Chinatown in Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Zanja Madre
Mother Ditch and the History Slugs
| | Los Angeles State Historic Park | |
Photographed by Craig Baker, July 29, 2018
1. Zanja Madre Marker
All California State Parks must have either unique physical or historical assets. In 2000, the fate of this State Park hung partially on the question of whether physical traces of history could really be found here. The game-changing evidence was the piece of crumbling pipe in front of you. It was found one night by two amateur archaeologists.
Call to hear how they found the "Zanja Madre" and made the case for a historic park.
Erected by California State Parks, and local artists. (Marker Number 5.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Hispanic Americans • Indigenous Peoples and Communities.
Location. 34° 4.097′ N, 118° 13.988′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Chinatown. It is at the intersection of Spring Street and Sotello Street, on the left when traveling north on Spring Street. Located in Los Angeles State Historic Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1245 N Spring St, Los Angeles CA 90012, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in California’s 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 Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Welcome to the Graveyard (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); River Station Area (approx. 0.2 miles away);
this page online
More about this marker. The 8-part artists audio tour of Los Angeles State Historic Park can be heard via the website and phone number shown on the marker, if they happen to be working.
This area was a Southern Pacific Railroad freight yard, and River Station, nicknamed The Cornfield. In 1971 it was designated Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument No. 82.
Regarding Zanja Madre. Zanja Madre is Spanish for Mother Ditch. It was the original earthen-walled ditch that carried water from the nearby Los Angeles River to the plaza of El Pueblo de Los Angeles. The Spanish-Colonial settlers and local Native Americans constructed it beginning in 1791. During the 1800s the system of earthen ditches grew to nearly 50 miles in length, later being
Photographed by Craig Baker, April 1, 2023
2. Zanja Madre Marker
The marker has faded.
This exposed section of abandoned pipe was well-known to local residents during the late 1900s.
Photographed by Craig Baker, July 29, 2018
3. Zanja Madre Marker
The abandoned brick pipe is across the tracks, at the base of the concrete wall.
Photographed by Craig Baker, July 29, 2018
4. Exposed Pipe
Photographed by Craig Baker, July 29, 2018
5. Viewed From Above.
Photographed by Craig Baker, March 26, 2023
6. Historic Cobblestone Roadway
Located near the south end of the park are hand-chiseled 19th century granite paving stones. Railroad workers installed these cobbles as an all-weather surface at the railroads River Station freight house.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 30, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 1,776 times since then and 96 times this year. Last updated on January 10, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1. submitted on July 30, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2. submitted on April 3, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 30, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 6. submitted on March 30, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
