 10.1 square miles (26.1 square kilometers), and all of it is land.
People Living in Harbison Canyon
The population of Harbison Canyon has grown over the years.
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2000 | 3,645 | — | |
| 2010 | 3,841 | 5.4% | |
| 2020 | 4,048 | 5.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Harbison Canyon in 2010
During the 2010 census, 3,841 people lived in Harbison Canyon. Most of the residents, about 88.6%, were White. There were also smaller percentages of African American, Native American, Asian, and Pacific Islander residents. About 16.2% of the people identified as Hispanic or Latino.
Most people lived in regular homes. The average household had about 2.86 people, and the average family had about 3.19 people.
The ages of people living in Harbison Canyon varied. About 22.3% were under 18 years old, and 10.8% were 65 years or older. The average age was 42.4 years.
Harbison Canyon in 2000
In the year 2000, Harbison Canyon had 3,645 residents. The racial makeup was similar to 2010, with about 90.67% White residents. About 10.70% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
About 37.3% of households had children under 18 living there. The average household size was 2.86 people.
The median age in 2000 was 38 years. About 27.4% of the population was under 18, and 8.1% was 65 or older.
History of Harbison Canyon
John Stewart Harbison: The Beekeeper King
The community of Harbison Canyon is named after John Stewart Harbison. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1826. John followed in his father's footsteps and became a beekeeper. He later moved to California, bringing 110 colonies of bees with him on a ship in 1869.
In 1874, John Harbison and his family settled in a small valley near the Sweetwater River, east of San Diego. This valley soon became known as Harbison Canyon. Within just seven years, he became the largest honey producer in the world! He managed between two thousand and three thousand beehives, which was a huge operation at the time.
John Harbison's success helped make San Diego County the top honey-producing county in California by 1874. This, in turn, made California the leading honey-producing state in the entire country. He also invented new tools and methods for beekeeping, which greatly improved the science of bee culture. John Harbison, often called the "King of the Beekeepers," passed away in 1912 at the age of 86.
Major Wildfires
Harbison Canyon has faced tough times due to wildfires. It was hit by the Laguna Fire in 1970. Then, on October 26, 2003, the community was devastated again by the Cedar Fire. This was one of the worst wildfires in California's history.
The Cedar Fire destroyed 370 out of 420 homes in Harbison Canyon. Many homes were still being rebuilt years later. The community received a lot of attention from the news media. Important leaders like Governor Gray Davis, Governor-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger, and even President George W. Bush visited Harbison Canyon to see the damage and offer support. President Bush arrived by helicopter, landing at Shadow Hills Elementary School.
Many organizations helped the community rebuild. One notable group was the New York Says Thank You Foundation. This group was formed to return the kindness shown to New Yorkers after the September 11 attacks. Since 2003, the Harbison Canyon Lions Club has also helped with rebuilding efforts in other places across the U.S. that have faced disasters.
Attractions in Harbison Canyon
One of the best-known spots in Harbison Canyon is Old Ironsides County Park. This park is a 3.6-acre area with many shaded trees, managed by the San Diego County Parks and Recreation Department.
The park is located at 326 Harbison Canyon Road, El Cajon, CA 92020. It's open from sunrise to sunset. Old Ironsides County Park has a playground, a basketball court, picnic tables (some covered), restrooms, and a community hall. This hall is used for meetings by different community groups.
Sometimes, ancient items from the Kumeyaay people, who lived in this area long ago, are found near the stream that flows through the park and canyon.
See also
In Spanish: Harbison Canyon (California) para niños
