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Although it is difficult to recognize now, San Francisco is a sandy landscape, a peninsula surrounded by water on three sides, with little to drink. Without the discovery of fresh water, there probably wouldn't be any settlers in the area. Therefore, it seemed only fitting to start my historical explorations with water.
A spring is a place where the water in the earth, called groundwater, flows to the surface naturally. In a small little corner of the Presidio National Park, the water that has been absorbed into the sand, flows down a hill until it hits a ridge of serpentine rock and is pushed out on to the earth's surface. The spring has a seasonal flow. When rain is plentiful, the water pours out. With our current drought, it is but a trickle.
A spring is a place where the water in the earth, called groundwater, flows to the surface naturally. In a small little corner of the Presidio National Park, the water that has been absorbed into the sand, flows down a hill until it hits a ridge of serpentine rock and is pushed out on to the earth's surface. The spring has a seasonal flow. When rain is plentiful, the water pours out. With our current drought, it is but a trickle.
A stone well exists to mark the spot of the spring with cobblestone water channels branching out. These were built in the 1930s and are probably a similar design to earlier versions. Although the spring no longer provides drinking water to its human community, most of the naturally running creeks it feeds are now enclosed in pipes underground. Five thousand years ago, the Ohlone tribe gathered water here to bring to their shellmound homes in what is now Crissy Field. In 1776, when the Spanish built El Presidio (their military base), they also used the spring for drinking water. Later on in the early 1800s, a small settlement of homes was built right near by and would be passed as walkers went back and forth from the Presidio to Mission Dolores. The homes are believed to belong to the family of Marco Briones, a solider who was part of the founding expedition. |
One of his daughters married a solider named Miramontes so their family lived here too. Another one of his daughters, Juana Briones, lived here as a young woman. Her amazing story will be told at another time. The Americans took over the land from the Mexicans in 1850 and during the Spanish American War of 1898, the First Tennessee Volunteer Infantry Regiment camped at this site. The home of El Polín Spring is now called Tennessee Hollow in their honor.
Water has a sacred role in legends and El Polín Spring is no different. It is said that women who drank the spring's water during a full moon would be granted the magical powers to have many children, especially twins. This was a very popular belief. Even General Mariano Vallejo, the commandante of the Presidio, wrote in 1876, "It gave excellent water of miraculous qualities. In proof of my assertion, I appeal to the families of Miramontes, Martinez, Sanchez, Soto, Briones, and others, all of whom several times had twins; and public opinion, not without reason, attributed these salutary effects to the water of El Polín." Yes, it is believed these families had many children (at least 30 including twins), but no one knows if it was the water or something else. Legends are funny like that.
In 2003, archeologists, led by Barbara Voss from Stanford University, started to excavate the site. They discovered many things such as the foundation of a house belonging to the family, an area of trash (called a borrow pit), a tile basin (like a sink) that was used to keep fresh items cool, and a kiln for making tiles. Most of those finds were photographed before being reburied.
In 2003, archeologists, led by Barbara Voss from Stanford University, started to excavate the site. They discovered many things such as the foundation of a house belonging to the family, an area of trash (called a borrow pit), a tile basin (like a sink) that was used to keep fresh items cool, and a kiln for making tiles. Most of those finds were photographed before being reburied.
Today the spring is a gathering place for migratory birds and other animals, wetland plants and trees, and the occasional human visitor. There is a replicate adobe structure and many display boards that tell the story of this fascinating place.
El Polín Spring Presidio National Park San Francisco, CA 94129 *El Polín Spring is located inside the Presidio National Park. It can be easily accessed (0.1 mile) from Inspiration Point Overlook or by following the Ecology Trail from the Main Post (0.6 mile). There is 4 hour free parking at Inspiration Point and a few free 2 hour spots at corner of Hardie and Funston. There is also paid permit parking. *Picnic tables are available near the spring. *If bringing children, know that this is a popular dog walking area. Dogs are on and off leash. |