A very easy, shaded trail at Santiago Oaks Regional Park, Orange, California, leads to a historic dam.

In August 1879, local landowners sought to improve the agricultural productivity of their lands. A clay dam was submerged to the bedrock floor of Santiago Creek to force more groundwater to the surface. When that early dam was destroyed by flooding a few years later, it was replaced in 1892 with one made of river rock and cement, which still stands within the present park.

Submerged Historic Dam

Historic Dam History

Historic Dam Sign