East of the fairgrounds on Third Street there is a rock wall with an old water spigot embedded in it, a large urn and two plaques. One plaque reads, “Deep Spring 1912” and the other reads, “Public Rest Station Edw. B[ald]win Designer” (part of the last name is eroded). What is this?

Historian Rebecca Yerger, a great fount of information (pun intended), said that in 1912 horse-drawn carriages were still a main mode of transportation. These water fountains were built for use both by horses and humans.

Yerger said it is unclear what business may have been situated at the site in 1912 when the fountain was built, but guessed it was most likely a wagonwright (wagon builder) or other outfit having to do with transportation. Yerger said it was a very popular trend for business owners to build a feature like this in front of their businesses to attract potential patrons.

This trend faded away with the Depression, and because of the war these curiosities became scarce.

Yerger said that anything from mules to Clydesdale horses hauled wagons full of grapes or grains from places such as Berryessa, which was a huge wheat-growing area. Since the local terrain is hilly, the roads were rough and animals got thirsty, these fountains were very practical.

Yerger also said there were a lot of natural springs in the Alta Heights and Tulocay Cemetery area, so it makes sense that a spring would be found here.

Curious about this spring? It is located outside of Third Street Auto Repair.

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