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| Landmark #427 | Lake County | Visited: July 13, 2014 | Plaque? YES! 🙂 |
| What is it? | A plaque commemorating the massacre of an entire Pomo village on a sacred island! |
| What makes it historical? | THE GUIDE SAYS: One-fourth mile west is Bloody Island, now a hill surrounded by reclaimed land, where, in 1850, U.S. soldiers nearly annihilated the Indian inhabitants for the murder of two white men. Doubt exists of these Indians’ guilt. In 1851 a treaty was negotiated between whites and Indians.
OTHER TIDBITS: The massacre at Bloody Island took place in retaliation for the killing of Andrew Kelsey and Charles Stone, and calling it a “Battle” isn’t really accurate! A group of US Army soldiers and local volunteers, led by Captain Nathaniel Lyon, converged on the island (now a hill) where 400 Pomo had sought refuge, and opened fire with guns and cannons! They murdered 60 Pomo on the island and 75 more at the nearby Russian River! This was in the time before tribal rights existed in California, so there was no such thing as a trial for Native Americans; the government or vigilantes just killed them! The true name of the Island is Bo-no-po-ti, or Old Island. |
| How can I Help the Helpers? | HERE’S HOW:
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| Where is this place? | LISTED DIRECTIONS: Intersection of State Hwy 20 and Reclamation Rd 1.7 mi SE of Upper Lake, CA 95485 ANNOTATIONS: From Los Angeles: ~500mi (805km) — 8.4hrs |
| When should I go? | Whenever the mood strikes you! |