Stenner Creek Bridge - A Snippet of California History

When I first saw the Stenner Creek Bridge I was amazed that such a marvelous example of 19th century engineering existed in San Luis Obispo County.  I assumed the old bridge was no longer in use, as the steel trestle was heavy with rust, until a lengthy freight train passed over my head.  I had to know more about this trestle bridge.

The year was 1889 - The Southern Pacific Railroad had reached as far south as Santa Margareta.  Ahead loomed the Santa Lucia Range of rolling hills with the steep Cuesta Grade.  A typical trip from San Luis Obispo to Templeton took eight hours over the grade, needless to say the railroad was eagerly anticipated.

Between 1893 and 1894 workers blasted 1,100,000 cubic yards of rock to create six tunnels, the longest 3,610 ft.  Crews worked 12 hour days, six days a week for $30 - $35 a month.

The final challenge for the Southern Pacific was crossing the broad expanse of Stenner Creek.  The Thompson Bridge Company of San Francisco was contracted to build a 950 foot trestle bridge, 80 feet above the creek bed; the bridge was designed and manufactured in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

March 24, 1894, four cars laden with steel arrived in Templeton, fifty more loads were on the way.  Each part was numbered and ready to be assembled.  The foundations for this massive steel structure  were huge square granite piers as shown in the below photo.  The piers were mined from San Luis Mountain, also know as Madonna Mountain.  

 April 15, 1894, work on the bridge began.  Officials from Southern Pacific said, on May 5th a Southern Pacific Train would arrive in San Luis Obispo at 6:05 P.M.  A huge celebration was planned for the train's arrival.  May 3, the Stenner Creek Bridge had been completed, but 10,000 feet of track had yet to be laid.  Gangs of men went to work laying a hundred feet of track every five minutes.  Crowds of people watched in amazement. By evening the job was finished and the next day the Southern Pacific arrived in San Luis Obispo, on time.  The celebration lasted three days.

                     The Stenner Creek Bridge Has Been in Constant Use For 120 Years

Getting there: Stenner Creek Road is located on the East side of Hwy One in San Luis Obispo.  From the north take the first left turn after passing the California Men's Colony.  From the south turn right about one mile after passing Highland Drive.  Follow the road to the bridge

Big Sur Drinking Fountains - A Snippet of Coastal California History

Big Sur Drinking Fountains - Hidden in plain sight, along a twisting, scenic corridor of the Big Sur Highway (Hwy. 1), between Salmon Creek and Big Creek Bridge are five of the original six, artfully crafted, stone drinking fountains. (above photo - Soda Springs)

The Drinking Fountains were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps between 1933 and 1937 during construction of the Carmel - San Simeon Hwy.  A source of water was a necessity for thirsty motorists and their even thirstier automobiles as they traveled on this new remote, scenic highway.

             LOCATING THE FOUNTAINS
The Big Sur Drinking Fountains, from south to north are:  Soda Springs, Big Redwood, Willow Creek/Seven Stairs, Lucia, and Rigdon.  I can testify they can be tricky to locate. The five fountains are within a 26 mile stretch of highway beginning at the Monterey County line (mileage zero).  The county sign is located a few miles past Ragged Point on the ocean side of the Hwy.

Soda Springs is 3.8 miles after the county line, and about 1.5 miles after Salmon Creek Trail head. Pull off at Soda Springs trail head sign.  The fountain is located on the edge of the road, about 60 ft., south of the sign.

Big Redwood is 5.5 miles after the county line.  Pull off at Redwood Grove trail head, the sign is 80 feet in from the road.  The fountain is behind the trail sign.  The trail leads to the Nathaniel Owings Memorial Redwood Grove.   

Willow Creek/Seven Stairs - You have now driven about 11.5 miles.  The fountain is about 1/4 mile north of the impressive Willow Creek Bridge and is on a slight curve directly across from a large turnoff.  Seven stone steps lead to the fountain and picnic area which includes a picnic table.  A modest flow of spring water supports a colorful variety of native plants.  The view is spectacular.

Lucia is a tricky one.  The fountain is located in the center of a wide turnoff, between the Kirk Creek Bridge/Campground and Limekiln Bridge/State Park.  Distance between the bridges is 2 miles, more or less. The fountain is maybe 1/2 mile before Limekiln Bridge. The bridge is mile 21 from the county line.  Lucia is a great spot for whale watching.

Rigdon - Distance from co. line 26 miles or so.  The fountain is on a curve located mid way between Vicente Creek Bridge (mi. 25.8) and Big Creek Bridge (mi. 28) - distance between the bridges about 2 miles.  Across the road and south a tad, is a turnout.  Look for a curve with tall trees.  The Rigdon Fountain is a memorial to the late State Senator, Elmer Rigdon, who in 1922, secured funding for construction of the Hwy. 

In 1922, just after highway construction started, Senator Rigdon passed away.  In June 1937, as part of the opening ceremony for the new, scenic Carmel - San Simeon Highway, the Rigdon Drinking Fountain was dedicated.

Hidden in plain sight, five historic, hand crafted stone fountains, with ample places to sit and enjoy the view, await your visit.