Bunker Hill (San Bernardino, California) facts for kids
Bunker Hill is a well-known steep hill or bluff located in the city of San Bernardino, in San Bernardino County, California. It stretches from the campus of San Bernardino Valley College all the way to where it looks over Lytle Creek. The highest part of Bunker Hill is over 1,080 feet tall. This important hill also gave its name to the neighborhood around it in San Bernardino.
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A Look Back in Time: The History of Bunker Hill
Bunker Hill holds a special place in history because it was once home to Politana. This was the very first Spanish settlement in the San Bernardino Valley.
Politana: A Mission Outpost
Politana was more than just a settlement. It served as a small mission chapel and a supply station. It was connected to the larger Mission San Gabriel. This outpost was built within a rancheria, which was a village where the local Guachama Native American people lived on the bluff.
Water for the Community: The Bunker Hill Groundwater Basin
Bunker Hill also plays a vital role in providing water to the local area. It marks the edge of a huge underground area called the Bunker Hill Groundwater Basin.
How the Basin Works
Imagine a giant underground bowl. The bedrock (solid rock) under Bunker Hill forms one side of this bowl. This rock acts like a natural wall, stopping the underground water from flowing away towards the Pacific Ocean.
Where the Water Comes From
The water in this basin comes from rain and melting snow that falls on the mountains all around it. This natural storage system is incredibly important. It supplies water for the entire City of San Bernardino. It also provides water for about 20 other local public and private water companies in the region.
