Near Hesperia in San Bernardino County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Atongai Indian Village

Oldest Known Settlement in Hesperia

— Prehistoric —

Atongai Indian Village Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, February 7, 2021

1. Atongai Indian Village Marker

Inscription. A prehistoric Indian village called Atongai once existed here. In 1776, famed Padre Garces visited this settlement, where in 1819 mission native converts began building a place for Christian worship. Their efforts failed when they were killed by Mojave warriors.

Erected 1995 by Hesperia Recreation and Park District. (Marker Number 7.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1776.

Location. 34° 21.071′ N, 117° 14.874′ W. Marker is near Hesperia, California, in San Bernardino County. It is on Arrowhead Lake Road 0.1 miles north of Welsh Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 18788 Welsh Rd, Hesperia CA 92345, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles,

in the Peninsular Ranges,

and specifically in the Transverse 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 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Hesperia’s Original Water Source (here, next to this marker); Mojave Indian Trail (approx. 2.3 miles away); Holcomb Valley Road (approx. 4 miles away); Las Flores Ranch / Guapiabit / This Fenced Lane / Mojave Trail (approx. 5.1 miles away); Original Water Supply Ditch

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(approx. 5.1 miles away); Las Flores Ranch Barn (approx. 5.2 miles away); Old School House (approx. 5.6 miles away); Walters Store & House (approx. 5.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hesperia.

Photographed by Craig Baker, February 7, 2021

2. Atongai Indian Village Marker

The Hesperia’s Original Water Source marker is on the same monument.

Photographed by Craig Baker, February 7, 2021

3. Atongai Indian Village Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 9, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 1,612 times since then and 93 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 9, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.