1888 Dam Project Submerged San Mateo's Crystal Springs Resort Town Under Reservoir Waters

A recent tweet from Peter Hartlaub, a prominent Bay Area journalist and author, has brought renewed attention to the historical enigma of Crystal Springs Reservoir in San Mateo County, California. Hartlaub, reflecting on a visit to the site after four decades, highlighted the reservoir's dual nature as both a "lovely hiking spot" and the watery grave of a 19th-century resort town and its hotel. The tweet, which included the poignant remark, "RIP Crystal Springs Hotel," underscored a fascinating piece of local history.

The area now covered by the Lower Crystal Springs Reservoir was once home to the resort town of Crystal Springs, which flourished in the mid-19th century. This popular destination, centered around the Crystal Springs Hotel, offered a tranquil escape for wealthy San Franciscans. However, the land was leased from the Spring Valley Water Company, which harbored ambitious plans for the region's water resources. The hotel itself was eventually demolished in February 1875, marking the beginning of the town's depopulation.

The submergence of Crystal Springs was a direct consequence of the Spring Valley Water Company's efforts to secure a robust water supply for San Francisco. In 1888, the construction of the 150-foot-tall concrete Crystal Springs Dam, engineered by Herman Schussler, was completed. This monumental project effectively dammed San Mateo Creek, forming the lower reservoir and permanently inundating the former resort village. By 1922, the entire 35-square-mile catchment area was reported to have been "swept clean of all human habitation."

Today, the Crystal Springs Reservoir system, operated by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, continues to serve as a vital water source for the San Francisco peninsula. While the waters conceal a bygone era, the surrounding landscape offers recreational opportunities, including the popular Sawyer Camp Trail. Hartlaub's reflection on the "archive mystery" serves as a reminder of the significant historical transformations that shaped the region, where the pursuit of essential resources literally buried a piece of the past.