By Debbie L. Sklar / Special to the OB Rag Today, Encanto is one of southeastern San Diego's best-known communities, with a history that reflects both the opportunities and challenges experienced by many urban neighborhoods. First promoted to homebuyers in the early 1900s, developers envisioned a place of orchards, small farms, and country living connected to downtown by rail. The name itself—Encanto, the Spanish word for "enchantment" or "charm"—dates to 1889 and reflected the area's appeal as an attractive place to settle. From its rural beginnings to its evolution into one of southeastern San Diego's most recognizable neighborhoods, Encanto's history mirrors San Diego's own growth. Here are eight facts that helped shape the community. 1. It Began as a Community of "Suburban Homes and Small Farms" When the Encanto Heights subdivision was created in 1907, developers promoted it as a place for "suburban homes and small farms." Buyers could purchase five- and 10-acre parcels where they could grow orchards, tend gardens,s and even keep livestock. It was a far cry from the suburban neighborhood people know today.