List of Ohlone villages
Encyclopedia
Ohlone
The Ohlone people, also known as the Costanoan, are a Native American people of the central California coast. When Spanish explorers and missionaries arrived in the late 18th century, the Ohlone inhabited the area along the coast from San Francisco Bay through Monterey Bay to the lower Salinas Valley...
(also known as Costanoan) Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
people have been identified as existing in Northern California
Northern California
Northern California is the northern portion of the U.S. state of California. The San Francisco Bay Area , and Sacramento as well as its metropolitan area are the main population centers...
circa 1769 in the regions of the San Francisco Peninsula
San Francisco Peninsula
The San Francisco Peninsula is a peninsula in the San Francisco Bay Area that separates the San Francisco Bay from the Pacific Ocean. On its northern tip is the City and County of San Francisco. Its southern base is in Santa Clara County, including the cities of Palo Alto, Los Altos, and Mountain...
, Santa Clara Valley
Santa Clara Valley
The Santa Clara Valley is a valley just south of the San Francisco Bay in Northern California in the United States. Much of Santa Clara County and its county seat, San José, are in the Santa Clara Valley. The valley was originally known as the Valley of Heart’s Delight for its high concentration...
, East Bay, Santa Cruz Mountains
Santa Cruz Mountains
The Santa Cruz Mountains, part of the Pacific Coast Ranges, are a mountain range in central California, United States. They form a ridge along the San Francisco Peninsula, south of San Francisco, separating the Pacific Ocean from San Francisco Bay and the Santa Clara Valley, and continuing south,...
, Monterey Bay
Monterey Bay
Monterey Bay is a bay of the Pacific Ocean, along the central coast of California. The bay is south of San Francisco and San Jose, between the cities of Santa Cruz and Monterey....
and Salinas Valley
Salinas Valley
The Salinas Valley lies south of San Francisco, California.The word "salina" is spanish for salt marsh, salt lake or salt pan.-Geography:The Salinas Valley runs approximately south-east from Salinas towards King City. The valley lends its name to the geologic province in which it's located, the...
. The known tribe names and village locations of people who spoke the Costanoan languages are listed by regions, as can be identified:
San Francisco PeninsulaSan Francisco PeninsulaThe San Francisco Peninsula is a peninsula in the San Francisco Bay Area that separates the San Francisco Bay from the Pacific Ocean. On its northern tip is the City and County of San Francisco. Its southern base is in Santa Clara County, including the cities of Palo Alto, Los Altos, and Mountain...
Languages spoken: RamaytushRamaytush
The Ramaytush are one of the linguistic subdivisions of the Ohlone Native Americans of Northern California. Historically, the Ramaytush inhabited the San Francisco Peninsula between San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean in the area which is now San Francisco and San Mateo Counties.The Ramaytush...
, Tamyen
Tamyen
The Tamyen are one of eight linguistic divisions of the Ohlone people groups of Native Americans who lived in Northern California. The Tamyen lived throughout the Santa Clara Valley...
on southern border
Tribes and Villages:
- Ahwaste - the San Francisco Peninsula
- Chiguan - Pacific Coast of San Francisco Peninsula vicinity of Half Moon Bay http://www.missiondoloresmural.com/index.swf
- Cotegen - Pacific Coast south of Half Moon Bay
- LamchinLamchinThe Lamchin were one of many tribes of the Ohlone people, Native Americans who lived along the San Francisco Peninsula. The Lamchin were the native inhabitants of what is now San Carlos, California. Information is sparse and dispersed, coming mostly from Spanish mission records - as the natives...
- present-day San Mateo County, Bay shore from Belmont south to Redwood City and valleys to the west - Oljon - Pacific Coast on lower San Gregorio Creek and Pescadero Creek
- Quiroste - Pacific Coast from Bean Hollow Creek to Ano Nuevo Creek
- name unknown - At Tunitas Creek http://montereybay.noaa.gov/visitor/access/tunitas.html
- Romonan - the San Francisco Peninsula
- Ssalson (tribe) - along San Mateo Creek, in San Andreas Valley. Had 3 villages:
- Aleitac (village) - along San Mateo Creek in San Andreas Valley
- Altahmo (village) - (also spelled Altagmu) - along San Mateo Creek in San Andreas Valley
- Uturbe (village) - along San Mateo Creek in San Andreas Valley
- PruristacSan Pedro y San Pablo AsistenciaThe San Pedro y San Pablo Asistencia was established in 1786, as a "sub-mission" to Mission San Francisco de Asís in the San Pedro Valley at the Ohlone village of Pruristac...
- One mile from the Pacific Coast in San Pedro Valley, near San Pedro Creek, present day Pacifica - Timigtac - half mile from Pacific Coast, on bank of Calera Creek, present-day Pacifica
- Tulomo - the San Francisco Peninsula http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10369a.htm
- Urebure (also spelled Buriburi)http://www.accessgenealogy.com/native/california/costanoanindianhist.htm- San Bruno Creek south of San Bruno Mountain
- YelamuYelamuThe Yelamu were a Native American tribe of Ohlone people from the San Francisco Bay Area in Northern California.-History:The Yelamu lived on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula in the region comprising the City and County of San Francisco before the arrival of Spanish missionaries in 1769...
(tribe) - northern San Francisco Peninsula- Amuctac (village) - near Visitation Valley in San Francisco
- Chutchui (village) - near the present day site of Mission Dolores in San Francisco.
- Petlenuc (village) - near the Presidio in San Francisco
- Sitlintac (village) - near Mission Creek in San Francisco
- Tubsinta (village) - near Visitation Valley in San Francisco
- Puichon - near present-day Menlo Park, Palo Alto and Mountain View
- Tuchayune - Fishing village on Angel Island http://www.sfgenealogy.com/sf/history/hbybi.htm
Santa Clara ValleySanta Clara ValleyThe Santa Clara Valley is a valley just south of the San Francisco Bay in Northern California in the United States. Much of Santa Clara County and its county seat, San José, are in the Santa Clara Valley. The valley was originally known as the Valley of Heart’s Delight for its high concentration...
Languages spoken: TamyenTamyen
The Tamyen are one of eight linguistic divisions of the Ohlone people groups of Native Americans who lived in Northern California. The Tamyen lived throughout the Santa Clara Valley...
, Chochenyo
Chochenyo
The Chochenyo are one of the divisions of the indigenous Ohlone people of Northern California...
on eastern fringes
Tamyen language region (also spelled Tamien, Thamien) - tentatively Santa Clara Valley along Guadalupe River and west through Cupertino.
Tribes and Villages:
- Alson - low marshlands at southern end of San Francisco Bay, present-Day Newark, Milpitas and Alviso
- Aulintac (also spelled Auxentac) - along Coyote Creek
- Asirin - Coast Ranges east of Santa Clara Valley
- Aulintac (also spelled Auxentac) - along Coyote Creek
- Churistac - cover term for cluster of villages in the mountains east of Morgan Hill
- Matalan - Santa Clara Valley from Coyote to Morgan Hill
- Pala (also known as Palenos) - mountains of Hall's Valley between Santa Clara Valley and Mount Hamilton
- Ritocsi - Santa Clara Valley at Upper Guadalupe River and central Coyote Creek
- San Bernardino Group - Santa Clara Valley unknown location. See Partacsi.
- Lamaytu (tribe) - Santa Clara Valley
- Muyson (tribe) - Santa Clara Valley
- Pornen (tribe) - Santa Clara Valley
- Solchequis (tribe) - Santa Clara Valley
- So-co-is-u-ka (village) - The original site of the Mission Santa Clara (Mission Santa Clara de Thamien) on the Guadalupe River, 1777.
- "Santa Ysabel" - eastern Santa Clara Valley and Upper Calaveras Creek
- Somontac (also called Santa Clara) - tentatively Los Gatos region of Santa Clara Valley, and/or a village of the Matalan
- Thamien (village or locality) - The original site of the Mission Santa Clara (Mission Santa Clara de Thamien) on the Guadalupe River, 1777.
- Tayssen - large area of eastern Coast Ranges east and southeast of Santa Clara Valley
- In vicinity:
- Junas - probably in Hospital CreekHospital CreekHospital Creek, originally Arroyo del Osnital, Hospital Creek is a tributary of the San Joaquin River draining eastern slopes of part of the Diablo Range within San Joaquin County, in the Central Valley of California, USA...
drainage or San Antonio Valley of Diablo Range - Werwersen - vicinity of Mt. Hamilton, Diablo Range http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/06.14.01/underbelly-0124.html
- Junas - probably in Hospital Creek
- *See also: Chitactac, Partacsi, possibly in this valley.
East Bay AreaEast Bay (San Francisco Bay Area)The East Bay is a commonly used, informal term for the lands on the eastern side of the San Francisco Bay, in the San Francisco Bay Area, in California, United States...
Languages spoken: ChochenyoChochenyo
The Chochenyo are one of the divisions of the indigenous Ohlone people of Northern California...
, Karkin in the north
Tribes and Villages:
- Causen - (aka Patlans) - Sunol Valley
- HuchianEmeryville ShellmoundThe Emeryville Shellmound, in Emeryville, California, is a once-massive archaeological shell midden deposit...
- large area of East Bay shore, from Temescal Creek to present-day Richmond - Huchiun-Aguasto - East Bay on Southeast shores of San Pablo Bay
- Karkin - (aka Los Carquines in Spanish) - on both sides of Carquinez Strait, present-day Port Costa, Martinez and Benicia
- Luecha - Southeast of Livermore
- Pelnen - western part of Livermore Valley, from Pleasanton to Dublin
- Seunen - Northwest side of Livermore Valley
- Souyen - Marshland of Livermore Valley and up Tassajara Creek into southern foothills of Mount Diablo
- Ssaoam - around Brushy Peak and Altamont Pass, between Livermore Valley and San Joaquin Valley
- Yulian (either a subgroup or alias name of Ssaoams)
- Taunan - mountainous parts of Alameda Creek and Arroyo del Valle south to Alameda-Contra Costa County line
- Tuibun - mouth of Alameda Creek and Coyote Hills area, eastern shore of San Francisco Bay
Santa Cruz MountainsSanta Cruz MountainsThe Santa Cruz Mountains, part of the Pacific Coast Ranges, are a mountain range in central California, United States. They form a ridge along the San Francisco Peninsula, south of San Francisco, separating the Pacific Ocean from San Francisco Bay and the Santa Clara Valley, and continuing south,...
Languages spoken: AwaswasAwaswas
The Awaswas people are one of eight divisions of the Ohlone Native Americans of Northern California...
, Tamyen
Tamyen
The Tamyen are one of eight linguistic divisions of the Ohlone people groups of Native Americans who lived in Northern California. The Tamyen lived throughout the Santa Clara Valley...
on eastern border
Tribes and Villages:
- Achista (tentatively included Acsaggis) - Santa Cruz MountainsSanta Cruz MountainsThe Santa Cruz Mountains, part of the Pacific Coast Ranges, are a mountain range in central California, United States. They form a ridge along the San Francisco Peninsula, south of San Francisco, separating the Pacific Ocean from San Francisco Bay and the Santa Clara Valley, and continuing south,...
, present-day Boulder CreekBoulder Creek (California)Boulder Creek is a small river in Santa Cruz County, California, United States, in the southern San Francisco Bay Area. The creek is the namesake of Boulder Creek, California, a small mountain community....
, and Riverside Grove - Chatu-mu, current location of city of Santa CruzSanta Cruz, CaliforniaSanta Cruz is the county seat and largest city of Santa Cruz County, California in the US. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, Santa Cruz had a total population of 59,946...
- Chaloctac - around Loma Prieta Creek on crest of Santa Cruz Mountains
- Chitactac - Santa Cruz Mountains and/or Santa Clara ValleySanta Clara ValleyThe Santa Clara Valley is a valley just south of the San Francisco Bay in Northern California in the United States. Much of Santa Clara County and its county seat, San José, are in the Santa Clara Valley. The valley was originally known as the Valley of Heart’s Delight for its high concentration...
- Cotoni - Pacific Coast at present-day DavenportDavenport, CaliforniaDavenport is a census-designated place in Santa Cruz County, California. Davenport sits at an elevation of . The 2010 United States census reported Davenport's population was 408.-Situation:...
- Olpen (also known as Guemelentos) - interior hills and valleys in Santa Cruz Mountains, La Honda CreekLa Honda CreekLa Honda Creek is a small river in San Mateo County, California and is a tributary of San Gregorio Creek.It flows about , from its source near Bear Gulch Road and Skyline Boulevard , to its confluence with Alpine Creek to form San Gregorio Creek in La Honda.California State Route 84 follows the...
, Corte de Madera Creek - Partacsi (also known as "Paltrastach") - Saratoga Gap mountainous area, upper Pescadero CreekPescadero CreekPescadero Creek is a major stream in Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties in California. At , it is the longest stream in San Mateo County and flows all year from springs in the Santa Cruz Mountains...
, Stevens Creek, and Saratoga CreekSaratoga CreekSaratoga Creek is a north-northeast flowing creek in Santa Clara County, California.-History:Saratoga Creek was originally called Arroyo Quito and then Campbell Creek after immigrant William Campbell, who operated a sawmill in 1848 in "Campbell's Redwoods" about three miles west of Saratoga,...
watersheds. Tentatively the village and center of San Bernardino tribal groups. - Sayanta - Scotts Valley, Glenwood, and Laural areas (part of Mexican grant Arrollo de Sayante)
- Sokel, who lived at present-day Aptos
Monterey Bay Area
Languages spoken: AwaswasAwaswas
The Awaswas people are one of eight divisions of the Ohlone Native Americans of Northern California...
north coast, Rumsen
Rumsen
Rumsen is one of eight language divisions of the Ohlone Native American people of Northern California...
south coast, Mutsun inland
Tribes and Villages:
- Aptos - Shores of Monterey Bay from Aptos east, halfway up Pajaro River
- Cajastaca - north or northeast of Watsonville, near the Pajaro River
- Ichxenta - At San Jose Creek, near Point Lobos State Reserve.
- Kalindaruk (Calendaruc)- Monterey County http://www.accessgenealogy.com/native/mission/sanjuanbau.htm
- Rumsen (village) - Carmel River, roughly 5 miles inland from San Carlos Mission and Pacific Coast
- Uypi - present-day City of Santa Cruz
- Wacharon - near present-day Moss Landing http://www.esselennation.com/OurHomelands.html
Salinas ValleySalinas ValleyThe Salinas Valley lies south of San Francisco, California.The word "salina" is spanish for salt marsh, salt lake or salt pan.-Geography:The Salinas Valley runs approximately south-east from Salinas towards King City. The valley lends its name to the geologic province in which it's located, the...
Languages spoken: RumsenRumsen
Rumsen is one of eight language divisions of the Ohlone Native American people of Northern California...
, Mutsun, Chalon
Chalon
The Chalon are one of eight divisions of the Ohlone people of Native Americans who lived in Northern California. Chalon is also the name of their spoken language, listed as one of the Ohlone languages of the Utian family...
http://www.nps.gov/archive/juba/monterey.htm
Tribes and Villages:
- Ansaime (also spelled Ausaima) - east side of San Felipe sink on Pacheco Creek
- Chipuctac- Canada de Osos area northeast of Gilroy
- Mutsun (village) - at the Mission San Juan Bautista, on San Benito River, west of present-day city of Hollister.
- Pitac - possibly San Martin area or else part of Unijama in the Gilroy area
- Tomoi - in the general area of Pacheco Pass
- Unijaima (also spelled Unijaimas) - Gilroy and Carnadero areas
- Wachero-n - at site of Mission Soledad on Salinas River
Further reading
- Beeler, Madison S. Northern Costanoan, International Journal of American Linguistics, 1961. 27: 191-197.
- Brown, Alan K. Indians of San Mateo County, La Peninsula:Journal of the San Mateo County Historical Association, Vol. XVII No. 4, Winter 1973-1974.
- Brown, Alan K. Place Names of San Mateo County, published San Mateo County Historical Association, 1975.
- Teixeira, Lauren. The Costanoan/Ohlone Indians of the San Francisco and Monterey Bay Area, A Research Guide. Menlo Park, CA: Ballena Press Publication, 1997. ISBN 0-87919-141-4.