Garzas Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Garzas Creek |
|
|---|---|
| Native name | Arroyo de las Garzas |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| Region | Merced County |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | head 0.8 km (0.5 mi) south of Hog Canyon and 1.6 km (1 mi) northwest of Bullhead Reservoir 1,550 ft (470 m) 37°10′31″N 121°19′44″W / 37.17528°N 121.32889°W |
| River mouth | Los Banos Creek 4.8 km (3 mi) northeast of Ingomar 79 ft (24 m) 37°13′20″N 120°56′49″W / 37.22222°N 120.94694°W |
Garzas Creek, originally called Arroyo de las Garzas, is a small stream in California. Its name means "Creek of the Herons" in Spanish. It's a branch, or tributary, of the San Joaquin River.
This creek flows from the eastern side of the Diablo Range mountains. It then makes its way through the San Joaquin Valley. Garzas Creek is an important part of the natural water system in Merced County.
Where Garzas Creek Flows
Garzas Creek starts its journey about 0.8 kilometers (0.5 miles) south of a place called Hog Canyon. It's also about 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) northwest of Bullhead Reservoir.
The creek then flows until it meets Los Banos Creek. This meeting point is about 4.8 kilometers (3 miles) northeast of Ingomar. The closest town to the creek used to be Linora, a former railroad station. Today, the town of Gustine is about 4.35 miles away from Garzas Creek.
History of Garzas Creek
Garzas Creek has a long and interesting history. Long ago, it was known as Arroyo de las Garzas. It was a very important watering spot along an old trail called El Camino Viejo. This trail was used for travel and trade in the San Joaquin Valley.
In 1820, a Spanish soldier who had left his army became the first known settler near the creek. Later that same year, Spanish cavalry (soldiers on horseback) came to the area. They were looking for the soldier and a group of people who had left the missions. A small conflict happened between them near the creek.
Many years later, in 1852, American pioneers explored the area. They found the son of the Spanish soldier living in a special house made of adobe (a type of mud brick). This house was located on Arroyo de las Garzas, a few miles west of where Gustine is now.
The creek was also a key water source for a large piece of land called Rancho Orestimba y Las Garzas. A man named Jesse Hill, who owned a ferry business, built a house right on Garzas Creek. This house was quite special because the wood for it was shipped all the way around Cape Horn (the southern tip of South America) and then brought to the site by oxen! Later, this location became a camp for sheep herders working for the Simon Newman Company.
