Orange County (California) Historical Commission

SUBMERGED DAM Santiago Oaks Regional Park, Orange This pioneering water project, a model of efficiency and economy, was first built of clay in 1879. After flo...od damage, it was rebuilt with rock and concrete in 1892. Each dam reached down to bedrock, forcing ground water to the surface where it was diverted for irrigation and domestic uses. Both were built by the Serrano Water Association and the Carpenter Water Company in cooperation with the Jotham Bixby Company. -- Source: Orange County Historical Commission You can learn more about Santiago Oaks Regional Park, or get directions, from: http://www.ocparks.com/santiagooaks/. (Photo by Colleen Greene)

Fossil Reef (Photo Courtesy: City of Laguna Hills) Before you are the white limestone remains of an 18,000,000 year old tropical shell reef. Formed in a shallo...w bay, it contains fossils of scallops, clams and tube worms. Mudstones of the same age, found nearby, hold fossil whales and shark teeth. Later, as the Santa Ana Mountains rose, the rigid limestone buckled and broke along small faults. We can now see evidence that tropical seas once cover the spot where you stand. Corner of Moulton Parkway & Alicia Parkway, Laguna Hill Historical Site No. 28 Orange County Board of Supervisors Orange County Historical Commission Donated by AFCOM Development Placed 1952 For more information: http://www.ci.laguna-hills.ca.us/about/fossil_reef_park.asp