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

Shaver's Well

Photographed By Michael Kindig, June 5, 2010

1. Shaver's Well Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Dedicated to the man
behind the well
John Shaver
1854 - 1935

Erected 1977 by Billy Holcomb Chapter No. 1069, E Clampus Vitus. (Marker Number 87.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.

Location. 33° 37.108′ N, 115° 55.079′ W. Marker is in Chuckwalla, California, in Riverside County. Marker is on Box Canyon Road, on the right. The marker is near the middle of the turnout on the west side of the road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mecca CA 92254, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. North Shore Beach & Yacht Club (approx. 6.9 miles away); The Salton Sea (approx. 7.9 miles away); Young Divisional Camp (approx. 8.2 miles away); Barren or Bountiful (approx. 9.1 miles away); Where Are The Joshua Trees? (approx. 10½ miles

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away); Desert Training Center (approx. 11.6 miles away); a different marker also named The Desert Training Center (approx. 11.6 miles away); a different marker also named Desert Training Center (approx. 11.6 miles away).

More about this marker. Imported tamarisk trees grow on the west side of the highway due to the underground water. The marker is on the left in the turnout with the tamarisk trees.

Regarding Shaver's Well. John Shaver was a member of the Riverside County Board of Supervisors for over 40 years and hired John McGrath to dig this first county-financed well in October 1897. It supplied water for travelers between Indio and Palm Springs, Mecca to Blythe and the Mecca to Dale Roads. Although McGrath had the contract to dig the well it is said to have been dug by Henry Hartman, a prospector. The site of the well at the north of the turnout, near the highway may be hidden by the spreading growth of the tamarisk trees.
SOURCE: Billy Holcomb Chapter 1069 35th Anniversary Plaque Book by Phillip Holdaway

Additional commentary.
1. Chiriaco Summit
The Bradshaw Road was a passage between the

Photographed By Michael Kindig, June 5, 2010

2. Shaver's Well Marker

Colorado River and the Coachella Valley. Only two unconnected, unpaved pieces of the road remain. Three sites along the road have been marked by plaques erected by E Clampus Vitus. The first is located nine miles west of Blythe at Wiley Well, named for the storekeeper and postmaster A. P. Wiley. A second plaque is placed at Shaver's Well on Box Canyon Road and the third at Chiriaco Summit.
Source: Historic Spots in California 5th Revision by Douglas E. Kyle

— Submitted December 29, 2011.

Photographed By Michael Kindig, June 5, 2010

3. Shaver's Well Marker

Photographed By Michael Kindig, June 5, 2010

4. Shaver's Well Marker

Dedication Patch image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Kindig, October 7, 1977

5. Dedication Patch

Billy Holcomb - ECV
Shaver's Well - Fall 1977

Credits. This page was last revised on November 7, 2019. It was originally submitted on December 17, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. This page has been viewed 1,775 times since then and 111 times this year. Last updated on November 3, 2014, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 17, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. 5. submitted on January 29, 2012, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.