Sebastian Indian Reservation
Encyclopedia
The Sebastian Indian Reservation was established on lands of in 1853 by Edward F. Beale in the far southeastern corner of the San Joaquin Valley
in the Tejon Canyon. The reservation was within the Rancho El Tejon
Mexican land grant, but Beale hoped if the land claims were upheld the land could be purchased by the federal government. The San Sebastian Reservation was named for William K. Sebastian, United States Senator from Arkansas
, who supported Beale's plans to form a series of reservations, garrisoned by a military post, on government owned land. The Indians were to support themselves by farming.
The reservation became operational in September 1853, and many Indians moved in voluntarily. Among the tribes the reservation held, were three hundred Emigdiano Chumash, who were the original natives of Tejon Canyon. In 1854, Lieutenant Beale reported that twenty-five hundred Indians were living on the Sebastian Reservation.
In 1854, Fort Tejon
was built nearby to protect frontier settlements ranching and mining operations in Southern California
, the Tehachapi Mountains
and southern Sierra Nevada Mountains from native attacks and the natives on the reservation from attacks by white settlers. The Stockton - Los Angeles Road
, newly constructed, skirted the western and northern sides of the reservation.
Farm equipment, cattle and sheep were brought to the reservation, and a staff of white employees hired to teach the Indians agriculture and supervise their activities. Hundreds of aces of land were plowed and planted with wheat, barley, and corn. Tejon Creek irrigated gardens, vineyards, and orchards. From the forest in upper Tejon Canyon Indians hauled timber from which they sawed the lumber needed at the reservation. Additionally there was wild game for the taking in the Tehachapi Mountains and the San Joaquin Valley. In that year the Indians gathered an abundant wheat harvest.
In early 1854, with political change in Washington, Beale's detractors charged him with embezzlement of government funds. Settlers in the San Joaquin Valley resented the agricultural competition from the Indians, and claimed that too much land had been set aside for them. He was removed from his office but was exonerated of the charges. Colonel Thomas J. Henley
, was Beale's replacement as Superintendent of Indian Affairs for California. Henly created additional reservations throughout California, and Colonel James R. Vineyard became resident agent at the Sebastian Reservation.
In 1855, some Indians fled the reservation and Vineyard the new Indian agent requested the assistance of the soldiers at Fort Tejon in returning them. The commander of the Fort refused, stating their role was to protect the Indians and punish any that committed hostile acts not return Indians that voluntarily resided on the reservation.
In 1856, rainfall was sparse but the harvest was enough for the seven hundred inhabitants that now remained. A flour mill, granary, storehouse, and dwellingd for the resident agent and for the chiefs were built. A physician was also provided.
In 1857, drought continued resulting crop failure except were irrigation saved them and grapevines and fruit trees began to yield a harvest. The Indians were also encouraged to collect wild food during the winter. Despite that setback new buildings were constructed and there were new arrivals increased the population to over one thousand. A post office was established at the reservation but it was moved in 1859, to Sinks of the Tejon one of the stations of the Butterfield Overland Mail
began in September 1858.
By 1858 nearly all of the inhabitants were living in houses. Several families were raising livestock, and the women had learned to make clothing. Finally the winter of 1861 - 1862 was very wet causing flooding throughout the state
but it broke the drought, the Reservations Indians planted larger fields of grain and there was a productive harvest during 1862. Additional Indians were encouraged to settle at the Sebastian Reservation, beyond the thirteen hundred that already lived there.
In the summer of 1863, over 900 Owens Valley Paiute were marched through the desert to the Reservation following their capitulation in the Owens Valley Indian War
. Edward F. Beale had just purchased the Rancho El Tejon. The deed from the government required the Tejon Indians be allowed to continue to reside on the property. However Beale did not want to rent or sell the land to the United States to continue the Reservation. He had plans for developing the ranch and demanded immediate removal of the Owens Valley Indians from the Rancho. Therefore the Owens Valley Indians were moved to a site close to Fort Tejon. However conditions for them were deplorable, many died, and the Indians were very discontented. In 1864, nearly six hundred Owens Valley Indians were granted permission to go to the reservation
on the Tule River
, when Fort Tejon was abandoned
San Joaquin Valley
The San Joaquin Valley is the area of the Central Valley of California that lies south of the Sacramento – San Joaquin River Delta in Stockton...
in the Tejon Canyon. The reservation was within the Rancho El Tejon
Rancho El Tejon
Rancho El Tejon was a Mexican land grant in the Tehachapi Mountains, in present day Kern County, California given in 1843 by Governor Manuel Micheltorena to José Antonio Aguirre and Ygnacio del Valle...
Mexican land grant, but Beale hoped if the land claims were upheld the land could be purchased by the federal government. The San Sebastian Reservation was named for William K. Sebastian, United States Senator from Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
, who supported Beale's plans to form a series of reservations, garrisoned by a military post, on government owned land. The Indians were to support themselves by farming.
The reservation became operational in September 1853, and many Indians moved in voluntarily. Among the tribes the reservation held, were three hundred Emigdiano Chumash, who were the original natives of Tejon Canyon. In 1854, Lieutenant Beale reported that twenty-five hundred Indians were living on the Sebastian Reservation.
In 1854, Fort Tejon
Fort Tejon
Fort Tejon in California is a former United States Army outpost which was intermittently active from June 24, 1854, until September 11, 1864. It is located in the Grapevine Canyon area of Tejon Pass along Interstate 5, the main route through the mountains separating the Central Valley from Los...
was built nearby to protect frontier settlements ranching and mining operations in Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
, the Tehachapi Mountains
Tehachapi Mountains
The Tehachapi Mountains , regionally also called The Tehachapis, are a mountain range in the Transverse Ranges system of California in the Western United States...
and southern Sierra Nevada Mountains from native attacks and the natives on the reservation from attacks by white settlers. The Stockton - Los Angeles Road
Stockton - Los Angeles Road
Stockton-Los Angeles Road, also known as the Millerton Road, Stockton-Mariposa Road, Stockton-Fort Miller Road or the Stockton-Visalia Road was established about 1853 following the discovery of gold on the Kern River in Old Tulare County...
, newly constructed, skirted the western and northern sides of the reservation.
Farm equipment, cattle and sheep were brought to the reservation, and a staff of white employees hired to teach the Indians agriculture and supervise their activities. Hundreds of aces of land were plowed and planted with wheat, barley, and corn. Tejon Creek irrigated gardens, vineyards, and orchards. From the forest in upper Tejon Canyon Indians hauled timber from which they sawed the lumber needed at the reservation. Additionally there was wild game for the taking in the Tehachapi Mountains and the San Joaquin Valley. In that year the Indians gathered an abundant wheat harvest.
In early 1854, with political change in Washington, Beale's detractors charged him with embezzlement of government funds. Settlers in the San Joaquin Valley resented the agricultural competition from the Indians, and claimed that too much land had been set aside for them. He was removed from his office but was exonerated of the charges. Colonel Thomas J. Henley
Thomas J. Henley
Thomas Jefferson Henley was a U.S. Representative from Indiana, father of Barclay Henley.Born in Richmond, Indiana, Henley attended Indiana University at Bloomington.He studied law....
, was Beale's replacement as Superintendent of Indian Affairs for California. Henly created additional reservations throughout California, and Colonel James R. Vineyard became resident agent at the Sebastian Reservation.
In 1855, some Indians fled the reservation and Vineyard the new Indian agent requested the assistance of the soldiers at Fort Tejon in returning them. The commander of the Fort refused, stating their role was to protect the Indians and punish any that committed hostile acts not return Indians that voluntarily resided on the reservation.
In 1856, rainfall was sparse but the harvest was enough for the seven hundred inhabitants that now remained. A flour mill, granary, storehouse, and dwellingd for the resident agent and for the chiefs were built. A physician was also provided.
In 1857, drought continued resulting crop failure except were irrigation saved them and grapevines and fruit trees began to yield a harvest. The Indians were also encouraged to collect wild food during the winter. Despite that setback new buildings were constructed and there were new arrivals increased the population to over one thousand. A post office was established at the reservation but it was moved in 1859, to Sinks of the Tejon one of the stations of the Butterfield Overland Mail
Butterfield Overland Mail
The Butterfield Overland Mail Trail was a stagecoach route in the United States, operating from 1857 to 1861. It was a conduit for the U.S. mail from two eastern termini, Memphis, Tennessee and St. Louis, Missouri, meeting Fort Smith, Arkansas, and continuing through Indian Territory, New Mexico,...
began in September 1858.
By 1858 nearly all of the inhabitants were living in houses. Several families were raising livestock, and the women had learned to make clothing. Finally the winter of 1861 - 1862 was very wet causing flooding throughout the state
Great Flood of 1862
The Great Flood of 1862 or Noachian Deluge was the largest flood in the recorded history of Oregon, Nevada and California, occurring from December 1861 to January 1862. It was preceded by weeks of continuous rains that began in Oregon in November 1861 and continued into January 1862...
but it broke the drought, the Reservations Indians planted larger fields of grain and there was a productive harvest during 1862. Additional Indians were encouraged to settle at the Sebastian Reservation, beyond the thirteen hundred that already lived there.
In the summer of 1863, over 900 Owens Valley Paiute were marched through the desert to the Reservation following their capitulation in the Owens Valley Indian War
Owens Valley Indian War
The Owens Valley War was fought between 1862 and 1863, by California Volunteers and local settlers against the Owens Valley Paiutes, and their Shoshone and Kawaiisu allies, in the Owens Valley of California and the southwestern Nevada border region. The removal of a large number of the Owens River...
. Edward F. Beale had just purchased the Rancho El Tejon. The deed from the government required the Tejon Indians be allowed to continue to reside on the property. However Beale did not want to rent or sell the land to the United States to continue the Reservation. He had plans for developing the ranch and demanded immediate removal of the Owens Valley Indians from the Rancho. Therefore the Owens Valley Indians were moved to a site close to Fort Tejon. However conditions for them were deplorable, many died, and the Indians were very discontented. In 1864, nearly six hundred Owens Valley Indians were granted permission to go to the reservation
Tule River Indian Tribe of the Tule River Reservation
The Tule River Indian Tribe of the Tule River Reservation is a federally recognized tribe of Native Americans. The Tule River Reservation is the name of the tribe's reservation, which is located in Tulare County, California...
on the Tule River
Tule River
The Tule River, also called Rio de San Pedro or Rio San Pedro, is a river in Tulare County in the U.S. state of California. The river originates in the Sierra Nevada east of Porterville and consists of three forks, North, Middle and South. The North Fork and Middle Fork meet above Springville. The...
, when Fort Tejon was abandoned