A Trail Through Time: Hopland to Lakeport on an "Old Indian Trail"
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A Trail through Time: Hopland to Lakeport on an "Old Indian Trail" by Mary Gerbic A thesis submitted to Sonoma State University in partial fulfillment ofthe requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS in Cultural Resources Management Margaret Purser, Ph.D., Chair Department of Anthropology Matthew Clark, Ph.D. Department ofGeography and Global Studies Donna Gillette, M.A. Date Copyright 2011 by Mary A. Gerbic ii AUTHORIZATION FOR REPRODUCTION OF MASTERS THESIS/PROJECT I grant permission for the reproduction ofthis thesis in its entirety, without further authorization from me, on the condition that the person or agency requesting reproduction absorb the cost and provide proper acknowledgement of authorship. Date: Signature III A Trail through Time: Hopland to Lakeport on an "Old Indian Trail" Thesis by Mary Gerbic Abstract Purpose ofthe Study: The purpose ofthis study is to generate a context for describing the use and reuse of a trail through the Mayacmas Mountains, historically described as the "Trail between Hopland and Lakeport", and also having its origins as an "Indian Trail". This study area for this project is the Hopland Research and Extension Center (HREC), because the trail is thought to pass through the HREC property. The study ofthis trail also has the potential to contribute to ongoing regional archaeological studies in the southern North Coast Ranges and highlight areas of potential interest for future research. Methods: The study used archaeological, ethnographic, historic, geographic data and local knowledge to identify the route ofthis trail. Sections of the hypothesized route were surveyed, mapped within a GIS, and evaluated using ANOVA and T -Test to determine if there was statistical probability ofa relationship between the trail segments and a set of archaeological sites, as compared to a set of randomly generated points. Findings: The "Trail from Hopland to Lakeport" is historically documented as passing through Benmore Valley and turning west towards Hopland. There are three routes across the HREC, each ofwhich has multiple lines ofevidence supporting its use in historic times. From the statistical test results I have concluded that there is a probability ofa relationship between segments oftwo routes and archaeological sites. More importantly, the relationship is strong for four segments, representing all three routes, and prehistoric sites. However, there is insufficient temporal data for the study area prehistoric sites to assign a more specific age to the trail. Trails often branch and bifurcate with changing needs and destinations. The northernmost trail segment was appropriated as a Settler's Road, but there is evidence that all three routes were in simultaneous or near-simultaneous use until the early 20th century. iv Conclusions The results ofthis study show that historical, ethnographic and local knowledge can be combined to successfully locate ephemeral features such as trails in a changing landscape. Although this information has a shallow time depth, it sets the stage by providing a starting point and framework for future investigations in the study area. Chair: ---------------------------- Signature MA Program, Cultural Resources Management Date:------------------ v Acknowledgements Alex DeGeorgey told me that it "takes a village" to complete a thesis. I would like to express my thanks and gratitude to the following people and institutions for being in my village. To my thesis committee members: Margaret Purser, Matthew Clark and Donna Gillette, for their time, encouragement, and constructive criticism, thank you. The people of the Hopland Research Extension Center, past and present, shared their stories, escorted me throughout the property and answered my questions when I needed help. John Poor, Chuck Vaughn, Robert Keiffer, Steven Poor, Shane Feirer, thanks so much for everything. Thank you to Shawn Pady of the Hopland Band of Porno Indians. I hope there will be more opportunities to expand the story that is told only in part in this thesis. I also want to extend my thanks to some local archaeologists who answered my questions and piqued my curiosity about the Mayacmas Mountains. Dr. John Parker, who first mentioned the trail across the Mayacmas and through Benmore Valley to me, and Alex DeGeorgey, Kate Erickson, Kat Kubal, Chris Lloyd, and Mike Newland. Many institutions and libraries were very helpful in my quest: Sonoma State University especially the staff ofthe Departments of Anthropology, Geography and Global Studies and the Jean and Charles Schulz Information Center, The Grace Hudson Museum in Ukiah, The Lakeport Historic Courthouse Museum, the Held-Poage Memorial Home and Research Library, The County of Mendocino Assessor's Office and County Surveyor's Office and last, but not least, the staff ofthe Northwest Information Center in Rohnert Park. To all my past instructors, the Cabrillo College Archaeology Technology Program, Rob Edwards, Charr Simpson-Smith, my friends and family for their encouragement and support: my father, who said I could do anything, Susan, who got me into this, Jan, for her editing, and Mark, for putting up with me. Thank you! vi Table of Contents Chapter Page Chapter 1 Introduction ........................................................... 1 Thesis Organization and Questions ................................ 4 Chapter 2 Why Look for a Trail? .............................................., 5 Chapter 3 Landscape Archaeology .............................................. 10 Chapter 4 The Study Area ....................................................... 19 Chapter 5 Culture Chronology for the North Coast Ranges ................ 26 Chapter 6 Previous Research ................................................... 32 Regional Archaeological Work .................................... 32 Other Regional Studies.............................................. 33 Hopland Area Archaeological Work .............................. 36 Archaeological Work at the HREC ................................ 39 Chapter 7 Cultural History ofthe Hopland Area............................. 46 Central Porno Geography ........................................... 48 Porno Neighbors. ...... .... ...... ... ...... ...... ...................... 52 The Shokawa ......................................................... 53 Trade and Travel..................................................... 55 Evidence for Ritual Activity ........................................ 61 Porno Linguistics.... .. .. ...... ............ .. ... .. ............ ... 61 European Contact ..................................................... 64 American Relations .................................................. 67 Sanel, Hopland and Transportation................................ 72 The Hopland Rancheria ............................................. 75 History ofthe HREC: The Pratt Ranch and the Poor Ranch ... 77 John Poor's Recollection ofRoads and Trails ................... 78 Henry Mauldin's Visit to Benmore Valley....................... 83 Chapter 8 Background Research and Survey ................................. 86 Evidence from Historical Accounts and Maps ................... 86 GLO Plat Maps................................... ....... 86 vii Henry Mauldin's Visitto Benmore Valley............ 88 Conversations with Local Ranchers .................. 94 Field Work: The Settler's Road .................................... 95 Field Work: The Packsaddle Horse Trail ......................... 96 Field Work: The Riley Ridge Route ............................... 97 Possible Campsites, and Modem Uses ofthe Riley Ridge Route.................................................................... 99 Chapter 9 Methods ............................................................... 103 Archaeological Sites and Attributes ................................ 104 Trail Segment Field Methods........................................ 106 Post Survey: Trail Routes Segments and Sites.................. 107 Trails and Site Statistical Methods................................. 108 Chapter 10 Results ................................................................. 129 Summary ofStatistical Results ..... ............................... 129 Chapter 11 Discussion ............................................................ 133 Management Considerations for Landscapes ..................... 134 Future Directions for Research ..................................... 136 Chapter 12 Conclusion ............................................................ 140 References Cited ............................................................................. 141 viii List of Figures Figure Page Figure I Map of California showing the location ofthe study area ..... 3 Figure 2 Map of Lake and Mendocino Counties and the study area ..... 21 Table 1 Sites Located on or near the HREC as of Spring 2011 ........... 44 Figure 3 From Barrett (1908), showing a detail of Central Porno territory near Hopland ................................................. 49 Figure 4 Central Porno territory (From Figure 4, McLendon and Oswalt 1978:278) ................................................... 50 Figure 5 Porno boundaries, highlighting groups discussed in this thesis. Map adapted from Stewart (1943) ........................ 51 Figure 6 Boundaries of the Ciego, Shanel, Yobakeya and Makahmo Porno tribelets.Map adapted from Peri et al.(1985:Map 2a)... 52 Figure 7 Indian Trail map adapted from Davis (1974[1961]) ........... 57 Figure 8a West half ofT13N Rll W (1889) and Tl4N Rll W(1895) .... 87