Land Management Plan - Part 2 Los Padres National Forest Strategy

Land Management Plan Part 2
Los Padres National Forest Strategy
Desired condition:
Habitats remain largely unaltered and as close
to
natural potential as
possible. Recreation
remains at current
levels.
September 2005
Milpitas Cultural Places: Arroyo Seco, and
Ventana
Acres: 9,948
Description of Values:
The Milpitas area is commonly known as 'the Indians,' a name reflecting continuous Native
American occupation from prehistoric through historic times. The special interest area lies
within a spectacular setting of oak savannah and rock outcrops, including massive sandstone
outcrops formed under an ancient sea.
The special interest area contains abundant prehistoric sites, including habitation, food
processing, and rock art sites. Current knowledge of these sites indicates that deer, rabbit, and
acorns were important local dietary items, and shellfish indicate an association with the coast.
Ethnographically, the area is attributed to the Antoniano (a name derived from Mission San
Antonio) Salinan peoples. It lies approximately 17 miles from Mission San Antonio, one of the
earliest California missions. Historic sites within the special interest area include an adobe and
adjacent vineyard. Mission occupants are thought to have used the location of the adobe (the
existing building probably dates to a later period) and possibly the existing vineyard, although
documentation is currently lacking.
After secularization of the missions in the 1830s (with the change from the Spanish to Mexican
period), many mission residents returned to the Milpitas area, forming a historically documented
community that eventually lent the area the name 'the Indians.' The name 'Milpitas' came into use
in the mid-1800s, because of the fields of corn grown by native peoples. (Milpitas is the
diminutive form of Milpa, a place where corn grows.)
The Encinales (descended from the original inhabitants of the Mipitas area) were among the
post-mission inhabitants of the area. Eusebio Encinales is believed to have settled in the area in
the 1870s, subsequently acquiring a 100 acre parcel including the adobe and vineyard from
Faxton Atherton (or his estate), the owner of the extensive Rancho Milpitas grant. The Encinales
continued strong associations with the mission and were mainstays of the resident native
community. Today, the family and community cemetery (lying within the special interest area
near the adobe and vineyard) is visited by descendants and other Salinans.
The Encinales are also known for their contributions to ethnographic knowledge of the Salinan
vocabulary. Early ethnographers C. Hart Merriam and J.R. Harrington completed some
(regrettably limited) records of Salinan words based on their work with native peoples of the
area, particularly the Encinales. Several place-names ethnographically documented for the
Milpitas area suggest the continuing importance of the area to Salinans. Traditional uses
continue to occur, and the special interest area boundaries include Junipero Serra Peak,
considered the
center of the Salinan universe.
Description of Area: Milpitas is located in the upper watershed of the perennial San Antonio
River, a tributary to the Salinas River. The landscape is relatively flat oak savannah surrounded
by steep chaparral slopes. It is dominated by large, stately valley oaks and often massive rock
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