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

San Gabriel Mission Dam

1821-1822

— La Presa —

San Gabriel Mission Dam Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, January 22, 2020

1. San Gabriel Mission Dam Marker

Inscription.
Built by Joseph Chapman (Jose el Ingles), a woodman from Maine, taken prisoner during a pirate raid near Santa Barbara in 1818. He also helped construct the new Plaza Church in Los Angeles, and in 1819-1820 he built a grist mill at Mission Santa Inez. In 1821-1822 he erected a new flour mill at San Gabriel Mission with Indian labor furnished by Father Jose Maria Zalvides and supplied it with water from this dam.

Erected 1952 by Native Daughters of the Golden West.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Industry & Commerce • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1821.

Location. 34° 7.804′ N, 118° 5.106′ W. Marker is in Pasadena, California, in Los Angeles County. It is on La Presa Drive north of Huntington Drive, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pasadena CA 91107, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater

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Los Angeles

and in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Michael White Adobe (approx. 0.8 miles away); Chihuahuita School (approx. 1.4 miles away); Camellia Japonica ‘California’ (approx. 1.6 miles away); The Huntington Flagpole (approx. 1.6 miles away); Queensland Kauri (approx. 1.7 miles away); The Historic Rose Garden Tea Room (approx. 1.7 miles away); Dry Landscape Garden (approx. 1.8 miles away); Japanese Heritage Shōya House (approx. 1.8 miles away).

Regarding San Gabriel Mission Dam. The Native American settlement of Akuuronga was likely located near “La Presa” (The Dam), a stone dam built in 1821 to serve the Mission San Gabriel. Fed by an artesian spring, the site was an ideal settlement location.
The area had a long occupation

San Gabriel Mission Dam and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, January 22, 2020

2. San Gabriel Mission Dam and Marker

history: it was likely a prehistoric floral resource gathering and processing site, a late prehistoric village, and a 19th century rancheria for Sunny Slope Vineyard. Archaeological investigations uncovered milling stones, hammerstones, and debitage (debris found where stone tools are made), as well as several stone hearths.
The property is owned by the Sunny Slope Water Company, since 1895.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. — Chapman’s Mill and Millrace, whose water supply came from this dam.

San Gabriel Mission Dam image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, January 22, 2020

3. San Gabriel Mission Dam

Viewed through the fence.

Photographed by Adam Margolis, April 16, 2026

4. San Gabriel Mission Dam Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 24, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 2,674 times since then and 184 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 24, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 4. submitted on April 23, 2026, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.