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Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park

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Coordinates: 38°25′27″N 120°38′36″W / 38.42417°N 120.64333°W / 38.42417; -120.64333
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Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park
Rock outcrop with mortar holes
Map showing the location of Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park
Map showing the location of Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park
Map showing the location of Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park
Map showing the location of Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park
LocationAmador County, California
Nearest cityPine Grove, California
Coordinates38°25′27″N 120°38′36″W / 38.42417°N 120.64333°W / 38.42417; -120.64333
Area135 acres (55 ha)
Established1962
Governing bodyCalifornia Department of Parks and Recreation
Indian Grinding Rock
Area264 acres (106.8 ha)
NRHP reference No.71000133[1]
Added to NRHPMay 06, 1971

Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park is a California State Park, preserving an outcropping of marbleized limestone with some 1,185 mortar holes—the largest collection of bedrock mortars in North America. It is located in the Sierra Nevada foothills, 8 miles (13 km) east of Jackson. The park is nestled in a little valley 2,400 feet (732 m) above sea level, with open meadows and large specimens of valley oak that once provided the Miwok peoples of this area with an ample supply of acorns.[2] The 135-acre (55 ha) park was established in 1962[3] and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.

The native name for the site is "Chaw’se", the Miwok word for "grinding rock". Upon this rock they ground acorns and other seeds into meal, slowly forming the cup-shaped depressions in the stone, which can still be seen today. Along with the mortar holes, the main grinding rock within the park features a number of petroglyphs: circles, spoked wheels, animal and human tracks, wavy lines, etc. Some of these carvings are thought to be as much as two or three thousand years old and are now becoming difficult to discern. This association of rock art and bedrock mortar pits is unique in California. Except for one other small site, Chaw'se has the only known occurrence of mortars intentionally decorated with petroglyphs.[4]

Chaw'se Regional Indian Museum

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This museum within the park grounds features a variety of exhibits and a vast collection of Sierra Nevada Indian artifacts. A Miwok village complete with a ceremonial roundhouse has been reconstructed in the middle of the small valley and is registered as California Historical Landmark #1001.[5] The museum has been designed to reflect the architecture of the traditional roundhouse. Exhibited in this two-story museum are examples of the technology and crafts of the Miwok and other Sierra Nevada Native American groups. As a regional Indian museum, the collection at Chaw'se includes exhibits on various tribal groups, including: the Northern, Central and Southern Miwok, Maidu, Konkow, Monache, Nisenan, Tubatulabal, Washoe, and Foothill Yokuts.[2]

Wildlife

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Bird life varies depending on the season, but many species are seen year-round, including turkey vultures, California scrub and Steller's jays, California quail, acorn and hairy woodpeckers, northern flickers, hermit thrushes, wild turkeys (non-native), and California thrashers. In summer the bright colors of the western tanager, northern oriole, calliope and Anna's hummingbirds can be seen in the woods around the meadow.[2]

The abundant animal life in and around the park includes deer, fox, gray and California ground squirrels, black-tailed jackrabbits, bobcats, bats, and occasionally a mountain lion or black bear. Coyote calls can be heard on quiet summer nights.[2]

  • Visitor center overview of park
    Visitor center overview of park
  • Chaw-Se building
    Chaw-Se building
  • close up of grinding holes
    close up of grinding holes
  • Roundhouse interior
    Roundhouse interior
  • Sculpture at park
    Sculpture at park

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. ^ a b c d "Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park". California State Parks. Archived from the original on July 1, 2012. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
  3. ^ "California State Park System Statistical Report: Fiscal Year 2009/10" (PDF). California State Parks: 18. Retrieved July 3, 2012. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  4. ^ Fullwood, Janet (May 3, 1998). "Miwoks' less-than-golden fate recalled at park". Sacramento Bee. Sacramento, Calif. Archived from the original on February 13, 2005. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
  5. ^ "California Historical Landmarks: Amador County". Office of Historical Preservation, California State Parks. Retrieved October 6, 2012.
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