CACHAGUA COMMUNITY PARK

Map of Carmel Valley, CA US

The origin of the name Cachagua is uncertain. Its use, however, goes back to the 1850’s with the spelling “Jasshagua” and is likely to have native Esselen or Spanish influences. In 1875 the area was referred to as “Jachagua” and by 1883 the creek was noted on official surveys as “Gacho Agua.” Although the etymology of the name and its meaning are lost to history, the community itself is well defined.

The Esselen were well established in the area, called Xasáuan, with several villages circa 1750. Padre Serra baptized the first Esselen here in 1775 and subsequent “conversions” and diseases decimated the population. The present day settlement was established in the 1880’s and remains to this day a remote and ruggedly independent community.

In 1948, the post-war boom in public works projects came to the remote settlement of Cachagua in the form of the Los Padres Dam. In addition to the dam, the California Water & Telegraph Co. built several river-rock structures to support the crews working on the dam. In 1965 the California-American Water Co. acquired the California Water & Telegraph Co. and with it, its property in Cachagua. Cal-Am used the site as a retreat for employees until the early 1980’s.

ESSELEN CULTURE

The Esselen people have lived in this area for thousands of years. Some reports date them from 7000 BC. Beginning in 1790, Spanish subjugation and disease destroyed their culture, their villages, their world.  Miraculously though, there are still people of Esselen descent among us. The artifacts and sites of cultural significance that still live in and on the earth are part of their heritage.
PLEASE RESPECT THEIR ARTIFACTS AND THEIR PLACES!

Responding to the need for a youth oriented community park in Cachagua, the District negotiated the purchase from Cal-Am in 1990. Today, in addition to the culturally significant Esselen midden, there is a ballfield, tot-lot playground, picnic facilities, and a recreation room for the community. The park is administered by the non-profit Cachagua Community Center. They have a Board of Directors that oversee management and maintenance of the park while the District retains ownership of the park and provides staff and financial support as needed.
The Community Center Board meets monthly at the park.

REMEMBER!
Stay on designated trails ~ walk softly, take only memories and leave only footprints. AND, be sure to pack out what you pack in.