Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Thu, August 27, 2020 History Add to trip Remove from trip Palm Springs Indian Heritage Centuries ago, ancestors of the Agua Caliente Cahuilla (pronounced Kaw-we-ah) Indians settled in the Palm Springs area and developed extensive and complex communities in Palm, Murray, Andreas, Tahquitz and Chino Canyons. Indian Canyons is the collective reference of Palm, Murray, and Andreas canyons which are situated together. Since then, many traces of these communities exist in the canyons today, including rock art, house pits and foundations, reservoirs, trails, and food processing areas. Archaeological research uncovered that the Cahuilla occupied Tahquitz Canyon for at least 5,000 years. The Cahuilla Indian name for Palm Springs area was Sec-he (boiling water); the Spanish who arrived named it Agua Caliente (hot water). And then came the name “Palm Springs” in reference to both the native Washigtonia filifera palm tree and Agua Caliente Hot Mineral Springs. Agua Caliente Government Deeds In 1876, the U.S. Federal Government deeded in trust to the Agua Caliente people 32,000 acres for their homeland. At the same time, they gave the Southern California Railroad 10 miles of odd sections of land to intice them to build the railroad. Of the reservation’s 32,000 acres, some 6,700 lie within the Palm Springs city limits. The remaining sections fan out across the desert and mountains in a checkerboard pattern. As early as the 1890’s, Palm Springs and the surrounding area have been described as a recreation oasis. Tahquitz Canyon and three southern canyons are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Palm Canyon is considered the world’s largest California Fan Palm Oasis. The Aqua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians remains actively involved with the City of Palm Springs. More From History View All Posts Agua Caliente Tribe: A Brief History The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians is a federally recognized tribe of the Cahuilla… Read More How Walt Disney Enchanted Palm Springs The Wonderful World of Palm Springs By Randy Garner In 1938, Walt Disney came for… Read More Exploring Palm Springs on Horseback Unleash Your Inner Equestrian at Smoke Tree Stables While there are numerous ways to experience… Read More