NATIVE INDIANS
There is evidence that possible ancestors of the Northern Diegueno Indians lived in the Harmony Grove area.
An archeological bonanza, many artifacts have been found and efforts to preserve others are underway.
Mortars, metates, pictographs, and petroglyphs discovered there help shed light on the Uyman language
they were known to have spoken and contribute to a clearer understanding of their primitive way of life
more than 9,000 years ago.
There are ancient petroglyphs in rocks at the extreme western end of Ninth Avenue.
These are Indian symbols and have a connection with others found in Escondido, Hemet, Borrego, and
Rancho Bernardo. They seem to be direction finders similar to the magnificent rocks at Stonehenge in England.
The environs of Harmony Grove area were used for meetings of many different Indian tribes. It was considered
their Peace Grounds. The Indians believed that the entire area of Harmony Grove and Elfin Forest gave off beneficial
vibrations.
Two tribes of Indians who inhabited our area were San Dieguenos and Luisenos. Indians ate edible grasses,
wild garlic, mustard, dandelions, berries and other goodies that the unenlightened don't know about. The indigenous
oak trees provided acorns that were an important source of nourishment. At least one person in the area has found
metates on his property.
Surely Indians and early settlers ate deer whose descendants are to be seen in the Questhaven area.