The Alexander Dunsmuir Fountain
In 1886. Alexander Dunsmuir, the son of wealthy coal baron Robert Dunsmuir from Vancouver, British Columbia, visited this area while en route to San Francisco. Alexander was charmed by the rugged beauty of the region and made a proposition to the city fathers: if they would change the name of the town to Dunsmuir, he would donate a fountain.
Originally, Dunsmuir was called Pusher because of the need to use helper engines to move trains north due to the heavy 2.2% grade and a 14 degree curve at Cantara Loop between Dunsmuir and Mount Shasta.
The original fountain was built near the railroad depot, however Alexander Dunsmuir never saw it completed. It was dismantled in the 60's by the Southern Pacific Railroad. In the early 70's a new basin was created from the original plans, and the fountain was relocated here at the entrance to the Dunsmuir City Park and Botanical Gardens.
Marker can be reached from Dunsmuir Avenue north of Siskiyou Avenue.
Courtesy hmdb.org
