Paxauxa facts for kids

Paxauxa was an important village where two Native American groups, the Tongva and the Payómkawichum, lived together. It was located in what is now Corona, California, right next to Temescal Creek. People from Paxauxa might have been recorded in church books at Mission San Juan Capistrano under the name Axaxa. Other villages nearby were Poruumanga and Shiishongna. Sometimes, you might see the name spelled as Pakhavka.

What Does the Name Paxauxa Mean?

The name Paxauxa likely comes from the Tongva language. It might be from the word Axawknga. This word means something like "in the net."

The History of Paxauxa Village

Paxauxa was actually two villages. They were located on opposite sides of Temescal Creek. This area was on the southern edge of the Tongva homeland, called Tovaangar. It was also on the northern edge of the Payómkawichum territory. Lake Elsinore to the south was part of the Payómkawichum lands.

This location made Paxauxa a very important place. It was a meeting point for the Tongva and Payómkawichum people. They often worked together and even married people from the other group. This helped them build strong social and political ties.

After Mission San Juan Capistrano was built in 1776, some villagers were taken there. They were baptized at the mission. It is not clear exactly when the village of Paxauxa was left empty or destroyed.

Images for kids

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  A historical photo of the circle of Corona, California in the 1940s. Temescal Creek is in the front. The creek was very close to where Paxauxa was located.