years before the Spanish colonial period. Native Americans from many different tribes knew of Tassajara and its healing properties. In 1843 Jack Swan met a group of Indians traveling up Carmel Valley on their way to the springs. He learned they were planning to build a sweat lodge to try to cure skin disease that had infected a number of them. Swan wrote, "Frequently there would be several tribes there at one time but because of the great abundance of wild game of all kinds and fish they had no trouble living." The native people were subjugated by Spanish missionaries beginning in 1770 through the California Mission system under Father Junípero Serra. These claims are contested by the Diocese of Monterey. By the time of the American Civil War, the Europeans who came upon Tassajara found few traces of the Esselens' earlier presence. A few Esselen apparently continued to live in the region until at least the 1840s, escaping the harsh conditions of the mission and disease due to their remoteness. Europeans The springs were discovered by Europeans when a hunter found the springs in 1843. The springs were visited early on by Europeans when the only access was by means of a difficult trail. J. E. Rust built a cabin in about 1868 but didn't stay long. In 1994, a skeleton was unearthed near Tassajara, and research suggested the individual had died about 150 years ago. In 1863, there was a brief "silver rush" in the Tassajara region. Eighteen mining claims were filed by 135 men in the "Agua Caliente Mining District" ("supposed to contain gold and silver"). The first mining claim for the area was recorded during the period of May 1–25, and it was named the "Vulcan Ledge", including "the stream of water called 'Agua Caliente'" (that is, the Tassajara Hot Springs). In March, 1885 Charles W. and Mary E. Quilty of San Jose bought the springs. Charles hired a surveyor and started work on the road from James Ranch to Chew’s Ridge. The work from the summit down was done by unemployed Chinese miners and railroad builders from San Francisco and San Jose who used pick, shovel, and blasting powder. There were numerous unemployed Chinese miners and railroad builders in San Francisco and San Jose who worked for $.50 a day and provided their own food. Visitors traveled by stage over a rocky and steep road