The Ghost Town of Buckman Springs 

Funny I just remembered I learned to drive on Buckman Springs Rd , I was 11 yrs old , now I'm 72

I grew up on Buckman Springs and know that road like the back of my hand. My grandma still lives there on her 15 acres. My grandma has a cistern old like that on her property

Lived in SD, Santee and El Cajon 1958-2005 and saw the Buckman Springs sign but never knew anything about the buildings! REALLY interesting. I bet Amos isn't the ONLY person buried there!

I photographed this site and several other abandoned sites along 80 in 1996, for one of my class's final project at UCSD. This was long before I knew anything about Amos Buckman and the bottling plant nearby. Had no idea his gravesite was there too! Thanks for these informative videos! Sad to hear that chimney is now no more. So iconic.

Russell Lozier died on Dec.13. 1977 Before the rest area was there. Russ was going eastbound in a 18 wheeler, the wind was clocked 120 MPH ! Other trucks were blown over that day. R.I.P. Brother Russ. I was in Vietnam with him 1969 and 1970 l cane home Russ did one more year in Nam. Peace my brother!

Great ambience music. Some you tubers don’t pay attention to this detail but it makes a world of difference to your job.

US HIGHWAY 80 is lined with all kinds of little historical treasures. This was known as The Coast to Coast Highway in its early days. The western end begins at Washington Street and Pacific Highway in San Diego, and finishes in Savannah Georgia. Some of the original road built as early as 1919 is still visible beside the 2-lane road built in the late 1920s and early 1930s between El Cajon and Alpine. At the eastern end of Boulevard there is a little cement road which was part of the original road before the 2-lane road was built and this section is still drivable. If you're not in a hurry, there is an abundance of very interesting tidbits along the path of US HIGHWAY 80 from El Cajon all the way to the Desert View Tower at Inkopah County Park where the freeway begins it's steep descent to Mountain Springs Grade.

I drove past it this afternoon, and noticed the chimney blew over in the last wind storm! I drive by it most days, and was so sad to see it gone.

My grandparents lived in Campo for most of their lives, my parents would take Hwy. 8 from El Cajon to Campo at least once a month to visit them. The small foundations you found at Buckman Springs may actually be cabins that Buckman rented out to visitors who came to soak in the springs, that would also explain the large rectangular cement structure you showed in this video, it may have been a inside pool for visitors, I was told that Old Man Buckman hanged himself , I have no idea if that is true. These videos bring back so many memories. I left San Diego in 1984, I miss the San Diego I grew up in.

I was out there well over a year ago. I had left a laminated picture of what the Buckman house looked like back in the day inside the fireplace for all to see. By the looks of it someone swiped it, lol.

been here so many times.... 1971 worked for then CDF in Potrero.... have a pic of his Headstone before it was moved

I grew up in lakeside east county of san diego.and i worked at the juvenile ranch camp in campo. thanks for the trip down memory lane , good stuff

Your videos are classic - high definition, methodic narration, soothing music going with bygone history, all these things, wake me up....every abandoned place in ruins tell histrocial tales of how people managed, survived, even flourished in those harsh environs. The entire area gives an errie feel. I really don't know how these people survived all alone for long time. Sitting in the far corner of India, I can never visit such far off places. Thanks to your videos, I literally walked with you. Already I deveoped a kind of bonding and friendship with you !!

I’ve driven by there on the 80 for work a few times and been through Buckman Springs on motorcycles for fun. Sure appreciate the history lesson. Great videos. Oceanside High. Class of ‘81.

Thank you for sharing this! I found it very interesting! It’s nice to know that the highway workers respected Mr. Buckman’s grave. 👍✝️ Meline

Thank you for all the history along old hwy 80. I spent much time in the different areas you cover. Hitchiking and camping in those areas 50 yrs ago. Still to this day, love to go and explore. Could tell some pretty intesting stories myself. I'm 65 now. Thanks again!

at 4:12 there was once a lithia spring bubbling up there... maybe 20 years ago... caught a rattlesnake in that wall ....

Thanks for showcasing the history of California.

Great stuff, fascinating. The graffiti hurts. WATCH FOR RATTLERS!!! Thanks for sharing!

The pool you found reminded me of similar historical ruins along the bay near the Living Coast Nature Center. There used to be a company there that made a chemical used for gunpowder for World War I. You may want to explore that someday.

Pass by here all the time going to work so it’s cool to see these videos of history of my local areas, always loved seeing what was down these old roads 🙌

Love the videos. I’m a native Californian, but have lived elsewhere in the US for many years now. So cool to learn the history of my native state. Thank you!

Nice video. I was out here exploring again today. Sadly the chimney has fallen. It apparently got blown down by strong winds a couple months ago.

Thanks for making these awesome videos. My wife and I are from El Centro and enjoy driving around East County back roads like Hwy 80. We will definitely stop to check this out next time we drive to SD.

I can only live vicariously through these videos you and others provide (got old), just found you, good job telling about another persons life, so interesting.

When I was a kid in the late 60s I remember seeing a pipe there with spring water coming out of the ground.

I know of a place in Colorado that was a small mining community. It's called Iron Clad, there are ruins of a Barber Shop and a few other buildings. There is only one person buried on a hill across from the community. It was the owner of Iron Clad. My dad back in the 50's hauled for Iron Clad. Basalt and Sulphur was mined, we found a Core Sample one time when we were there. It's by Gunnison Colorado.😎

Great info never knew that about buckman. I’ve been seeing the ruins of his homestead fro twenty years now. Thanks

I miss home and only knew of this page from a friend who shared you Facebook. This is really wonderful to see and thank you.

We look forward to visiting the Buckman Springs Rest Area....it is more than nice! It is a great place to catch your breath before descending in to San Diego!!!!!

I've been going out there my entire life, and I didn't know half what was there, especially Amos' grave. Who installed the new headstone? Was there a headstone before that? When you say they discovered his grave and reburied him, they accidentally dug him up? If you ever go back, walk west and cross the highway. There's a road that is sometimes blocked to wheeled vehicles. If you go down to where it ends, there's a set of mine tunnels to the north, and across the creek, if you hunt around, there's a stump in the ground that I'm told was where the blacksmith had his shop, his anvil mounted on the stump. More mines further west, although they're really quite a bit along, up in the hills.

We live in Lakemorena. We pass there almost every day. Part of the springs would come up there next to the house. Kinda dried up due to our drought. If the rains return so will the spring

A great story, thanks for your work and time in bringing a little piece of California history to us all.

Love the local history you provide. Next time I am out that way I will take a closer look. It makes the area we live in come to life. Thanks! :-)

I've been to this area several times, but never knew the history and am really happy to learn more about it. Great video! It's also amazing how quickly human structures crumble after abandonment, this has only been 120-odd years.

An historical marker would be nice. I've wondered what those ruins were ever since I first them. This is interesting.

Great video. I won't needle you about falling into the cactus, that would make me a prick.

You keep taking me back in time , Thanks

As always, we really appreciate you going out of your way to cover things like this. No matter how little they may seem, they were the dreams of a few, and it's really nice to be a part of that. And sorry for your cactus injury, but we do appreciate you putting yourself in harm's way like that. It can be difficult to watch your footing and capture a good shot at the same time. Great work as always!

Very interesting and well presented.

Ouch! Falling on a cactus is no joke!!! Interesting video,, thanks

What a unique place for Buckmans grave site. I enjoyed watching!

My wife and i would drive around out in that area but did not realize the connection between here and her home. She lived on soda springs road in napa about 4 miles from the old castle resort. I was looking at this on google earth and it appears the chimney is no longer standing as of 2/21.

That was very interesting. Been out that way many times and never knew it excited. You inspire me to do more exploring ❤️

Thank you - really enjoying your historical videos...

Thank you! I'm a native San Diegan and never new the Buckman Springs story. Great job! Love your history lessons....

Great adventure; thanks for posting.

I'm glad I discovered your channel! I love visiting old ghost towns like this! I hope I can visit Buckman sometime!

Thank you. I live so close and pass by all the time yet had no knowledge of the area's history.

Great video. Have driven by wondering about Buckman for years. Now I know. Thanks!

I remember wandering around these ruins when I was a teenager living in El Cajon many, many years ago. There are quite a few areas of interest throughout the back country of San Diego County.

All those years I traveled through there and stopped at the rest area, I never knew the history of the place. Thanks for the fascinating video!

Thank you very much for this most interesting and informative video. It is certainly has an important role in preserving the history of the area. Thank you for bringing this to the people and the work that you have done.

Another great video. THX

I did a Google search for Buckman Springs, CA and found the site on Google Maps and saw the aerial view.

Thanks for the video. It would have been cool to have shown us some of the old photos of this place.

Thanks for the tour and history lesson

I GOT TIRED AT BUCKMAN SPRINGS! Sounds like a T-SHIRT promo. Glad I found your site Mr. Sidetrack. (I don't know your name yet.) Was Buckman springs a cool or hot springs?

I appreciate your content. Well done. 👍

I live about three miles from there and always just drove by because I didn’t know anything about the place. Now I will have to go take a good look at it.

I love your videos!!

@9:40 He couldn't resist, folks :D LOL! Awesome

at 4:05... that was the east back end of the Store that once stood..on the north side of his house....

Learning more each time.

Love your videos!

I recall finding the Geocache, GC4KK0Y, at the bottling plant back in 2013, it' still there.

Hello from Kansas 🇺🇸

I live out here and enjoy learning about what's around me 🤗😊 thanks ❤️

Luckily I don't get tired as much as I used to, since I became retired.

used to go out there in the 1980's, cool spot.

stayed at the truck stop/casino 8 years hauling cars near there. l love the 8.

I wish there were pictures of the original buildings in their hey day.

You'll get tired on your way to his grave... You crack me up, San Diego Steve!

Awesome video

WOW I had no idea this existed. Thanks

That’s really interesting and I had know idea that it was a cabin and a business. I drive by it going to work every day. I think I’ll have to stop and explore. Thanks.

VERY INTERESTING!

Great thank you

I might check this out now :)

Love the video

There was a gas station and cafe on the west side of the road across from the homestead.

Good videos, I been watching a bunch. I hear you saying ''cement'' when you are speaking of concrete. These things are not the same, cement is an ingredient in concrete and these terms are not interchangeable. Keep up the great videos.

I remember driving on that section of Highway 80

The tires were thrown from trunks of "load vehicles". Illegals would throw them out of the trunks to make more room. I was Border Patrol at Campo Station in the 1990s. I know that area well.

loads of forgotten memories...

Pretty cool

That’s cool didn’t know

Sweet place from the past .

The graffiti remind me of my dog who pees on everything

My great-grandfather, J. S. Hayden, purchased the property and operated the hotel and bottling plant. My grandfather told me that the dynamo backfired, causing a fire that resulted in the loss of the hotel.

Maybe it was a good thing falling into the cactus was not caught on camera. I'm sure a few expletives were used :-D. I appreciate the effort to making this video. I'll have to visit this place sometime. I've been to the rest stop many times.

Great video, fascinating historical sites. I'm surprised you haven't come across a mountain lion during your adventures.

That creek is in sad shape compared to its former glory!

You could do a re-enactment of falling into the cactus bed. That would add some lively action into this otherwise uneventful but interesting video. You could set the camera on a tripod or just have someone with you to work the camera. Really, the video could use some more action shots so your experience with the cactus bed would surely add some excitement to the video. Get more watchers I bet. Not everyone knows how to do it and since you're experienced I'm sure you would look realistic since you've done it before. Better even with two cameras . . . a wide shot and a hand held first-person perspective. It needs to look realistic . . . no fake "simulations" . . . or isn't worth doing. Anyway . . . very interesting to see the old highway going up through the Devil's Playground. It's obvious you took quite a bit of time to make these videos and I really enjoy the history. Needs some cactus shots to spice things up though.

Do people still go hang gliding off the hill above the Rest stop? Drove up there last year...didnt see anybody....haven't seen anybody hang gliding up there in years...used to be popular back in the 80s

That’s across the street from one of my favorite paragliding areas (Horse)

What is the purpose of the fence? Is it private property? Are there any pictures of the property with pictures?

Damn that hole would be hard to get out from

I live nearby. Not sure if Buckman Springs was ever a "town." Interesting area, though.

The cafe and gas station were on the south side of the road.