Big Sur Drinking Fountains Revisited 2021

 

       Path to Big Redwood Drinking Fountain

The last time I visited Big Sur Fountains was in 2015.  To my surprise they had been tidied.  The weeds had been cut and rock clutter, eroding from the hills, removed.  Now, six years later, I wanted to see if the fountains had survived the elements, and the last few years of landslides, two of them being severe, causing Big Sur Highway (Hwy. 1) to close for extended periods of time.

Soda Springs* - The route to the fountains was from the south.  Soda Springs Fountain is a few miles north of Ragged Point.  It is easy to miss as it is tucked into a moist niche surrounded by vibrant Seep Monkey Flower and lavender hued Hedge Nettle.  The fountain is an excellent example of artful Conservation Corps craftsmanship.   (touch photo for larger image)

Only a handful of inches off busy Hwy. 1, the Soda Springs Fountain showed little change. (A sigh of relief)

The Drinking Fountains were built between 1933 and 1937 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, during construction of the Carmel-San Simeon Hwy.  A source of water was needed for thirsty motorists and their even thirstier automobiles.

Location information on the fountains may be found at  http://mycoastalcalifornia.blogspot.com/2014/08/big-sur-drinking-fountains-snippet-of.html

The Big Redwood Fountain is located at the beginning of a dense stand of Redwoods.  The trail to a Memorial Redwood Grove passes directly by the fountain.  Big Redwood is the most hidden of the five. The yellow blooming fennel was dense.

Big Redwood showed little change.  This artfully crafted fountain continues to stand the test of time.

Willow Creek/Seven Stairs Fountain* was very weedy.  Tenacious Poison Oak, Morning Glory, and California Sagebrush were overtaking the stonework.  Even the picnic table appeared in need of help. 

 

But, there is joy and beauty at this neglected historic fountain.  In the shadow of a giant rock, a tiny stream of spring water* trickled down a little wooden trough.  Unfortunately, this makeshift trickle of water is causing the stonework to deteriorate.  

This Morning drove up the coast, with friend Phoebe, for another look at WillowCreek/Seven Stairs fountain.  To my delight a weed eater had been at work; the weeds were gone.  

The picnic table perched on four rocks looked unstable.  Upon closer examination we found it sturdy as a rock.

Lucia Fountain,* located a few miles North of the Historic Lucia Lodge,** is set back from the Highway.  It is the only fountain with paved parking.  Aggressive non-native plants are encroaching on to the stonework.  A crumbling hillside may soon overtake the stonework to the north.  The fountain is being threatened by water seeping from a makeshift water supply.  The seepage has encouraged weeds to grow and stones to loosen and fall out of the fountain.  

Rigdon Fountain* - The fountain was originally named, The Elmer Rigdon Memorial Fountain after State Senator Rigdon who was instrumental in securing funding for building the highway.  The below photo was taken from across the highway.

It is impossible for me to write about the Big Sur Drinking Fountains without including a snipped of history.  June 27, 1937 - Grand Opening of the Carmel-San Simeon Highway - Dedication Ceremony for the Elmer Rigdon Memorial Fountain and park.  In the lower left hand corner of the historical photo can be seen a stone pedestal.  The very same pedestal can be seen in the lower right hand corner of the above current photo. 

The Park was weedy, but the stonework was in good condition.  Rigdon does not get much foot traffic as it is located on a curve with the only parking across the highway.  A speedy, death defying dash is needed to get to the fountain.  I did it once and swore I would never do it again.  

The Big Sur Fountains have survived 84 years, hopefully they will survive another 84.

 *water not potable

**   https://www.montereycountyweekly.com/blogs/news_blog/fire-destroys-restaurant-at-the-historic-lucia-lodge-in-big-sur/article_b9c7a1a8-fac4-11eb-8db2-2be90f18be62.html

 

Big Sur Drinking Fountains Revisited

With Phoebe Adams as navigator and note taker, we headed north on Highway I to see if the current drought was affecting the Historic Fountains.  Much to our delight Soda Springs, the first fountain going north, (above Photo) was lush; spring water flowed cheerfully through the vegetation. The fountain actually sparkled; this little hidden roadside oasis had been cleaned of weeds and rock debris.   --  Link to original posting on The Big Sur Drinking Fountains  -    http://mycoastalcalifornia.blogspot.com/2014/08/big-sur-drinking-fountains-snippet-of.html

We only hesitated at Big Redwood, as it lacks water, and one must slosh through a wet area to reach the fountain remnant.   Big Redwood is the only fountain that is not directly on the road.

A surprise awaited us at Willow Creek/Seven Stairs - Spring water was flowing into a pool.  A benefactor had trimmed the weeds and connected the pipes (above photo).  Native plants were numerous.  The plant with the tiny white flowers is Thimble Berry.  The plant with the lavender flowers is Hedge Nettle.  The Willow Creek Fountain is seven steps above the road, has a great view and a picnic table that is patiently waiting for a picnic.

The Lucia Fountain had also been tidied.  Perhaps the Highway maintenance crew had adopted the fountains.  Spring Water was flowing into a culvert.  Yellow Seep Monkey-flower was a definite day brightener. 

We did not stop at the Rigdon Fountain, as it lacks water, and to reach it one must cross Highway One near a blind curve (no thank you).  We could see that it had been weeded and cleaned.

The historic fountain saga may yet have another chapter.  Originally there were six fountains; the missing fountain was thought to have disappeared in one of the many landslides.  On our way home, somewhere between Nepenthe, the famous Big Sur restaurant, and the Torre Canyon Bridge, I thought I saw fountain rock work.  To quote A. Schwarzenegger, "I'll be back!" 

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.