where is cowles mountain located
The mountain is named after George A. Cowles, a 1870s-80s rancher and early businessperson in southwestern San Diego County. For many years Cowles Mountain was locally known as S Mountain. In 1931, 500 students from San Diego State University (SDSU) painted a 400-foot-tall (120 m) letter S on the side of the mountain, after which it took on its popular name.