Near Camp Pendleton in San Diego County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Panhe: Place by the Water
Photographed By Adam Margolis, October 3, 2021
1. Panhe: Place by the Water Marker
The ancient village of Panhe (pan), meaning "place by the water" in the Acjachemen (A-ha-che-men) language, is nestled along the San Mateo Creek. The Acjachemen are the Native Americans of Orange and Northern San Diego County who have called this valley home for thousands of years.
The abundant water, plentiful deer, rabbit, quail, sea life, and plants made this valley an ideal place for a village. The plants were used as food, medicine, shelter, and clothing. The village life consisted of numerous extended families. Life for the Acjachemen was drastically altered in 1769 when explorers from Spain arrived to create permanent settlements in California. This resulted in the creation of 21 missions along California's El Camino Real, or "Royal Highway". A mission at San Juan Capistrano was built in 1776 and Panhe, a large village, became a major source of labor for this construction. The first baptism in California took place one mile inland from present day San Mateo Campground, when two dying children were baptized, hence the street name adjoining the San Mateo campground, "Cristianitos."
Today, Panhe is a Traditional
this page online
The Acjachemen continue to hold Panhe as a special place through numerous ceremonies and cultural gatherings.
Erected 2018 by California State Parks.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Churches & Religion • Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1769.
Location. 33° 23.84′ N, 117° 35.455′ W. Marker is near Camp Pendleton, California, in San Diego County. Marker can be reached from Panhe Nature Trail, 0.1 miles north of Cristianitos Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Oceanside CA 92058, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Basilone Road (here, next to this marker); Forster City (approx. 1.1 miles away); San Clemente (approx. 2 miles away); San Clemente Pier (approx. 2.3 miles away); Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens (approx. 2.3 miles away); City of San Clemente Lifeguards (approx. 2.3 miles away); San Clemente Island & Catalina Island
Photographed By Adam Margolis, October 3, 2021
2. Panhe: Place by the Water Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on October 13, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 6, 2021, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. This page has been viewed 205 times since then and 74 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 6, 2021, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
