Editing Santee, California (section)

==History==
The region was the homeland of the [[Kumeyaay people]]. These original residents established the village of ''Sinyeweche'' on the banks of the San Diego River in the present-day Santee area.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://sdrc.ca.gov/docs/Minan_8.pdf |title= The San Diego River: A Natural, Historic, and Recreational Resource |work= Sdrc.ca.gov |access-date= February 18, 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101111170943/http://sdrc.ca.gov/docs/Minan_8.pdf |archive-date= November 11, 2010 |url-status= live }}</ref>

In 1877, [[George A. Cowles]], a pioneer rancher and businessperson, purchased {{Convert|4,000|acre}} to develop his vineyards. The area became known as Cowlestown and was linked to the Cuyamaca Railroad.<ref name=":1">{{cite web |date=April 13, 2024 |title=Santee: A Look At the Past |url=https://www.cityofsanteeca.gov/how-do-i/santee-s-history |url-status= |archive-url= |access-date=April 13, 2024 |website=City of Santee}}</ref>

The town was later renamed to Santee in 1893 after [[Milton Santee]], the second husband of Jennie Blodgett, whose first husband was [[George A. Cowles]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.ci.santee.ca.us/Index.aspx?page=22 |title= The City of Santee: Santee's History |website= Ci.santee.ca.us |date= March 3, 2014 |access-date= February 18, 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081027104719/http://www.ci.santee.ca.us/Index.aspx?page=22 |archive-date= October 27, 2008 |url-status= dead }}</ref>

In 1980, residents voted in favor of incorporation after voting against it just three years earlier, giving rise to the city of Santee.<ref name=":1" />