Poway is located in San Diego’s North County Inland. Located just east of I-15.
"The name of the beautiful valley of Poway (Pauwai) is derived from the language of
the Diegueno and Luiseno Indians who roamed the area for several hundred years before
the Spaniards came. Traces of these Indians still remain. Metates (grinding stones) were
found frequently by early settlers and are occasionally discovered today. Small boys with a
talent for exploration often come home with an arrowhead or two. Curious Indian rock
paintings in the area provide a rich field study for scientists.
Documents of Mission San Diego de Alcala record the name of the valley as"Paguay" as early as 1828. It appeared as such on maps of Rancho San Bernardo in 1841
and in Rand-McNally Atlases as late as 1869, one year before the first village post office
was established.
Although there is a disagreement on the meaning of "Paguay," the generally
accepted translation signifies "the meeting of little valleys" or "end of the valley."
the above is copied from the Boy Scout Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge packet click here for entire paper
