By RHEA-FRANCES TETLEY
Historian
“The Arrowhead” is a 7½ acre area of different soils on the side of the mountain on the eastern hillside of Waterman Canyon. The Arrowhead is 1,375 feet in length and 449 feet in width. Lake Arrowhead adopted its name, inspired by that well-known landmark.
How did the Arrowhead scar on the hillside below the mountain communities appear in the first place?
The Arrowhead markings on the mountainside, believed to have been created by the Great Spirit.
Geologists don’t know for sure, but they have various and conflicting theories. However, the Indians believed the “Great Spirit” had created it and each tribe had their own story to explain why. Here are two of them:
Coahuia Tribe legend
The peaceful Coahuia Tribe lived beyond the mountains to the east. They were harassed by their not so peaceful Indian neighbors and were unhappy and called upon the god of peace to help them find a new place to dwell. The Great Spirit looked favorably on these peaceful people and told them to go west and that they would be guided to the right place.
One moonless night, there appeared across the heavens a “flaming arrow of light” that seemed to embed itself into the mountainside. When the morning light appeared, they could see the Arrowhead emblazoned upon the mountainside. There they lived, peacefully in the foothills, in the shadow of the Arrowhead, remaining peaceful, honoring the Great Spirit until the coming of the white settlers.
Guachina Tribe legend
A place of plenty, referring to the fertility of the soil and the abundance of water. They began to refer to themselves as Guachina and became arrogant with others over their abundance.
The Great Spirit became displeased with their arrogance and sent a fierce Heat Spirit, who caused a drought and blighted their fields. The earth became parched and all green vegetation shriveled and the blasting heat continued. Their herds and flocks died due to a lack of food and water. They prayed for relief, making peace offerings to the gods, but the heat and famine continued.
They bowed in prayer, offering any sacrifice for the end of their ravage and promised to be humble in the future.
The chief had a beautiful daughter named Ne-wah-na, meaning Maiden of the New Moon, who was beloved by the tribe. A voice floated from the heavens, “Give Ne-wah-na as an offering to heaven.” The distraught chief sadly wrapped his only daughter in her richest robes, adorned her with gold trinkets and sadly allowed her to be sacrificed to the Heat Spirit.
Afterwards, the heavens opened up and a white arrow of light struck down the Heat Spirit and another one struck the side of the mountain, leaving its mark to remind them of the famine days and their prior arrogance to the Great Spirit and their neighbors.
Then, rain immediately began to flow, filling the streams with water. The Heat Spirit writhed in agony and the Earth opened and swallowed him. As it closed, hot boiling water bubbled up from the spot. The Guachina began to drink and bathe in the steaming waters and were healed from their illnesses brought about by the drought.
The tribe kept their promise, remained humble and became generous among their neighbors, living for generations in peace and prosperity in the bountiful valley with the Arrowhead reminding them of their ordeal and promises.
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