Marin Conservation League Walk Into (Conservation) History #13 Saturday, March 23, 2013 Olompali State Historic Park

Marin Conservation League 1623–A Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901 415.485.6257 marinconservationleague.org Marin Conservation League was founded in 1934 to preserve, protect and enhance the natural assets of Marin County. Marin Conservation League Walk Into (Conservation) History # 13 OLOMPALI STATE HISTORIC PARK MARCH 23, 2013 – 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

the property, but was ready Today’s walk to divest it. A fire in the 1911 provides an opportunity to view mansion, which exposed the Miwok physical evidence of human adobe, created hazards that residency of the site for some 500 prevented continued leasing of years and hear of even earlier the site. A developer offered to human use. Olompali State Historic acquire the whole site for a trailer Park is a site that spans the history park and condominiums running of California right here in Marin. far up the valley. That spurred citizen activity. An archeological We will see remnants of formal dig went on from 1972 to 1976 gardens with exotic imported plants and revealed information about the and native woodlands with native Miwok village of the mid-1500s. grasses and vibrant wildflowers. Gail Wilhelm applied for and Other walks MCL has sponsored got the site listed on the National have focused on the efforts it took Registry of Historic Places. The Walk Leaders by ordinary citizens to save special county recognized the importance Gail Wilhelm, Former Novato City Councilmember, former Marin lands of Marin from development of the site and offered to acquire and to conserve them for the public. half the site if the state put up the Supervisor, helped protect the adobe by covering it with plastic In some cases Marin Conservation other half of the funds. The intent in 1970, applied for designation of Olompali for listing in the League has played a lead role; in was to deed over the county half National Registry of Historic Places some cases it supported the efforts to the state. It took Pierre Joske, Diane Einstein, President of The Olompali People, vice chair of of others. In any case, no piece of then Director of Marin County Parks land or shore has come into public and Open Space, many months the Marin State Parks Association and a Master Gardener hands without a huge cooperative to convince the State Parks and Nick Tipton, Native American and member of Graton Rancheria citizen effort to advocate for Recreation Commission that the site preservation and, where necessary, was worthy of state preservation. Clint Kellner, Biologist and Vice-Chair of The Olompali People raise funds for acquisition. Acquisition was completed in 1977. In 1981 it was designated a State Susan Stompe, President of Marin Conservation League and a The critical period for Olompali was during the 1970s. The Historic Park. founding board member of The Olompali People University of San Francisco owned The support group, The Olompali

2 1942—The widowed 1852— Josephine Burdell sells sells most of his prop- the property. A string of erty to James Black, 1776—Franciscan priests owners follow. establish missions in Northern Marin County Assessor California. The 1972—Olompali accepted begin to decline. 1967—Business- into the National Registry man-turned-hippie of Historic Places 1863—James Black’s daughter, Maria Don McCoy leases 1932—Olompali 1843—Governor Manuel Augustina, marries Dr. Galen Burdell Olompali for his designated California 1400—Olompali is one of Micheltorena of (San Francisco’s first dentist). The couple commune, “The State Landmark No. the largest Miwok deeds Camilo the Rancho Olompali, receives Olompali as a wedding gift. Chosen Family.” trading villages in Marin making him the only Native They begin development of their land 210 1823—El Camino American on the northern frontier of in the 1870s. Spring flowers still bloom Real traverses Alta California to secure and keep a from bulbs they planted. through Olompali large land grant.

1834—Olompali 1846—”Battle of 1966—The Grateful 1977—The State of California purchases 1579—Sir Francis leadership passed to Olompali”, causing 1856—Camilo, the last Hopyu Dead live at the Rancho Olompali and Drake lands on a Miwok Camilo Ynitia the only casualty of (leader) of the Olompali, Rancho. makes it a State Historic Marin shore he names (native name Hueñix). the June 26 California dies. After his death, his two Park in 1981. Nova Albion 1816—Paintings of Adobe houses were Revolution, the “Bear daughters Maxima and Maria 1911—Burdell’s son, James Black Olompali Miwoks replacing Miwok Flag Revolt.” purchased a part of Rancho Burdell, encases his parents’ home created by Louis kotchas. Sanel in the Sanel Valley with its adobe in an elaborate 6000 BC - Archaeological Choris during Russian of Mendocino County, and mansion. Rancho Olompali evidence of human expedition moved there with their hus- becomes a popular destination for habitation at Olompali bands and helped found the prominent San Franciscans. town of Sanel, later named Hopland. 1969—An electical fire guts the mansion. The walls of the original adobe survive.

People, was formed in 1982. Plans As stated in the General Plan, “The to protect the historic structures purpose of Olompali State Historic Wildflowers of Olompali: L—Chocolate Lily (Fritillaria affinis), were curtailed because of state Park is to preserve and interpret R—Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja affinis). policy not to invest in park projects for the public the prehistoric sites unless there was a Park General and features associated with the Plan. The Olompali People raised Coast Miwok village of Olompali; $75,000 and hired Royston, and to preserve, interpret and Hanamoto, Alley and Abey of Mill restore where feasible, the Valley to do a plan in conformance remaining historic sites associated with state requirements. The with Olompali’s Mexican and Plan was completed in 1987 and American periods.” “The major accepted by the State Parks and objective is to create an interesting Recreation Commission July 1988 place that tells the story, attracts with the required environmental people, preserves significant historic review. resources, and is compatible with

the surrounding environment.” credits: David Hofmann, Philippe Vieux-Jeanton Photo 3 This Walk Into (Conservation) History has been made possible by these sponsors of Marin Conservation League’s “75th Anniversary Celebration”

MOUNTAIN LION $2500 or more LUPINE $100—$249 Friends of Susan Adams Bunker & Company Janet Allen Juliette Anthony Ken Drexler & Sarah Leach Bartlett Tree Experts Amy Belser COOPER’S HAWK $1000 — $2499 Betsy & Dan Bikle Derek & Tymber Cavasian Marin County Board of Supervisors Phyllis Faber, in memory of Peter Behr Marin County Parks Bruce Fullerton & Antonina Markoff Redwood Landfill, Inc. Barbara George Jana Haehl League of Women Voters of Marin ELK $500 — $999 Joan Lubamersky Angel Island Association Sue MacMillan, in memory of Alex MacMillan Bank of Marin Marjorie Macris Marin Fence Co. Nona Dennis Barbara & Bernie Meyers Cordy Hill, in memory of Robert Royston Ellen & Peter Obstler Jack Krystal Ira Chin & Michelle Passero Edith Piltch Marin Sanitary Service Seagate Properties, Inc. Nardell Chitsaz & Associates Jean Starkweather Susan & Brian Stompe BAY LAUREL $250 — $499 Judge Faye D’Opal & Wanden P. Treanor Julia Violich Bruce Dodge & Wendy Wyse Doug Wilson & Periann Wood Barbara Ford Jan Hamrin & Tim Rosenfeld Paul Helliker Kathy & Rick Lowrey McPhail Fuel Co. Dudley & Sarah Allen Miller Dorothy & Roger Roberts Grace & Larry Smith

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