Downtown Riverside in Riverside County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Famous Water Buffalo

Famouse Water Buffalo Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Volt Craft, July 6, 2026

1. Famouse Water Buffalo Marker

Inscription. Designed and Manufactured by Food Machinery and Chemical Corporation

Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World II.

Location. 33° 59.81′ N, 117° 22.866′ W. Memorial is in Riverside, California, in Riverside County. It is in Downtown Riverside. It is on Dexter Drive, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 2979 Dexter Drive, Riverside CA 92501, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in Greater Los Angeles,

in the Inland Empire,

and in the Peninsular 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 walking distance of this marker: Civilian War Workers Memorial (a few steps from this marker); David and Miriam Bell House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Piddington House

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(approx. 0.3 miles away); Benjamin Rockhold House (approx. 0.3 miles away); C.O. Evans House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Cree-Criddle House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Rotary Centennial Grove (approx. 0.4 miles away); Fairmount Park Bandshell (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Riverside.

Also see . . .
1. Fairmount Park, Riverside (2002).

This is a war memorial consisting of an amphibious landing vehicle or "Water Buffalo" manufactured in the City of Riverside. The landmark was dedicated in 1946, and the pedestal on which it rests was built in 1949.

The "Water Buffalo," an amphibious landing vehicle, was manufactured primarily in Riverside by FMC (Food Machinery Corporation) during World War II. Used in the European War effort, 11,251 were built, over half in Riverside. On Veteran's Day 1946, a ceremony was held in Fairmount Park declaring a Water Buffalo acquired by the City Park and Recreation Department as a war memorial. Three years after the 1946 dedication, the City built a pedestal for the Water Buffalo on the Lake Evans shore in front of the American Legion Clubhouse. This pedestal
Photographed by Volt Craft, July 6, 2026

2. Famouse Water Buffalo Marker
is graced with a plaque which reads: "To the civilian war workers of Riverside-Veterans of the Battle of Production and Full Partners in Victory."

(Submitted on July 8, 2026, by Volt Craft of Riverside, California.)

2. Cultural Heritage Board Item (1985).

The "Water Buffalo," an amphibious landing vehicle, was manufactured primarily in Riverside by FMC (Food Machinery Corporation) during World War II. Used in the European War effort, 11,251 were built, over half in Riverside. Veteran's Day 1946, a ceremony was held in Fairmount Park declaring a Water Buffalo acquired by the City Park and Recreation Department as a war memorial. Three years after the 1946 dedication, the City built a pedestal for the Water Buffalo on the Lake Evans shore in front of the American Legion Clubhouse. This pedestal is graced with a plaque which reads: "To the civilian war workers of Riverside Veterans of the Battle of Production and Full Partners in Victory."

(Submitted on July 8, 2026, by Volt Craft of Riverside, California.)

3. Fairmount Park: Riverside's Treasure (2005).

Important Dates

1946 - Water Buffalo

The "Water Buffalo,"
Photographed by Volt Craft, July 6, 2026

3. Famouse Water Buffalo Marker
an amphibious landing vehicle, was manufactured primarily in Riverside by FMC (Food Machinery Corporation) during World War II. Used in the European War effort, 11,251 were built, over half of them in Riverside. The vehicles were run into the lake down a ramp near the west end, to test them for water tightness and in preparation for sending to the troops. On Veterans Day in 1946, a ceremony was held in Fairmount Park declaring the Water Buffalo which had been acquired by the City Park and Recreation Department as a war memorial. Three years after the 1946 dedication, the City built a pedestal for the Water Buffalo on the Lake Evans shore in front of the American Legion Clubhouse. This pedestal is graced with a plaque

(Submitted on July 8, 2026, by Volt Craft of Riverside, California.)

Photographed by Volt Craft, July 6, 2026

4. Famouse Water Buffalo Marker

American Legion - To the civilian war workers of Riverside and the Nation-Veterans of the Battle of production and full partners in victory. Erected November 11, 1949

Photographed by Volt Craft, July 6, 2026

5. Famouse Water Buffalo Marker

Famous Water Buffalo Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Volt Craft, July 6, 2026

6. Famous Water Buffalo Marker

Water Buffalo located in top right of map

Credits. This page was last revised on July 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 8, 2026, by Volt Craft of Riverside, California. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 8, 2026, by Volt Craft of Riverside, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.