Fountain Springs, California facts for kids

Fountain Springs was once a small but important place in Tulare County, California. It was established before 1855 and served as a key stop for travelers. Imagine a gas station or a rest stop today – Fountain Springs was a bit like that for people traveling over 150 years ago!

This settlement was located at a very important crossroads. It was where the main road between Stockton and Los Angeles met the road leading to the gold mines near the Kern River. This made it a busy spot for people heading to find gold or just traveling across California.

A Stop on the Butterfield Overland Mail

From 1858 to 1861, Fountain Springs became an official station on the famous Butterfield Overland Mail route. This was a very important stagecoach service that carried mail and passengers across the country. It was like an early version of a delivery service combined with a bus line!

The Butterfield Overland Mail route was a long and challenging journey. Fountain Springs was a necessary stop where travelers could rest, change horses, and get fresh supplies. It was located about 14 miles (22.5 km) southeast of another station called Tule River Station and 12 miles (19.3 km) north of Mountain House.

The Spring Itself

Sometimes, people talk about "Fountain Spring" (singular) instead of "Fountain Springs" (plural). When they say "Fountain Spring," they are usually talking about the actual natural spring. This spring was a vital source of fresh water in the 1800s. It provided water for people's homes and for watering gardens in the area.

Where Was It Located?

Today, Fountain Springs is no longer a settlement. Its exact location was about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) northwest of a special marker. This marker is called California Historical Landmark No. 648. You can find this landmark at the southwest corner of County Roads J22 and M 109 in Tulare County. This area was once part of the old Springville Stage Route.