San Gabriel in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Joseph Chapman’s Millrace

Photographed By Joseph Castillo, October 26, 2013

1. Joseph Chapman’s Millrace Marker

Inscription. This is the location where the millrace turned due south, carrying water another 200 feet from this point into Chapman’s grist mill, built in 1822-25. The spring-fed water supply that flowed through the millrace came from two sources: Mission Lake to the northwest (now Lacy Park) and La Presa Dam to the northeast (now Sunny Slope Water Co. property). The open zanjas, or ditches, joined together on the west side of the mission quadrangle at Mission Drive. After turning the 13’ 6” diameter vertical wooden wheel which powered the mill, the expended water was led from the tailrace in open trenches to irrigate the mission garden, orange orchard, and 340 acres of rich soil that lay immediately south and east of the mill.

Erected 2013 by The Native Sons of the Golden West, Dwight A. Dutschke, Grand President & Ramona Parlor #109 San Gabriel, Joseph Claro, President.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series list.

Location. 34° 5.785′ N, 118° 6.424′ W. Marker is in San Gabriel, California, in Los Angeles County. Marker is on South

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Junipero Serra Drive, on the right. The marker is in Mission Plaza Park about 200 feet east of South Ramona Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: San Gabriel CA 91776, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Mission San Gabriel Archangel / El Camino Real Door (within shouting distance of this marker); Lt. Colonel Juan Bautista de Anza (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Spanish Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); San Gabriel Mission (within shouting distance of this marker); Chapman’s Mill and Millrace (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named San Gabriel Mission (within shouting distance of this marker); 1776 Overland Immigration Expedition (within shouting distance of this marker); La Casa Vieja de Lopez (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Gabriel.

Regarding Joseph Chapman’s Millrace. The sole remaining section of a masonry millrace built in 1823 for Chapman’s Mill was relocated and restored. Chapman’s Mill was a cornerstone of the agricultural community centered on the old mission. This 20-foot, 15-ton section of masonry waterway was relocated to Plaza Park on the grounds of the mission and installed as an educational exhibit featuring running water, for the many visitors.

Also see . . .

Joseph Chapman’s Millrace marker dedication image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Larry Gertner

2. Joseph Chapman’s Millrace marker dedication

1. Historic Chapman’s Millrace Unveiled at New Home at San Gabriel Mission. Gabrieleno-Tongva tribal members posed for a picture alongside the Chapman family Tuesday morning, just a few feet in front of the historic millrace their ancestors worked together to build nearly 200 years ago. The historic millrace, designed by ex-pirate Joseph Chapman and built in 1820 by Gabrielenos living at the San Gabriel Mission. carried water from nearby rivers to the mission to power a grist mill and irrigate crops, making the mission one of the most successful in California’s mission chain... (Submitted on December 8, 2014, by James King of San Miguel, California.)

2. Opening of the historic Chapman's millrace. The Pond Company blog. (Submitted on November 2, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

NSGW Dedication Team image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Joe Castillo, October 26, 2013

3. NSGW Dedication Team

(l-r)
Joseph Claro (Ramona Parlor #109)
Rosemary Lippman (Ramona Parlor #109)
Grand 1st Vice President Timothy Tullius
Grand President Dwight Dutschke
Past Grand President James Smith

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 8, 2014, by James King of San Miguel, California. This page has been viewed 559 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 8, 2014, by James King of San Miguel, California. 2. submitted on November 2, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3. submitted on December 11, 2014, by James King of San Miguel, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.