Landmark #210 | Sonoma County | Visited: February 19, 2012 | Plaque? NO. 🙁 |
What is it? | The enclosed adobe remains of the oldest house north of San Francisco Bay! |
What makes it historical? | THE GUIDE SAYS: This house was built in 1776 by the father of Camillo Ynitia or Unitia, the last chief of the Olompali Indians. The Indians were taught to make adobe bricks by Lieutenant Bodega and his party while they were surveying and charting the harbor of San Francisco Bay. The old adobe house is inside the house now on the site. (Burned in 1976.)
OTHER TIDBITS: Olompali was the name of the village where Camillo’s tribe of Coast Miwok lived! Olompali means “southern village!” It was populated for about six hundred years until it was abandoned in 1856. Camillo (Huemon) was the last hoipu or leader to live here! He married four times and lost three wives and a son! Despite his personal tragedies, Camillo thrived as a rancher and traded with both the Mexicans and the Russians of Fort Ross. He was the only Native American rancher in Northern California to hold Mexican and US land grants! During the Bear Flag Revolt of 1846, the Battle of Olompali was fought here between American forces from Sonoma and Mexican forces from Monterey! This landmark is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places! |
How can I Help the Helpers? | HERE’S HOW:
|
Where is this place? | LISTED DIRECTIONS: Olompali State Historic Park 8901 Redwood Hwy State Hwy 101 (P.M. 24.8) 3.5 mi N of Novato, CA 94945 ANNOTATIONS: From Los Angeles: ~406mi (654km) — 6.8hrs |
When should I go? | The park is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM! |