In the mid 1850s, this area was a known hideout for the legendary bandit Joaquin Murrieta, who worked as a vaquero for John Marsh on his rancho just east of here, and it was also frequented by John "Grizzly" Adams, the famed California mountain man. In 1927, Old Marsh Creek Springs became the site of the first natural swimming pool in Contra Costa County. Gerould (Jerry) and Verna Gill founded Old Marsh Creek Springs, which included four baseball fields, two swimming pools, and a large dance hall, and the grounds became a popular place for recreation and entertainment, often attracting more than 5,000 visitors on a weekend. In 1965, John and Eloise McHugh bought the park and remodeled it carefully year by year to preserve the natural beauty of Old Marsh Creek Springs.