Taaqtam

The Taaqtam, known to the Spanish as the Serrano, inhabited the San Bernardino Mountains and the Mojave Desert. Desert communities lived along the Mojave River, while others made their homes among the pines of the mountains. Trade along the river connected them with other peoples: shell beads and asphaltum from the coast passed inland, while pottery and textiles travelled in the opposite direction.

Spanish missionaries founded San Gabriel in 1771 and claimed Serrano lands for the mission and its outposts. In 1812 Serrano joined Cahuilla and Quechan people in revolt against the missions. The San Bernardino estancia followed in 1819, and Serrano workers built the Mill Creek Zanja, a channel that brought water to the surrounding country. In 1834 the Mexican government forcibly moved many Serrano to the missions.