Hugh Dimond

In the 1800s, much of the land around Sausal Creek belonged to one man, an Irish gold prospector and successful businessman named Hugh Dimond (1830–1896). Sometimes called the “Western Prince” for his generous spending, Dimond was a central figure in the development of Sausal Creek in the late 19th century. In 1877, Dimond moved into his home on the 267 acres that he had purchased ten years earlier along Sausal Creek. Dimond’s home was a white, two-story, wooden structure surrounded by a veranda, and was situated just beyond the grove of redwoods in today’s Dimond Park. The Dimond family dammed Sausal Creek to create a swimming hole, and used an iron pipe to divert the creek’s water for household use. In addition, they built a fishing lodge (now a private home on Woodbine Avenue) where they caught trout. Dimond Park, Dimond Canyon, Dimond Avenue, and the Dimond District are all named after Hugh Dimond.