Darrah Springs Hatchery is named for an early settler of the area, Simon H. Darrah. The current site drew interest to the state of California in 1941 for a trout hatchery due to its consistent artesian springs. Unfortunately war was on the horizon for the U.S and experimental work on the hatchery could not be carried out until 1949. At this time troughs and ponds were installed and studies determined that the water was of sufficient quality to begin construction of the hatchery. From 1954 through 1956, at the cost of nearly $80,000, 60 ponds, 32 nursery tanks, and a 120 trough hatchery building were built. Also built were storage, feed and other necessary buildings. Simon H. Darrah Ponds as they were in 1964 Old-style ponds with dirt sides and bottom Feed storage and preparation room at Darrah Springs Hatchery - 1956 Fish loader in 1956 Modern fish loader Close-up of auger moving fish within modern loader Darrah Springs Hatchery main page