Jacalitos Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jacalitos Creek |
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 Location of the mouth within California
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| Native name | Arroyo de Jacelitos |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| Region | Fresno County |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | source 0.6 miles north of Andrews Peak, in the Diablo Range., Fresno County 36°02′52″N 120°32′58″W / 36.04778°N 120.54944°W |
| River mouth | mouth flows east-northeast to Los Gatos Creek, 2.6 miles south of Coalinga Nose., Fresno County 548 ft (167 m) 36°08′51″N 120°15′50″W / 36.14750°N 120.26389°W |
Jacalitos Creek is a small stream located in Fresno County, California. It used to be called Arroyo de Jacelitos, which means "Creek of Little Huts" in Spanish.
This creek starts about 0.6 miles (0.96 km) north of Andrews Peak. This area is part of the Diablo Range mountains. From its source, the creek flows first towards the east and then turns northeast.
The creek flows between two sets of hills: the Jacalitos Hills and the Kreyenhagen Hills. It then crosses a flat area called Pleasant Valley. Finally, Jacalitos Creek joins Los Gatos Creek. This meeting point is about 2.6 miles (4.2 km) south of a place called Coalinga Nose.
History of Jacalitos Creek
Jacalitos Creek has a long history in the area. It was originally known as El Arroyo de Jacelitos. This name comes from the Spanish language.
What's in a Name?
The word "Jacalitos" comes from the Spanish word jacal. A jacal was a simple hut or shelter. These huts were often made with a thatched roof and walls of thin stakes covered with mud. The ending "-ito" in Spanish means "little." So, "Jacalitos" means "little huts."
An Important Watering Place
In the past, Jacalitos Creek was a very important place for travelers. It had reliable watering spots along a historic route called El Camino Viejo. This old road connected different areas. Jacalitos Creek was a key stop between Los Gatos Creek to the north and Zapato Chino Creek to the south. Travelers and their animals could find water here.
