Tulamniu Indian Site!

Tulamniu Indian Site
Landmark #374 Kern County Visited: January 26, 2013 Plaque?  YES! 🙂
What is it? A plaque hidden off somewhere on private property!
What makes it historical? THE GUIDE SAYS:  The old Yokuts village of Tulamniu was named Buena Vista by Spanish Commander Fages in 1772. Fr. Zalvidea again recorded the site in 1806. This village was occupied for several centuries, and in 1933-34 its site was excavated by the Smithsonian Institution.

OTHER TIDBITS: The name Tulamniu means “place of the tule dwellers,” and since tule is a type of reed, it gives a good sense that this area was once mush lusher. This was a treasure trove of archaeology! 4,000 artifacts and hundreds of buried bodies were discovered at this site!

How can I Help the Helpers? HERE’S HOW:

  • Become a member of the Kern County Historical Society!
  • Donate to the Native Daughters of the Golden West!
  • Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!
Where is this place? LISTED DIRECTIONS:
300 ft SE of Block House #BV4
1.1 mi N of Buena Vista pumping station
8 mi E of Taft, CA 93268

ANNOTATIONS:
The plaque is just over a mile due north of the end of Lake Station Road! How you get there is up to you, whether you risk jumping the fence on private property or getting stuck on the dirt paths along the aqueduct!

From Los Angeles: ~115mi (186km) — 2hrs
From Sacramento: ~287mi (462km) — 4.8hrs
From San Diego: ~241mi (388km) — 4.1hrs
From San Francisco: ~283mi (456km) — 4.8hrs

When should I go? Technically, you could go whenever you want, but beware workers and rainstorms!

Click here to see more California historical landmarks!

2 thoughts on “Tulamniu Indian Site!”

  1. Hello, I have question regarding the customs of Old Yokuts Tulamiu Indian site; did the tribe carve small wolf sculptures? The second question, did the tribe use or have iron spontoon tomahawks? These questions are more to what was found during the archeological done at this site. Thank you very much for your help which is greatly appreciated. Regards, James Moser

    1. Hi James! Thanks for your questions! As far as I’m aware, spontoon tomahawks were limited to the Algonquin tribes of the Northeast. I think the best answers will come from the Yokut tribe themselves. Send them an email through their website: https://www.tachi-yokut-nsn.gov!

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