BIG SUR DOGHOLE PORTS: A FRONTIER MARITIME CULTURAL LANDSCAPE By Jason Field A thesis submitted to Sonoma State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTERS OF ARTS in Cultural Resources Management Margaret Purser, Ph.D., Chair Department of Anthropology Laura Watt, Ph.D. Department of Environmental Studies and Planning Rae Schwaderer, M.A. Associate State Archaeologist, CA Department of Parks and Recreation Copyright 2017 By Jason Field ii Authorization for Reproduction I grant permission for the print or digital reproduction of this thesis [project] in its entirety, without further authorization from me, on the condition that the person or agency requesting reproduction absorbs the cost and provide proper acknowledgement of authorship. DATE: 4/12/2017 Jason Field Name iii Big Sur Doghole Ports: A Frontier Maritime Cultural Landscape Thesis by Jason Field ABSTRACT Purpose: This study seeks to establish a foundation of research for a subject that has been largely overlooked in the archaeological and historical literature of California in general and Big Sur in particular. Doghole ports served as essential conduits of transportation, communication, and commerce in maritime frontier regions that lacked developed terrestrial transportation networks. Understanding the role of these landings will greatly increase the historic context of the surrounding landscape. In addition, since many doghole ports had not been recorded as archaeological sites prior to this study, it aims to determine what types of archaeological signatures exist and introduce frameworks for interpreting and managing these unique sites. Procedure: This study gathered and examined historical documents, including photographs, maps, land patents, articles of incorporation, and newspapers in an attempt to define a historic context of Big Sur’s maritime landscape during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Archaeological pedestrian reconnaissance was performed at five doghole ports and one navigational aid site. The documentary and archaeological data were analyzed in reference to the maritime cultural landscape and landscape learning theoretical frameworks and the research questions set forth in this study. Findings: Documentary sources and archaeological data gathered through several field surveys combine to illustrate a landscape of industrial and technological innovation and environmental adaptation. Archaeologically, natural features were often found to substitute for human constructions and environmental obstacles were adapted to serve economic and transportation purposes. Conclusions: Doghole port sites and related elements in Big Sur embody a maritime cultural landscape of transportation and industry, which prior to this study, has not been addressed. Examining the documentary and archaeological record in a maritime cultural landscape framework illustrate newfound links amongst sites and features. Terrestrial archaeological features are no longer entirely terrestrial as the framework illuminates their maritime orientation and connection. This perspective can contribute to a much needed dialogue on how to address the maritime heritage of California. MA Cultural Resources Management Sonoma State University Date: 4/12/2017 iv Acknowledgments This study could not have been accomplished without the help and support of several key individuals and organizations. First, I would like to thank my committee chair, Dr. Margaret Purser, who provided a wealth of knowledge and assisted immensely in coordinating with important agencies, such as California State Parks and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Dr. Purser provided a challenging and supportive academic and learning environment that allowed me to address my true interests. I would like to thank my committee member, Rae Schwaderer, for her interest and support in this topic and allowing me to survey and document these important cultural resources on State Park property. Rae also provided State Park camping accommodations, which was a great convenience. I would also like to thank, Dr. Laura Watt, committee member, who provided great input and ideas for this study. The Anthropological Studies Center was also an immensely valuable resource. Kate Green helped initiate thesis fieldwork during the ASC small projects internship. Mike Konzak and Bryan Mischke were also greatly helpful in honing my GIS knowledge and also providing assistance with GPS gear. I am also indebted to my cohort, who was all great support throughout the coursework and internships at Sonoma State. Also, good times at Lobos! Thank you to those that partook in the fieldwork component of my research, including Lauren Carriere, Ryan Poska, Erica Thompson, Brittney Biasi, Pete Banke, Travis, Willie and others. Thank you to the Big Sur Land Trust, who allowed me to document archaeological resources on their property. It became an essential component of this study. Family and friends were also very supportive. I also cannot forget the Big Sur community, who showed great interest in this research. v Table of Contents Acknowledgments…..….…………………………………………………………………v Table of Contents……………………………………………………...…………...…….vi List of Figures…………………………………………………………….….…………..ix CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………1 Study Area and Archaeological Sites Recorded………………………………….3 Big Sur…………………………..…………………………………...……3 Archaeological Sites…………………………..…………………………..5 Theoretical Frameworks…………………………..……………………..……….7 The Maritime Cultural Landscape……………………………………..….7 Landscape Learning…………………………..…………………….……..8 Research Questions……………………………………………………….………8 Data Sources…………………………..…………………………...……………11 Thesis Organization…………………………..………………...……………….12 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK……15 Introduction…………………………………………………………..………….15 Cultural Landscapes and Maritime Archaeology.…………………...…………16 The Land-Sea Divide and the National Register……………………………….19 The Maritime Cultural Landscape……………………………………...………24 Maritime Heritage Management…………………..……..………………36 Landscape Learning…………………………..……………………...…………39 Landscape Learning in Maritime Contexts..……...…………….………..42 Western Environmental History……………………………………….…43 Doghole Port Literature…………………………..……………………….…….44 Literature Summary………………….………………………..………….……..46 CHAPTER 3: HISTORIC CONTEXT OF BIG SUR DOGHOLE PORTS…………48 Introduction…………………………..…………………………..…….….…….48 California Markets and Coastal Industry……………………………………....49 Development of California Doghole Ports…………………………….………..54 Cultural Occupations in Big Sur ……………………………………………….56 Native American Period…………………..……………………….……..56 Spanish and Mexican Period…………………..……………………...…58 vi American Period……..………………..………………………………..60 Industrial Development in Big Sur…………………………..…………………61 Doghole Ports of Big Sur…………………………..……………………………65 Coal Chute and Strader’s Landing…………………………..…………..68 Notley’s Landing…………………………..……………………………..70 Bixby Landing………………………..…………………………………..76 Point Sur………………………..………………………………………..80 Big Sur River Mouth………………………..……………………………82 Partington’s Seaview Landing………………………..………………….84 Anderson/ Saddle Rock Landing………………………..………………..87 Harlan Landing………………………..…………………………………89 Rockland Landing………………………..………………………………91 Mill Creek Landing………………………..……………………………..95 Pacific Valley Landing………………………..………………………….85 Cape San Martin Landing………………………..………………………96 Alder Creek Landing………………………..……………………………98 A Frontier Landscape….………………………………………………...99 Additional Maritime Elements: Lighthouses and Shipwrecks…...………....100 Decline of Coastal Commerce and Doghole Ports…………..……….………103 Historic Context and Archaeological Survey…..…………………………..…104 CHAPTER 4: ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY………………………..……………106 Archaeological Survey Locations……………………………….……………106 Pre-field Research and Documentary Evidence…………...……….…..……106 Archaeological Survey Goals……………..…………………………..………109 Archaeological Survey Methods and Approaches to Site Recording.….……110 Archaeological Survey Results………..……………………………….………114 Notley’s Landing………………………..………………...…………….114 Big Sur River Mouth………………………..…………………………..119 Partington Landing………………………..……………………………122 Rockland Landing………………………..………………………..……127 Coat Chute Point………………………..………………………………131 Signal Rock………………………..……………………………...…….133 Unrecorded/ Inaccessible Features……………………………………..……..135 Site Patterns and Differentiations……………………………………………..136 vii CHAPTER 5: PIECING TOGETHER THE MARITIME CULTURAL LANDSCAPE…………………………..………………………………………………140 Elements that Define a Doghole Ports…………………………………….…..141 Managing the Doghole Port……………………………………………145 Elements that Define the Doghole Port Maritime Cultural Landscape..…….146 Land Remains-Terrestrial Transportation…………………….……..…147 Traditions of Usage…………………………………………………….149 Linking Maritime Cultural Landscape Elements……………………………..152 Maritime Infrastructure……………………………………...…………154 Bridging the Shoreline Divide………………………….……...……….157 Managing Boundaries…………………………………………………..160 Reassessing the Landscape: The Roles of Doghole Ports…………………….162 Reliance on Coastal Commerce…………………………….…………..165 A Unique Maritime Cultural Landscape...…………..……...………….167 Landscape Learning in a Maritime Frontier………………………………….168 Prior Knowledge………………………………………………………..170 New Environments……………………….……………………………..171 Changing Technologies and Environmental Understandings………….173 Environmental Misunderstandings…………………………….……….175 Maritime Conservativeness……………………….…………………….177 Supporting Frameworks……………………………………………………….179 The Doghole Port as a Taskscape………………………………..…….179 The