Patwin speakers were a Wintun people mainly living in Solano and Yolo Counties. Randall Milliken places the Napa tribe among Patwin speakers, and we follow him here.
Martin House Suisun City92 bedrock mortarsElevation 174 ft.The Martin House was constructed in 1861 on the site of a Suisun village.Most of the mortars here are on one rock.This site is on private property. One should secure permission before visiting it.
Newell Ranch One bedrock mortar Elevation 246 ft. This site is very close to the boundary between the Suisun and Napa tribes. We have placed it with the Suisuns due to its proximity to the Lynch Canyon sites. This is an enchanted setting. You’ll find the mortar near a small seep spring. We were directed […]
North Fork Lynch CreekOne bedrock mortarElevation 535 ft.You’ll find this mortar not far from the creek.Lynch Canyon Open Space is now open to the public year-round from 9 AM to 5 PM on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays. Nonetheless, it would be wise to check Lynch Canyon information before planning your trip.We were conducted to this […]
Pena-Vaca Adobe11 bedrock mortars and at least 9 portable mortarsElevation 179 ft.The original adobe dates from 1842.The low wall here partially encloses a burial ground.A diverse set of mortars. Lots of cupules/anvils too.A pretty setting near the Indian Council Grounds.
Rockville Trails Village34 bedrock mortarsElevation 534 ft.The Solano Land Trust saved the Rockville Trails property, which includes this village, from being transformed into a massive housing development. Thank you.There are miles and miles of stacked rock walls in and around Rockville. One of these walls snakes over the hills in the center of this photograph.Heading […]
Rush Ranch on Grizzly Island25 bedrock mortarsA Bay Area Rock Art Research Association (BARARA) group heads for the site. Mt. Diablo looms in the distance.Do not hop over the fence.
Suisun Creek Village Suisun City300 yard kitchen middenElevation 146 ft.Bay Area Rock Art Research Association (BARARA) members fan out looking for artifacts. Every time the farmer plows the field more artifacts turn up.This site is on private property. One should secure permission before visiting it.
Tolenas Springs Village41 bedrock mortars, 10+ cupules, probable mortarsElevation 268 ft.An artesian spring once geysered water ten feet into the air near the source of Soda Springs Creek, but quarrying for travertine and onyx (begun in the 1850s) eventually destroyed that flow. Patwins referred to this area as the land of healing waters. A resort […]
Upper Marie Creek25 bedrock mortarsElevation 1052 ft.Thanks to Jeff for discovering this beautiful village site, which lies just off the Bay Area Ridge Trail about a quarter of a mile beyond the gate that marks the boundary of Skyline Wilderness Park.Bob approaches the site. A utility pole conveniently marks the location of the mortar-bearing outcrop. […]
Butcher Road Milling Station9 bedrock mortarsElevation 250 ft.Thanks to Joel for steering us toward this beautiful rock.A view of the milling station on a rainy day.A closeup of some of the mortars. Note the mortar in a basinPhotographs by Bob Bardell