Near Corona in Riverside County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Serrano Tanning Vats
Erected 1981 by State Department of Parks & Recreation, Temescal Water Company Hydro Conduit Corp., Glen Ivy Hot Springs, Phil Porretta family and Billy Holcomb Chapter of E Clampus Vitus. (Marker Number 186.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Places • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the E Clampus Vitus series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1819.
Location. 33° 46.683′ N, 117° 29.157′ W. Marker is near Corona, California, in Riverside County. Marker is on Temescal Canyon Road near Interstate 15, on the right when traveling east. The restoration of the tanning vats is about 8 miles south of Corona in Temescal Canyon. Exit I-15 at Temescal Canyon Road. On the east side of the freeway, about 150 feet south of the road, is a clearing with the vats and the plaque. Touch for map . Marker is at or near this postal address: 23255 Temescal Canyon Road, Corona CA 92883, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Tanning Vat (here, next to this marker); Site of Third Serrano Adobe (a few steps from this marker); Old Temescal Road (approx. one mile away); Site of Butterfield Stage Station (approx. 2.9 miles away); Silverado (approx. 6 miles away); Corona Historic Preservation Society (approx. 7 miles away); Corona History (approx. 7.6 miles away); Corona Founders (approx. 7.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Corona.
More about this marker. It was mainly through the efforts and research of Phil Porretta, XNGH-1987 that the Chapter has erected the California Registered Historical Landmark Plaques at this site. Near the plaques is a marker made by the Boy Scouts of America in 1962. Their marker was remounted as part of our restoration. The most notable tanning vats measured about 7' by 8' by 3' deep and about 6' by 6' by 2' deep. These vats were restored and their authenticity as artifacts verified by a staff member of the Southwest Museum.
SOURCE: Billy Holcomb Chapter 1069 35th Anniversary Plaque Book by Phillip Holdaway
Regarding Serrano Tanning Vats. This site was designated as California Registered Historical Landmark No.186 on June 20, 1935.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 3, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 14, 2010, by Sharon N. Goodman of Round Rock, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,722 times since then and 52 times this year. Last updated on December 18, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. Photos: 1. submitted on July 3, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 18, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. 6, 7. submitted on April 5, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.