People of the Magic Waters: The Cahuilla Indians of Palm Springs

The authors of this book, an archeologist and an historian, collaborated on this fascinating study of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians of Palm Springs, California. Centuries ago, the humble ancestors of this tribe settled in this warm and beautiful valley. They developed complex communities in the numerous hidden canyons tucked into the sides of the towering mountains on the valley's edge. There, with abundant water cascading down mountain streams, they thrived on local plant and animal life. They grew crops of melons, squash, beans and corn. They gathered native plants and seeds for food, medicines and basket making. They hunted deer, bear, rabbit, and quail for food and pelts. Today, the archeological remnants of their peaceful society can still be seen in the stone, art, housepits and foundations, and seed grinding holes in the rocks that border their ancient settlements. The Agua Caliente Band of Indians were industrious and creative with a reputation for independence, integrity and peace. They believed this productive land of their ancestors would be theirs forever. That all changed in 1876 when the firm hand of the United States government fell upon the Agua Caliente lands. While they deeded in trust 52,000 acres to the tribe to be used as a "homeland," they also deeded to the Southern Pacific Railroad huge sections of former Indian land adjacent to its tracks. The path of "manifest destiny," however, has treated this tribe better than most and today their surviving members are a prosperous, generous, and integral part of the cultural, social, and business life of Palm Springs. This book chronicles their truly amazing story.