Hundreds gathered Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at the Sanchez Adobe historic site in Pacifica to celebrate the first inhabitants of the Peninsula -- the Ohlone.
The festive event included cutting a ribbon to mark the completion of a new interpretive center that will tell the complicated history of San Mateo County from the time of the Ohlone to contact with Spanish explorers to when California was ruled by Mexico.
This first "Ohlone Day" celebration was highlighted by special salutes to the first people who lived at the site, the Aramai of the Ramaytush Ohlone village of Pruristac. Scan through the photos to learn more.
The Sanchez Adobe, which dates to the 1840s, is a San Mateo County Park operated by the San Mateo County Historical Association. The new interpretive center, along with upgrades to the park site, are paid for with local funds from Measure K, a half-cent, voter-approved sales tax extension.
Linda Yamane discusses how she created a traditional Ohlone basket from native plants.
Carole Groom, President of the Board of Supervisors, thanks the many people who worked to bring the interpretive center to the Sanchez Adobe site.
Dr. Jonathan Cordero, a descendant of the Raymaytush Ohlone, discusses the impact of the Spanish mission system on the Native Americans.
Section of Pruristac Village, by Amy Hosa and Linda Yamane
Isaac Bojorquez carves clapper sticks that were an important part of the lives of Ohlone people.
Crowds poured into the new interpretive center to hear speakers such as Mark Hylkema, an archaeologist with California State Parks, discuss how the Ohlone lived before contact with the Spanish.
Supervisor Don Horsley talks about the historical significance of the area with Mitch Postel, president of the San Mateo County Historical Assn., to his left.
From left: Peggy Jensen, County Parks acting director; Carole Groom, President of the Board of Supervisors; U.S. Rep. Jackie Speier; and Supervisor Don Horsley, who represents the coast on the Board of Supervisors, cut the ribbon on the new interpretive center.
Ohlone-Portolá Heritage Trail
Fall 2019 marks the 250th anniversary of one of the most important events in the history of the West Coast: the first European sighting of San Francisco Bay.
The Ohlone-Portolá Heritage Trail Project in San Mateo County seeks to honor the region's first inhabitants -- the Ohlone -- and commemorate the Spanish Portolá expedition that first explored the region and sighted San Francisco Bay.
The goal is to create an interprevive, multi-use recreational and automobile route that takes us back in time to understand and appreciate native history and culture and follow in the footsteps of the region's first European explorers. Learn more.