WELCOME TO THE JULIAN COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT (JCSD)
The Julian Community Services District or JCSD is a Public Agency formed for the purposes of supplying water to consumers in the 271-acre area of downtown Julian, California. The JCSD was formed in 1964 under the laws of the State of California. The JCSD operates the District on behalf of all its water customers. JCSD Map PDF, Julian, CA
The JCSD Board sets JCSD policy to manage all property and equipment within the boundaries of the District (See JCSD Map above and overlay below), including wells, tanks, pipelines, connections, valves, gates, fences, pumps, chlorination stations and other property. The JCSD Board hires employees to manage and operate the water distribution system. The JCSD Board manages water being turned on, turned off, and regulated. The District Board directs the maintenance, repair, and replacement of JCSD property and equipment, and manages and supervises inspection of any part of the supply system. Though the District makes every effort to provide a smooth orderly flow of clean clear water to its customers, it cannot guarantee delivery of water and assumes no liability for any damages due to interruption of water delivery. Here at the JCSD, we caution all water users whose needs or business demands an uninterrupted supply of water to provide for adequate emergency supplies.
MEET OUR JULIAN COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT MANAGEMENT TEAM AND EMPLOYEES
- Harry (Buddy) Seifert ~ JCSD General Manager/Chief Operator
- Lauren Sexton ~ JCSD Office Manager/Bookkeeper
- Rodney Doss ~ JCSD Distribution Operator
- Josue Vega ~ JCSD Maintenance
ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY IN JULIAN, CA
The Julian Community Services District provides water to residents who live here and businesses located within the historic small town of Julian, a 271-acre community tucked in the mountains where State Routes 78 and 79 merge. Population is about 508 according to the 2010 census; the water district has 208 customers.
Once a rowdy old west town, Julian has a colorful history dating back to 1869, when gold was discovered in the surrounding mountains and streams. Gold was the lure, but many people loved the beauty of the mountain scenery and decided to stay and become farmers who took advantage of the town’s cold-winter climate to grow prize-winning apples. Eventually the apples became the Julian Gold that lured farmers and visitors. In the fall, the apple industry draws thousands of visitors who stroll through the orchards and pick their own fruit, sip locally pressed apple cider, and pick up a few Julian apple pies.
In the 100+ years since the gold discovery, Julian has become a popular tourism destination that draws visitors year-round to savor fabulous apple pies, stroll the frontier style streets and shops, hike or bike mountain trails, visit two gold mines, enjoy cool breezes, and admire fall colors. In Julian, water is a treasured commodity: a valued resource for cleanliness and nutrition for residents and tourists, supporting local agriculture and forests and fighting fires when needed.
The Julian Community Services District is committed to meeting the competing demands of this golden treasure.
NOTE: For details of the JCSD Board Official Rules and Regulations, click Here
ABOUT HISTORIC JULIAN, CA
Julian is a historic gold mining town located approximately one hour east of San Diego. It is a quaint mountain retreat with four distinct seasons: Spring brings the blossoming of many flowers including daffodils and lilacs; Summer is perfect for hiking and star-gazing; Fall is famous for the apple harvest and fall colors; while Winter brings snowfall and bright, crisp days.
Confederated, veterans from Georgia headed West to seek their fortunes in a new, mostly unsettled land. Among these were cousins, Drue Bailey and Mike Julian, who found a lush meadow between the Volcan Mountains and the Cuyamacas to their liking.
The town was named Julian, in honor of Mike Julian, who later was elected San Diego County Assessor. The town was never big, at the most it boasted a population of about 600 — more than reside in the historic district today. Rumor has it that Julian almost became San Diego’s county seat.
A cattleman, Fred Coleman, found the first fleck of gold in a creek in early 1870. It was San Diego’s first and only gold rush. The gold rush was short lived, lasting from 1870 until around 1900, with some mining still later on. A local resident’s Grandfather is listed as a hoist operator at the Golden Chariot mine on his WWI enlistment papers. But the pioneers stayed and began farming the rich land.
While many crops were planted and animals pastured, Julian proved to be a fine place to grow apples. Julian apples, “Twenty-one varieties of well grown and carefully selected apples”, received the Bronze Wilder Medal, a top honor, from the American Pomological Society at the 1907 Tri-centennial Exposition held in Jamestown, Virginia. Apples continue to be produced in Julian. Their sweet, fresh flavor lures thousands to the mountains each fall, when visitors will find fruit stands overflowing with crisp fruit, homemade cider and other delicacies, and enjoy U-picking.
Many of the early pioneers are buried in the Julian Haven of Rest cemetery, located on the hill just North of town. The cemetery is open to the public.
Although famous for its apples and superb apple pie, Julian has become the center for visitors who wish to stay in the mountains but take day trips to the nearby casinos, the Anza Borrego Desert State Park and the coast. It is known as the B&B capital of Southern California with its romantic atmosphere, and is also fast becoming a great destination for families, hikers, weddings and corporate retreats.
Specialty shops line the historic streets, and the attractions are unique, ranging from wineries to gold mines to a wolf preserve. With a year-round calendar of unique events including the Old Time Melodrama, Gold Rush Days, a 4th of July parade and the Grape Stomp Festa, etc., Julian offers plenty of old fashioned entertainment for couples, families and groups of all ages.