About Poway, CA
Located in the north, inland part of San Diego, Poway’s slogan is “The City in the Country”. The name Poway comes from the Kumeyaay language “Pawily”, or “ Pauwai”. Mission San Diego de Alcala documents from 1828 name the valley “Paguay”, meaning “the meeting of little valleys”, or “end of the valley”. For a century, Poway was a stock range for mission and local ranchos. In 1894, records of American settlers show the name “Poway”. At this time, about 800 people lived in Poway, many farming fruits, grain, and dairy products.
In the mid-1950s, a water district was established and developers began building housing. It became a residential community for those who work in and around the San Diego area. In the early 1990s, two of Poway’s largest employers established companies in town, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, and Geico Direct.
Poway has many parks, trails, and a lake. Lake Poway not only serves as a water supply for the residents, but also as a recreational area with fishing, boating, archery, and special events. Poway’s trail system has more than 78 miles for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. The Poway-Midland Railroad is located in Old Poway Park. It is a living history, recreating and preserving railway scenes of the past.