 The city was founded on July 11, 1889 as urban development began.Often known by its supposed initials, "T.J.", and nicknamed "Gateway to Mexico", the city has historically served as a tourist center dating back to the 1880s.The city's name comes from the rancho that Santiago Argüello Moraga established in 1829 on his Mexican land grant, naming it "Rancho Tía Juana".