Did you know that at one time Poway was once part of Mexico?  In 1846, President Polk declared war with Mexico over border disagreements in Texas.  The war spread to California.  General Kearny, the leader of the U.S. Army was sent to San Diego to conquer California.   On the way to California from New Mexico he heard California had already been conquered.   Based on that information General Kearny sent 2/3 of his men back to New Mexico.

Then, on Dec. 6, 1846, with only 100 men with him, he was surprised by a troop of Californios led by Andres Pico in the San Pasqual Valley just north of Poway.  During the battle the Americans lost 18 men and had to retreat to the small hills near what is now Rancho Bernardo.

After four days of on and off fighting the Americans were rescued by troops from San Diego after Kit Carson, an Indian, and another soldier sneaked there to find reinforcements. They took them to hide on Mule Hill. 

Even though General Kearny lost this battle, later the United States won the war against Mexico.  In January 1847 the Mexican army in this area surrendered to General Kearny.  That meant that the United States got all the Mexican owned land between Texas and the Pacific Ocean.   And that is how the Poway area became part of the United States of America.