Temescal Valley Times
Indian Pictographs Historical Marker
A Solitary Stone Marks An Obscure Message
Written by Larry Hunt
Alone on a hill overlooking Dawson Canyon is a solitary stone that peers out over Temescal Valley, California. Its posture is reminiscent of an Easter Island monument.
In the distance is the busy Interstate 15 freeway. At the top of the hill is a well-traveled road leading to the local landfill. It has stood here since before these thoroughfares existed. What is this rock?
It has two names. The US Geographic Survey lists this site as Indian Pictographs Historical Marker while the California Historical Landmark list numbers it 190, calling it Painted Rock. Why is it here?
In 1927 this rock was in the right-of-way of the Santa Fe Railroad tracks. The Corona Woman's Improvement Club came to its aid. A cement base was poured around the rock by the Santa Fe Railroad Company and a plaque was placed within the base by the Woman's Club. The plaque, unfortunately, is no longer in its well-tailored base.
According to one reference work "Chief Lafio of Temecula said the painted rock was the work of the Temecula (Luiseño) Indians, perhaps telling of a three-day fiesta or a religious celebration. It may have been, however, a flood warning, since the San Jacinto River formerly flowed beside the rock and on it are four water signs similar to those found on other rocks listed in the report of the United States Bureau of Ethnography."1.
1."Historic Spots in California" by Douglas E. Kyle
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