History on The Escondido Chamber of Commerce
The Escondido Board of Trade was the pre-runner of the Escondido Chamber that was founded in 1886. The name was later changed to the Escondido Chamber of Commerce in 1895. During the early period of the Chamber the Directors met at the Lemon Packing House at Tulip and West Valley Parkway. In 1919 the Chamber built their first building at Maple and Grand. The architecture was Spanish style.
In the early 1950s the building was moved to 5th and Escondido Blvd. where it remained until the late 1950s when it was demolished and a new building was built on Escondido City property that was located on Broadway and leased to the Chamber for $1.00 a year. In the year 2000 the Chamber purchased the property from the City of Escondido at a greatly reduced price providing the Chamber would build a new building at this location. This new building became a reality in 2005.
The first annual meeting was held in 1911 where they elected the first Chairman. This was almost 100 years ago.