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The Cahuilla Indians were the earliest inhabitants of Twentynine Palms and
were discovered in the early 1800's residing in the area known as Mara, where water and wildlife were abundant and palm trees flourished.
This area in now called the Oasis of Mara and is a popular attraction at the Joshua Tree National Park headquarters. The Chemehuevis were a nomadic band who left behind many artifacts and petroglyphs throughout this
area. These were collected largely by Twentynine Palms residents and given to the Park for safe-keeping, where they are constantly being studied by archaeologists, scientists, and educators.
The Indians began to share this desert paradise with settlers in the late 1800's.
Col. Washington led an expeditionary brigade to the area in 1855, and while
staying in the oasis, counted 29 of the famous palm trees there, thus naming the
area Twentynine Palms. Or so the story goes...
Settlers found Twentynine Palms rich in minerals, and miners prospered here
for many decades. The evidence of their time here is found mainly in the National Park, where old mines and miner's homes still exist. One of the best known and most colorful of these miners was Bill Keys, whose
life is depicted in this community's first historical mural.
Homesteaders, who arrived on the scene in the 1920's, were also impressed by the desert's vast natural resources, but had to rely greatly on their
own resourcefulness to live adequately in the harsh environment. After World War I, many veterans suffering the effects of deadly mustard gas were sent to Twentynine Palms by Dr. James Luckie, where the dry, clean
air enabled them
to breathe easier and live healthier, more productive lives. They became the hearty pioneers who dug roads by hand and learned to make things happen themselves when "no" was the answer
they got from governmental agencies after repeated requests for services.
Early homesteaders were allowed to settle 160 acres of land and were required to build a uniform-sized dwelling for a designated
period of time, after which they gained title to the land. To promote this opportunity, the government's advertisements stated "We bet you 160 acres that you can't live on it for three years." Many of
these cabins can still be seen throughout the more remote areas of the community. Homesteading ceased in the 1950's. Many residents of Twentynine Palms are fourth and fifth generation offspring of the original
homesteaders.
Things really began to happen in the late 1920's and 1930's, when the first schoolhouse was built, a general store opened, and a community newspaper, The Desert Trail, began publication.
The area now known as the Historic Plaza was the original business district of Twentynine Palms.
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