Near Beaumont in Riverside County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Saahatpa

Photographed by Craig Baker, March 29, 2019

1. Saahatpa Marker

Inscription. Chief Juan Antonio and his band of Cahuilla Indians helped white settlers in the San Bernardino area defend their property and livestock against outlaws during the 1840s and 1850s. In late 1851, Juan Antonio, his warriors and their families, settled at nearby Saahatpa. During the winter of 1862-63, a smallpox epidemic swept through Southern California killing many Native Americans, including Juan Antonio. Cahuilla tradition asserts that the U.S. government sent Army blankets that were contaminated with smallpox. After this disaster, Saahatpa was abandoned.

Erected 1987 by California State Parks; Riverside County Historical Commission; and E Clampus Vitus. (Marker Number 749.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the E Clampus Vitus series lists.

Location. 33° 57.496′ N, 117° 1.17′ W. Marker is near Beaumont, California, in Riverside County. It can be reached from Interstate 10 1.3 miles west

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of Oak Valley Parkway, on the right when traveling west. The marker is in an abandoned rest area, not open to the public. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Beaumont CA 92223, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles,

in the Inland Empire,

and in the Peninsular Ranges.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Beaumont Library District (approx. 2.9 miles away); Model 1902 (approx. 5.3 miles away); Yucaipa Adobe (approx. 6½ miles away); Yucaipa Rancheria (approx. 6½ miles away); Banning Woman's Club Clubhouse (approx. 8.4 miles away); Camp Mill Creek (approx. 8½ miles away); The Greenspot Market (approx. 9.1 miles away); Henry Harbinson Sinclair (approx. 9.1 miles away).

Photographed by Craig Baker, March 29, 2019

2. Saahatpa Marker

Photographed by Craig Baker, March 29, 2019

3. Saahatpa Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 29, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 850 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 29, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.