History of The Mile

1904

National City's automotive heritage began in 1904 when Ralph Granger bought his first car. It was the first motor car in the city. Granger was one of National City's most prominent citizens. His wealth had come from rich silver mines in Colorado. National Street was not yet paved for his new 'horseless carriage" but the thoroughfare had been heavily traveled. The dirt road was well known by the Spanish explorers, missionaries and pioneers who had traveled its ruts northward for a hundred years. 'El Real para de Frontera", was the earliest name of National Street, according to the early maps. Its name would eventually become National Avenue, then National City Boulevard. National City was founded in 1868, and by the time it was incorporated, in 1887, National Street was the city's main thoroughfare. The motor car was quickly accepted by the pioneers of National City. Frank Kimball, founder of National City, wrote of an early auto trip around the bay to Coronado. The journey took two and a half hours. John Boal, of the Land and Town Company, traded his buggy for a new "Stanley Steamer". The "Steamer" had a reputation for great hill climbing ability, perfect for the mountainous terrain of the nearby Cuyamaca Mountains. National City physician, Dr. Johnson, raised clouds of dust around the city as he rushed to make his house calls in his Reo "Run-About."

1904 • 1906 • 1920 • 1941 • 1955 • 1965 • 1970 • 1990s • Development