Cantua Creek

Known as Cantua Creek on an 1857 map. Named on Lillis Ranch 7.5" quadrangle. Arroyo Cantúa was the Spanish name for this creek. It was also commonly referred to as Arroyo Grande by members of the Murrieta gang.

The creek is named for Guadalupe Cantúa. The name Arroyo Cantúa was established during Alta California. Cantua Creek was made famous because it was the hideout of California's most famous bandit Joaquín Murrieta and his gang. Another famous bandit, Tuburcio Vásquez and a few other lesser known bad guys also used this place as their hideout.

Cantua Creek is also famous for short-lived end-times cult, lead by "Mariana la Loca" that grew to about 500 people during the 1880s.

Cantua Creek Near the Lillis Ranch