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

Pozos de San Juan de Dios

Public Domain

1. Pozos de San Juan de Dios Marker

Inscription. On March 8, 1776, Fr. Francis Garces, OFM, on his most famous journey of over 2,000 miles from Mission San Xavier Del Bac, Tucson, Arizona, to Mission San Gabriel, California, rested here and named these waterholes "St. John of God Springs", (Marl Springs), and on the return journey passed through here, May 22, same year.

Erected 1972 by Hospitaller Brothers of St. John of God, St. Mary Desert Valley Hospital, and the San Bernardino County Museum.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Mojave Road (Old Government Road) series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1923.

Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 35° 10.147′ N, 115° 38.891′ W. Marker was near Rainbow Wells, California, in San Bernardino County. It could be reached from Old Government Road. Marker is located on the Mojave National Preserve and is on what became the Mojave Trail (Old Government Road.). Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Boron CA 93516, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in Greater Los Angeles,

in the Mojave Desert,

in the Peninsular Ranges,

and specifically in the Transverse Ranges.

It was also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it was 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 found itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 4 other markers are within 12 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: The Mojave Road

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(approx. 7.9 miles away); Kelso Depot (approx. 10.9 miles away); The Mojave Cross (approx. 11½ miles away); Teutonia Peak Trail (approx. 11½ miles away).

Another marker is no longer nearby. Kelso Jail (was approx. 10.8 miles away but has been reported to have been replaced with another marker now near it).

Regarding Pozos de San Juan de Dios. The plaque was placed many years ago by a Catholic organization that thought this site was Pozos de San Juan de Dios. Since then most historians who have studied Garcés’ route have determined that this information is incorrect. It has been decided that the marker will not be replaced.

Marker is Missing image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Kindig, November 27, 2010

2. Marker is Missing

Photographed by Michael Kindig, November 27, 2010

3. Pozos de San Juan de Dios Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 2, 2012, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. This page has been viewed 875 times since then and 26 times this year. Last updated on June 29, 2012, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. Photos: 1. submitted on March 4, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2, 3. submitted on January 2, 2012, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.