Around 1891,
the Southern Pacific Railroad Company constructed a new line
between Tracy and Fresno. A watering tank and pump on that
line was the beginning of Kerman, which was christened Collis
in honor of the President of the road, Collis P. Huntington.
The first inhabitant, the caretaker of the pump and tank, kept
the tank full of water for the thirsty engines with their long
and lumbering trains. After some months, he resigned his job,
not because of the work, he said, but because it was too
lonesome and he was tired of being a hermit. He said he never
saw anyone but the train crews and they were always in too big
a hurry to carry on a conversation.
The property and surrounding areas eventually attracted the
attention of two Los Angeles capitalists, William G,
Kerckoff and Jacob Mansar, who saw a chance to
purchase a plentiful water supply from the newly constructed
Enterprise Canal, which had its source in the Kings River. The men
combined the first three letters of each of their names and
christined the area "Kerman".
This cache has been placed at a tribute to the railroad that was
the beginnings of Kerman. If you look to the north, you can still
see the tracks, and an occasional train.
Please be careful on the side of the highway, watch out for
Geo-Muggles, and be sure to hide the cache in the same
location that you found it.
Enjoy your visit to Kerman!