Jacumba Hot Springs, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jacumba Hot Springs
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Central Jacumba on Old Highway 80
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Location of Jacumba in San Diego County, California
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  California |
| County | San Diego |
| Area | |
| • Total | 6.126 sq mi (15.866 km2) |
| • Land | 6.119 sq mi (15.847 km2) |
| • Water | 0.007 sq mi (0.019 km2) 0.12% |
| Elevation | 3,212 ft (979 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 540 |
| • Density | 88.1/sq mi (34.04/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−7 (PDT) |
| ZIP Codes |
91934
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| Area code(s) | 619 |
| FIPS code | 06-37022 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2583040 |
Jacumba Hot Springs (/həˈkuːmbə/ hə-KOOM-bə) is a small community in southeastern San Diego County, California, United States. It is known for its natural hot springs. In 2020, about 540 people lived there. The town is located about 2,829 feet (862 meters) above sea level. In 2013, the town's name was officially changed from Jacumba to Jacumba Hot Springs.
Contents
A Look at Jacumba Hot Springs History
Long ago, the Kumeyaay people lived in the Jacumba area. They were likely drawn to the warm Jacumba hot spring, which is about 104°F (40°C). This is one of many natural hot springs in California's Peninsular Ranges.
In the 1800s, ranchers moved into the area. They often had disagreements with the local people. In 1880, a sad event happened where 15 Kumeyaay people and one White person died. This was connected to claims of cattle being stolen.
Jacumba Becomes a Popular Spot
Around the early 1900s, people started to realize how good natural hot springs were for health and relaxation. The Jacumba hot spring had plenty of water to fill large public baths. You can still see parts of these old baths today. The water has sulfur, but it smells clean and pleasant.
In 1919, a train service called the San Diego and Arizona Eastern Railway connected Jacumba to San Diego. By 1925, the town had a fancy hotel called the Hotel Jacumba. In the 1930s, Jacumba became a top vacation spot. Its population grew to about 1,150 people. Many famous movie stars and celebrities came to Jacumba to relax.
Jacumba stayed a popular place through World War II. However, other hot springs further north, like Murrieta and Palm Springs, started to become popular too. Later, a new highway, Interstate 8, was built two miles away from Jacumba. This caused many businesses in town to close, and the community faced tough economic times.
The Jacumba Hotel closed down and was destroyed in a fire in 1983. Its ruins remained until 1991. Today, you can still see the base of its large central fireplace. The big public baths also closed, and the swimming pool was filled in.
Jacumba's Modern Revival
In the 1980s, the Jacumba Motel was the only hotel left. However, the area still attracted visitors, especially from other countries. The motel eventually got rights to the hot spring and opened a spa.
In 2002, the spa was sold. The new owners planned to make it a resort where people could buy timeshares. It was sold again in 2006 and became a bed and breakfast. The place closed from 2010 to 2013 for a full renovation. It reopened on June 28, 2013, and is now known as the Jacumba Hot Springs Spa and Motel.
Jacumba Hot Springs Geography
The town is in a valley within the Jacumba Mountains. It sits at an altitude of about 2,800 feet (853 meters). The area is dry, getting about 11.8 inches (300 mm) of rain each year.
Jacumba Hot Springs is located right on the Mexico–United States border. There is a small town called Jacume on the Mexican side. The border crossing there closed in 1995. A new, larger border fence now runs through the area. The United States Border Patrol is active here to keep the border safe.
The community covers about 6.1 square miles (15.9 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small amount of water.
Jacumba Hot Springs Population
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2010 | 561 | — | |
| 2020 | 540 | −3.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2010, Jacumba had 561 people. By 2020, the population had slightly decreased to 540.
Most people in Jacumba are White, with a significant number of Hispanic or Latino residents. The population includes people of various backgrounds.
About 25% of the people are under 18 years old. The average age in Jacumba is about 39.9 years. There are slightly more males than females.
There are 216 households in Jacumba. Many households have children. Over half of the homes are owned by the people who live in them, while others are rented.
California Historical Landmark
Near Jacumba, you can find the former site of the Mountain Springs Station. This spot is a California Historical Landmark, number 568.
The landmark tells us that from 1862 to 1870, Peter Larkin and Joe Stancliff used a stone house nearby as a store. Ox teams would pull wagons up a very steep hill from here. Later, a company used the site as a toll road station until 1876. The old stone house is now in ruins and hard to reach because of changes to the roads over time.
Jacumba Airport
Jacumba has a small airport called Jacumba Airport (L78). It has an asphalt runway that is 2,500 feet long.
Images for kids
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Jacumba Hot Springs in the 1940s (California State Library Digital)
See also
In Spanish: Jacumba para niños
