Near Hesperia in San Bernardino County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Hesperia’s Original Water Source

1886

Photographed by Craig Baker, February 7, 2021

1. Hesperia’s Original Water Source Marker

Inscription. In 1886, a rock monument was placed near here by the Hesperia Land and Water Company. Required by law, the monument gave notice that 5,000 miners inches of water per minute was to be taken from this point for use in Hesperia, enough water for 500,000 people. This blessing of ample water assured non-stop growth for the ten homes soon to be served by the Land and Water Company. The placing of the first monument legally assured Hesperia of having water. The placing of this second monument here is a thank you to those who had the foresight to protect Hesperia's water source.

Erected 1995 by Hesperia Recreation and Park District. (Marker Number 6.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Natural Resources • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1886.

Location. 34° 21.074′ N, 117° 14.874′ W. Marker is near Hesperia, California, in San Bernardino County. It is on Arrowhead Lake Road north of Welsh Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hesperia CA 92345, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles,

in the Peninsular Ranges,

and specifically in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also in the American Southwest.

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 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Atongai Indian Village (here, next to this marker); Mojave Indian Trail (approx. 2.3 miles away); Holcomb Valley Road

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(approx. 4 miles away); Las Flores Ranch / Guapiabit / This Fenced Lane / Mojave Trail (approx. 5.1 miles away); Original Water Supply Ditch (approx. 5.1 miles away); Las Flores Ranch Barn (approx. 5.2 miles away); Old School House (approx. 5.6 miles away); Walters Store & House (approx. 5.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hesperia.

Regarding Hesperia’s Original Water Source. Western placer miners measure water in miner’s inches, the quantity of water that will flow in one minute through an opening one inch square. In California, as established by law, 40 miner’s inches equals 1 cubic foot per second.

The original water supply system included a 5-mile open ditch from Deep Creek, and another 7 miles of 14" riveted pipe, upgraded to a 30" pipe in 1912.

Photographed by Craig Baker, February 7, 2021

2. Hesperia’s Original Water Source Marker

The Atongai Indian Village marker is on the same monument. The horizontal line on the hill in the background is the old aqueduct.

Photographed by Craig Baker, February 7, 2021

3. Hesperia’s Original Water Source Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on February 8, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 890 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 8, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3. submitted on February 9, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.