Barrio Logan, in southeast San Diego Central, was settled in the late 1800s. Its population increased in the early 1900s as Mexican citizens immigrated to the area to escape the Mexican revolution and Mexico's poor economy.  At one point the area was the second largest Mexican-American community on the West Coast with a population of about 20,000. 

The community prospered during World War II with the increased jobs available to the residents in the San Diego shipyards and defense industries.  However, after the war, the zoning in the area changed to industrial bringing junk yards and other businesses.  Interstate 5 bisected the Barrio in 1963 and the Coronado Bay Bridge's pylons and on ramps caused more dislocation in 1969.  The population of the area declined to around 5,000 during these construction projects.