Santiago Canyon
Santiago Canyon embodies the romance and lore of Orange County's
colorful history: The canyon's past is punctuated by coal-mining
operations, grizzly bear hunts, manhunts and homesteaders. The canyon
was a major thoroughfare for early settlers who settled in its scenic
side canyons-Baker, Black Star, Silverado and Modjeska.
Traces of Orange County's earliest residents were discovered at
nearby Black Star Canyon. Arrowheads and rocks pockmarked with grinder
holes-signs that the Indians ground acorns to produce an edible
gruel-have been found on the plateau high above the canyon, where a
large Indian village once existed.
Black Star Canyon got its name in the 1870's, when Black Star
Mining Company began mining for coal that recently had been discovered
there. The mining operation was short-lived, though, because the
quality of the coal was so poor.
Santiago Creek flows into Irvine Lake, which was formed in 1931 when a dam was built across lower Santiago Canyon.
For programs in Black Star Canyon call the Irvine Ranch Conservancy at (714) 508-4757.
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