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 "Tecopa"
comes from a Native word meaning wildcat, like this local resident. The Tecopa Hot Springs have been a source of healing since time immemorial.
In
the last 150 years of immigration, mines and whole towns have come and
gone, along with numerous jobs and businesses. But the hot springs
endure. A
large
Paiute community called
Yaga was located near the springs. For thousands of years,
the area was traversed by a major trading trail, used by Shoshone and Paiute travelers
and many others. With the arrival of the Spanish, this route later
became known as the Old Spanish Trail between Santa Fe and Los Angeles. When mining communities expanded, a treaty agreement was reached
with
Paiute Chief Tecopa (also known as Tecopet and Tecopur) about shared use of the hot springs, so that everyone could continue to benefit from their healing powers. This agreement specified separate gender bathing, open hours,
no pollutants and no charge for use. The
agreement has been honored by everyone from the mid-1800s until November
1, 2004.
The Tonapah and Tidewater (T&T) Railroad later also used the springs
to refill the trains. In
the late 1920’s, Harry Rosenberg and Jim Francis
paid $10.00 to the
T&T President, J.B. Johnson, for the right to “open up [the]
spring ˝ mile east of the Squaw spring in order that the people of this
community can build a pool for the use of the public.” In 1930, the
springs were reserved for public use permanently by a Presidential
decree.
Throughout this time, users have kept alive the original agreement
regarding
appropriate use of these waters. The springs continue to provide relief
from a long list of ailments to visitors from all over the world, and to
local residents who call this area home. |
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