Box Springs, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Box Springs, California
|
|
|---|---|
Box Springs Reserve, named after Box Springs
|
|
 Box Springs, California
Location in California
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Riverside |
| Elevation | 1,506 ft (459 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (PST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP code |
92507
|
| Area code(s) | 951 |
| FIPS code | 06-06065 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1660366 |
Box Springs is a small community in Riverside County, California. It grew up around a natural water source called the Box Spring. This area is located in the Moreno Valley, about 5 miles (8 km) southeast of downtown Riverside. You can find it near Interstate 215 and California State Route 60. The name "Box Springs" comes from this important spring.
Contents
History of Box Springs
The community of Box Springs and the nearby Box Springs Mountains get their names from a very important natural spring. This spring provided fresh, cold water at the base of the mountains.
Early Improvements to the Spring
In the 1860s, a local person named John Brown Sr. made the spring even better. He built a wooden box around it. This made it easier for people to get water from the spring.
A Stop for Travelers
The spring was well-known to both local people and travelers. In the 1880s, teamsters often stopped here. They would water their horses and wagons at the spring. This natural spring was located in a water canyon, also known as an arroyo.
Box Springs in the 1930s
By the 1930s, Box Springs had grown a bit more. It was known to have a gasoline filling station. There was also a garage for fixing vehicles.
Community Infrastructure
Even though it's a small community, Box Springs has important services.
Water Supply
A part of the Moreno Valley gets its water from the Box Springs Mutual Water Company. This company was started in the 1920s. It still supplies water to about 430 acres of land. This includes 600 different connections.
Local School
The community has its own school called Box Springs Elementary School. This school is part of the Moreno Valley Unified School District.
New Homes in the Area
In 2018, new buildings started to appear in the Box Springs area. A project called Continental Village began construction. It planned to have 125 homes for families. Another project, Oak Park apartments, started building 266 units.
Box Springs Reserve
The Box Springs Reserve is a special natural area. It is managed by the University of California Natural Reserve System. This reserve is located on Box Springs Mountain. It has steep slopes made of granite rock.
What the Reserve is Named After
The reserve is named after the cold freshwater Box Springs. These springs create small wet areas called seeps. These seeps feed a stream that flows sometimes.
Wildlife in the Reserve
The reserve is home to many different animals. You can find 16 types of mammals here. These include mule deer and mountain lions. There are also 19 types of reptiles. Three of these reptiles are considered rare. Many bird species live here too. Several types of raptors, like the golden eagle, red-tailed hawk, and turkey vulture, hunt in this area.
Box Springs Mountain Reserve
While the UCR Box Springs Reserve is not open to the public, the Box Springs Mountain Reserve is. This is a park managed by Riverside County.
Trails and Facilities
The Box Springs Mountain Reserve has many miles of trails. These trails can be used for different activities. They also vary in how difficult they are. At the start of the trails, you can find bathrooms and picnic areas.
Historical Significance
A historical stagecoach stop was once located near the spring at Pigeon Pass. There are also signs that suggest Native American people used this area long ago. These signs include grinding rocks, called morteros or metates.
Native American Use
The area was used by the Cahuilla and Luiseño people in late prehistoric times. The constant cold springs at Box Springs Canyon made the area important. Evidence of their use includes a cupule rock and 24 grinding rock stations found nearby.
