Dunsmuir in Siskiyou County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

The Alexander Dunsmuir Fountain

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 29, 2010

1. The Alexander Dunsmuir Fountain Marker

Inscription. In 1886. Alexander Dunsmuir, the son of wealthy coal baron Robert Dunsmuir from Vancouver, British Columbia, visited this area while en route to San Francisco. Alexander was charmed by the rugged beauty of the region and made a proposition to the city fathers: if they would change the name of the town to Dunsmuir, he would donate a fountain.

Originally, Dunsmuir was called Pusher because of the need to use helper engines to move trains north due to the heavy 2.2% grade and a 14 degree curve at Cantara Loop between Dunsmuir and Mount Shasta.

The original fountain was built near the railroad depot, however Alexander Dunsmuir never saw it completed. It was dismantled in the 60's by the Southern Pacific Railroad. In the early 70's a new basin was created from the original plans, and the fountain was relocated here at the entrance to the Dunsmuir City Park and Botanical Gardens.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1886.

Location. 41° 13.482′ N, 122° 16.631′ W. Marker is in Dunsmuir, California, in Siskiyou County. It can be reached from Dunsmuir Avenue north of Siskiyou Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4841Dunsmuir Avenue, Dunsmuir CA 96025, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on California’s Modoc Plateau,

in the Shasta Cascade,

and in the Klamath Mountains.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and specifically in the Pacific Northwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

in the Cascade Range,

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

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7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Locomotive 1727 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Babe Ruth Played Here (about 300 feet away); Upper Soda Springs (approx. ¼ mile away); Dunsmuir World War Memorial (approx. 0.9 miles away); A Relic from the Old Logging Days (approx. 5.8 miles away); Battle Rock (approx. 5.8 miles away); Berryvale Post Office (approx. 6.3 miles away); Strawberry Valley Stage Station (approx. 6.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dunsmuir.

Also see . . . Alexander Dunsmuir - Businessman & Edna Hopper - Floradora Girl. "Lives of the Dead: Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland" entry (Submitted on November 22, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

The Alexander Dunsmuir Fountain and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 29, 2010

2. The Alexander Dunsmuir Fountain and Marker

The marker is visible here, picture right, at the base of the tree. It's an easy marker to miss.

Alexander Dunsmuir image. Click for full size.

The Dunsmuir Family, Unknown

3. Alexander Dunsmuir

Credits. This page was last revised on May 5, 2021. It was originally submitted on February 25, 2011, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 2,390 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 25, 2011, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 3. submitted on November 22, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.