January 26, 1832 Born in Hopkinton, New Hampshire
1857 Married Sarah Currier
1861 Moved to San Francisco with his brothers and had success
1868 Moved to San Diego, buys La Rancho de la Nacion, built home
1868 to 1887 Developed National City and negotiated for a railroad
1888 Sweetwater Dam is completed and railroad negotiations failed
1894 Financial problems began
1897 Lost his property and home
1904 Attended St. Louis Expo
August 11, 1913 Died in National City, California
1857 Married Sarah Currier
1861 Moved to San Francisco with his brothers and had success
1868 Moved to San Diego, buys La Rancho de la Nacion, built home
1868 to 1887 Developed National City and negotiated for a railroad
1888 Sweetwater Dam is completed and railroad negotiations failed
1894 Financial problems began
1897 Lost his property and home
1904 Attended St. Louis Expo
August 11, 1913 Died in National City, California
Early Life, 1832-1867
Frank Augustus Kimball was born in January 26, 1832 on a farm owned by his father, Asa, in Contoocook Village, named after an ancient tribe in Hopkinton, New Hampshire. He grew up in a large family of five boys and two girls. All through their lives, the boys grew up learning about handling finances, how to farm and carpentry. Frank even had his own carpentry shop at the time and had helped to build houses, churches and schools for his small town. In 1857, at the age of 25, and after about two years or courtship, Frank married the love of his life, Sarah Currier. Then, in 1861, Frank and two of his brothers, Warren and Levi, sailed to the young State of California and ran a construction business in Oakland. By 1867, Frank was successful and rich, but was having a problem with lung infections. To ease his symptoms his doctor suggested moving to a location with a much warmer and dryer climate, so he migrated south to San Diego.
Frank Augustus Kimball was born in January 26, 1832 on a farm owned by his father, Asa, in Contoocook Village, named after an ancient tribe in Hopkinton, New Hampshire. He grew up in a large family of five boys and two girls. All through their lives, the boys grew up learning about handling finances, how to farm and carpentry. Frank even had his own carpentry shop at the time and had helped to build houses, churches and schools for his small town. In 1857, at the age of 25, and after about two years or courtship, Frank married the love of his life, Sarah Currier. Then, in 1861, Frank and two of his brothers, Warren and Levi, sailed to the young State of California and ran a construction business in Oakland. By 1867, Frank was successful and rich, but was having a problem with lung infections. To ease his symptoms his doctor suggested moving to a location with a much warmer and dryer climate, so he migrated south to San Diego.
Building up National City, 1867-1888
With his brothers, Levi and Warren, Frank bought the 26,632 1/2 acre Rancho de la Nacion for about $30,000. Frank then built his home, the first in the area with running water, on the Northwestern portion of the land. He then dubbed that portion of land, "National City". After bringing Sarah to stay with him, Frank then began to attract potential residents who would buy parcels of land from him in exchange for either cash, or for various jobs. Soon, wells began to be dug and roads were be graded, the first one being "A. Ave." before being renamed National Avenue. Exploring the area, Frank discovered what he would call "Lagoona Bonita", which would become the future community of Bonita. He also found a gorge that he thought could be dammed to make a reservoir. As houses were being raised, Frank would have them coated with a layer of lime. They collected cattle and by 1870, herded sheep. What was originally called "Salt Creek" has now become Paradise Valley. Lumber was now being shipped from San Francisco's massive ports, to National City's single dock.
Frank knew that the key to bringing people to National City was to welcome both a reservoir and the railroad in, so as early as 1869, he began working on those issues. He and his brothers started the Kimball Water Co., which drilled wells and sold the water siphoned from them. When the first person to die in National City died, Frank and his brothers built a cemetery to bury her in, the next day.
He also sponsored the building of churches across the city, the first being St. Matthew's Episcopal Church
With his brothers, Levi and Warren, Frank bought the 26,632 1/2 acre Rancho de la Nacion for about $30,000. Frank then built his home, the first in the area with running water, on the Northwestern portion of the land. He then dubbed that portion of land, "National City". After bringing Sarah to stay with him, Frank then began to attract potential residents who would buy parcels of land from him in exchange for either cash, or for various jobs. Soon, wells began to be dug and roads were be graded, the first one being "A. Ave." before being renamed National Avenue. Exploring the area, Frank discovered what he would call "Lagoona Bonita", which would become the future community of Bonita. He also found a gorge that he thought could be dammed to make a reservoir. As houses were being raised, Frank would have them coated with a layer of lime. They collected cattle and by 1870, herded sheep. What was originally called "Salt Creek" has now become Paradise Valley. Lumber was now being shipped from San Francisco's massive ports, to National City's single dock.
Frank knew that the key to bringing people to National City was to welcome both a reservoir and the railroad in, so as early as 1869, he began working on those issues. He and his brothers started the Kimball Water Co., which drilled wells and sold the water siphoned from them. When the first person to die in National City died, Frank and his brothers built a cemetery to bury her in, the next day.
He also sponsored the building of churches across the city, the first being St. Matthew's Episcopal Church
Financial Troubles and Final Years, 1894-1913
Legacy, 1913-Present