Wikangna

Wikangna (pronounced wi-kong-na)^[1] was a Tongva village located in the Crescenta Valley area, possibly in Las Barras Canyon at the site of the Verdugo Hills Golf Course.^[2][3] Wikangna was one of three central villages located in the Crescenta Valley area, including Tuyunga and the largest settlement of Hahamongna.^[2]

History

Wikangna prospered for thousands of years, thriving off the abundance of the local flora and fauna of the area,^[2] including large sprawling oak forest (of which a small part remains) and a small spring.^[4]

The arrival of Spanish colonizers in 1771 led to the decline of the village. This similarly occurred with nearby villages in the area.^[2] Wikangna was likely abandoned completely during the mission period.^[3]

After the missions were secularized by the First Mexican Republic in 1833, some villagers who survived the high death rate of the missions, returned to Wikangna shortly.^[3] This was noted by Phil Begue, whose family purchased the land in 1882, recalling that there were a band of "Indians" camped in the area before his family took possession of the land.^[3] It is likely they were chased off the land shortly after.^[3]

References