Site information:

Sylvan Park, University St, Redlands

34.060221,-117.167707

Plaque information:

State plaque went missing, has been replaced with stone version

Old plaque text:

Spanish missionaries introduced the principle of irrigation in San Bernardino Valley, thus opening the way to settlement. Franciscan fathers engineered, and Indians dug, this first ditch (or 'zanja') in 1819-20. In historical sequence the zanja supported the San Bernardino Asistencia, Rancho San Bernardino, pioneer ranches, orchards and Redlands' domestic water supply.

Plaque placed by the California State Park Commission in cooperation with Redlands Kiwanis Club, City Park Department, and San Bernardino County Museum Association, 1965.

New plaque text:

Spanish missionaries introduced the principle of irrigation in San Bernardino Valley, thus opening the way to settlement. Franciscan fathers engineered, and Native Americans dug, this first ditch, or "zanja," in 1819. It supported the San Bernardino Asistencia, the Rancho San Bernardino, then pioneer ranches and orchards and finally Redlands' domestic water supply.  The Zanja was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.

Redlands Area Historical Society, Dedication September 21, 2019
Redlands Conservancy, Redlands Contemporary Club, The Gallaghers

Registered 8/1/1932