Rancho Aguaje de la Centinela was chosen by settlers for its ready source of fresh artesian water.  The spring water made the Rancho Centinela attractive for farming crops and herds.

Archibald Garner was commissioned to create the monumental water fountain to mark the spring at the center of what was originally Centinela Park. Garner constructed three basins from irregular granite boulders to quench human, horse, and canine thirsts.  Although the drinking fountain is no longer operational, Centinela Springs still flow underground.

Garner’s fountain bears three plaques. The inscriptions read:

"FROM TIME IMMEMORIAL GOD'S BLESSING OF SWEET WATER TO ALL HIS CREATURES"
MARKED BY CALIFORNIA HISTORY AND LANDMARKS CLUB
MARCH 2, 1939

AGUAJE DE LA CENTINELA (CENTINELA SPRINGS) ON THIS SITE BUBBLING SPRINGS ONCE FLOWED FROM THEIR SOURCE IN A DEEP WATER BASIN WHICH HAS EXISTED CONTINUOUSLY SINCE THE PLEISTOCENE ERA. PREHISTORIC ANIMALS, INDIANS, AND EARLY INGLEWOOD SETTLERS WERE ATTRACTED HERE BY THE PURE ARTESIAN WATER. THE SPRINGS AND VALLEY WERE NAMED AFTER SENTINELS GUARDING THE CATTLE IN THE AREA.

CALIFORNIA REGISTERED HISTORICAL LANDMARK NO. 363
PLAQUE PLACED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION IN COOPERATION WITH THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF CENTINELA VALLEY
OCTOBER 9, 1976.

A second monument was created in 1970 for the re-dedication of the Centinela Springs.