California Studies
Feb 26 2024 - Chalone and Mutson Tribes of Pinnacles National Park - Home

For thousands of years, the Chalon and the Mutsun tribes inhabited the Pinnacles area, leaving a rich history and culture behind. They relied on the land's resources to obtain food and materials for their daily lives.

Mutson Mythology
The Mutson people had a deep spiritual connection to the majestic condors that flew above the Pinnacles. They believed that these birds were messengers that transported the souls of the deceased to another realm. The tribe held special ceremonies dedicated to the condors to communicate with the spirits of their ancestors.
Diet and Basket Weaving
The tribal people's diet mainly consisted of deer, elk, antelope, and acorns, and they used their hunting expeditions not only for food but also to craft baskets and capes from rabbit skin strips. They also created beautiful works of art by weaving the roots of Carex Barbarae and the stalks of Muhlenbergia Rigens.
Arrival of the Spanish
The establishment of Soledad Mission near the Pinnacles area marked the beginning of the decline of the Indian population. The Spanish also brought diseases that further reduced their numbers.
Schuyler Hain and the Settlers
After the Mexican-American War, homesteaders like Schuyler Hain settled in the area. He and the Bacon family grew up and worked in the area. Hain advocated for the protection of the Pinnacles. He was successful when Theodore Roosevelt declared Pinnacles a national monument in 1908.
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