Carneros(sheep).Carnerois especially applied to sheep used for mutton, rather than wool.
Carpintería(carpenter-shop). See pages100and339.
Carquínez.See pages228and339.
Carriso(large water bunch grass or reed-grass). See page42.
Casa Blanca(white house). See page79.
Casa Grande(big house). This place was so-called by the Spanish explorers on account of an unusually large Indian house they saw here. They speak of finding a “large village of many houses, and among them one extremely large.” This place is not to be confused with the famousCasa Grandein Arizona.
El Casco(the skull, or outside shell of anything). See page79. Ascascoalso has the meaning of potsherd, or fragment of a broken vessel, a theory has been deduced that it was so-called because of a resemblance between the hollow in the hills where the place is located and a potsherd. This is one of those extremely far-fetched theories which are not likely to have any basis in fact.
Castac, an Indian word. The Castake was oneof several tribes occupying the country from Buena Vista and Kern Lakes to the Sierra Nevada and Coast Range. Castake Lake in the Tejón Pass region derives its name from this tribe. According to Professor A. L. Kroeber,castacmeans “my eyes.”
Castroville, a composite word made up of Castro, a surname, and the Frenchville(town). The Castro family was perhaps the most numerous in California. Its most prominent member was General José Castro, of whom Bancroft says: “The charges against him of mal-treatment of settlers were unfounded. His conduct was more honorable, dignified, and consistent than that of Fremont, and he treated immigrants with uniform kindness. He was not a very able man, but energetic, popular, true to his friends, and in public office fairly honest. An injustice has been done him in painting him as a cowardly, incompetent braggart. He was at one time Commandante General of California.” The town of Castroville, named for this prominent family, is near Monterey.
Catalina, see page62.
Cayeguaswas named for a former Indian villagenear San Buenaventura. This village was among those mentioned in the mission archives.
The meaning of the wordCayeguasis “my head.”—(A. L. Kroeber.)
Cayucos.See page127.
Cazadero(hunting-place). See page260.
Centinela(sentinel).
El Centro(the center), three miles from Imperial and so-named because it is practically the center of the valley. This name is recent.
Cerro(hill), near Sacramento.
Cerro Chico(little hill).
Cerro Gordo(fat, thick hill). See page329.
Los Cerritos(the little hills), in Los Ángeles County.
Los Cerros(the hills).
Cerro de las Posas(hill of the pools or wells). The translation “hill of the seat” has been given to this by one writer, apparently without any justification.Posa, orposo, was in constant use among the Spaniards in the sense of “pool” or “well.”
Cerro del Venado(hill of the deer).
El Chamisal(thicket of wild cane or reed).
Chico(little). See page282.
Chileno(Chilean, native of Chile). See page260.
Las chimeneas(the chimneys), old volcanic rock shaped like chimneys. This place is in San Luís Obispo County.
Chino, a word which may mean a Chinese, or a person with curly hair. The town of Chino, in San Bernardino County, took its name from the land grant calledSanta Ana del Chino, but why the grant was so-called has not been ascertained.
Chiquita(little).
Chiquito Peak(little peak), is in Fresno County.
Cholamewas the name of an Indian tribe. See page128.
El Chorro(a gushing stream of water). This place is in San Luís Obispo County.
Chowchillawas the name of a Yokuts tribe of the Central Valley. See page283.
Chualar.See page157.
Chula Vista(pretty view). See page42.
Ciénega(swamp), is in Los Ángeles County.
Las Ciénegas(the swamps).
Las Cienegitas(the little swamps).
Ciénega del Gabilán(the swamp of the hawk).
Ciénega de los Paicines, swamp of the Paicines (Indian tribe).
Cima(summit), between San Bernardino and Las Vegas.
Cimarrón(wild, unruly). The Spaniards applied this word to plants or animals indiscriminately, sometimes using it in reference to the wild grapes which they found growing in such profusion in California, sometimes in reference to wild Indians. The writer who translated it as “lost river” must have drawn upon his imagination for that definition.
Cisco.See page329.
Los Coches(the pigs).
Codornices Creek(quail creek).
Cojo(lame). See page106.
Ranchería del Cojo(village of the lame one), so-called from a lame Indian seen there.
Coloma, a town in El Dorado County, so-named from the Koloma tribe, a division of the Nishinam family. It was at this place that Sutter’s Mill, where gold was discovered in 1848, was situated, and it is also there that the native sons erected a monument to John W. Marshall.
Colorado(red).
Colusa, an Indian word, meaning not ascertained. See page265.
Concepción.See page106.
Conejo(rabbit), is the name of several places. See pages79and339.
Conejo Peak(rabbit peak), is in Ventura County.
Contra Costa(opposite coast). See page229.
Cordero(literally “lamb”), but probably a surname here.
Córdova, near Sacramento. Córdova or Córdoba is the name of a province of the Argentine Republic, in South America. Cattle raising is its chief industry. The California town may have been directly named for the city of Córdova in Mexico.
Corona(crown).
Coronado Beach, see page29.
Corral(yard, enclosed piece of ground). See pages157and339.
Los Corralitos(the little yards).
Corral de Piedra(yard enclosed by a stone fence). See page158.
Corral de Tierra(earth corral). See page158.
Cortina, a town in Colusa County.Cortina, the Spanish word for “curtain,” is a corruption ofKotina, the name of the chief of a former village near the east bank of Cortina Creek.
Coso Mountains, in Inyo County, were named for the Coso or Cosho Indians.
La Costa(the coast). See page42.
Cosumne, a word of Indian derivation, said to mean “fish, salmon.” See page272. If the theory that the suffixumnemeans “place of” be correct, then it may be that the meaning of Cosumne is “place of fish,” probably referring to salmon fisheries.
Cotate, in Sonoma County, derived its name from a former Indian village. Mr. George Page, whose family have been in possession of the Cotate ranch since 1849, states that he has never been able to ascertain the meaning of the word.
Coyote(western wolf). See pages42and179.
Los Coyotes(the wolves).
Crucero, a word having several meanings, possibly in this case “cross-roads.”
Las Cruces(the crosses), is in Santa Bárbara County.
Cruz(cross).Santa Cruz(holy cross). See page153.
Cucamonga, in San Bernardino County, derived its name from an Indian village. See page80.
Cueros de Venado(hides of deer), the name of a land grant.
Cuesta(hill, ridge, slope of a hill). Cuesta is the name of the old stage road leading from Santa Margarita to San Luís Obispo. It was so named because the road came over the crest of the Santa Lucía range. See page128.
Cuyamaca.See page42.
Cypress Point.See page145.
Dehesa(pasture ground), is in San Diego County.
Delgada Point(thin, or narrow point). See page260.
De Luz(literally “of light”), but in this case a surname.
Del Mar(of the sea). Modern.
Del Monte(of the wood or hill). The Hotel del Monte, near Monterey, was so called from the grove of magnificent live-oaks in which it stands. Modern.
Del Norte(of the north), is the name of the county in the extreme northwestern corner of the state.
Del Paso(of the pass).
Del Rey(of the king).
Del Río(of the river).
Del Rosa(of the rose). Unless this is a surname,the construction is incorrect, and should beDe la Rosa.
Descanso(rest). See page43.
Diablo(devil). See page217.
Dolores(sorrows, pains). For Mission Dolores See pages194and339.
El Dorado(the gilded man). See page300.
Dos(two).
Dos Cabezas(two heads).
Dos Palmas(two palms).
Dos Palos(two sticks, or trees). See page283.
Dos Pueblos(two towns). See page106.
Dos Valles(two valleys).
Duarte(a surname). See page80.
Dulzura(sweetness). See page43.
Point Duma, on the coast north of San Pedro, was named by Vancouver for “the reverend friar Father Francisco Duma, priest at Buena Ventura,” as an expression of his gratitude for the father’s courtesy in furnishing the explorers with abundant supplies of vegetables from the mission gardens.—(Mr. Charles B. Turrill.)
Eliseo(Elisha).
Embarcadero(landing-place). There were a number ofembarcaderosin the state, in Sonoma,Santa Clara and other places. The street skirting the San Francisco water front is now called theEmbarcadero, having been recently changed from East Street.
Encanto(enchantment, charm), is in San Diego County. Encanto “was so named on account of its especially pleasant climate, being frostless, and always cool in the summer, with beautiful views of the ocean and bay and the city of San Diego. It was named by Miss Alice Klauber.”—(W. A. Shaules.)
Encinal(oak woods), is in Santa Clara County.
Encinal y Buena Esperanza(oak woods and good hope), the combined name of two land grants.
Las Encinitas(the little live-oaks). See page43.
El Encino(the live-oak). See page211.
Ensenada(bay), used often by the Spaniards in referring to a large, wide-open bay.
Entre Napa(between Napa), the name of a land grant referring to the land between Napa Creek and Napa River.
Entre Napa ó Rincón de los Carneros, combined name of two land grants (between Napa or corner of the sheep).
Escalón(step), is the name of a place twentymiles from Stockton, on the Santa Fé Road. According to Mr. Romane Moll, a resident of Escalón, the word is used in the sense of “stepping-stone,” and was taken from a city in Mexico, where an important battle was fought during the recent revolution.
Escondido(hidden). See page43.
El Escorpión(the scorpion).
Esmeralda(emerald). See page330.
Espada(sword). See page102.
Esparto(a sort of tough feather grass). See page283.
Esperanza(hope). See page283.
Espinosa(a surname). This place is in Monterey County.
Espíritu Santo(holy ghost).
Esquón(a surname).
Estero(an estuary or creek into which the tide flows at flood time).
Los Esteros(the estuaries). See page128.
Estero Americano(American Estuary).
Estrada(a surname). This place is in Monterey County.
Estrella(a star). See page128.
Estudillo(a surname). Near San Leandro.
Etiwanda, in San Bernardino County, is a transplanted Indian name, given in honor of an Indian chief of Michigan, by Mr. George Chaffey, founder of the California colony.
Falda(skirt, slope of a hill). In San Diego County.
Famoso(famous), is in Kern County. The origin of this name has not been ascertained.
Fandango Peakis in Modoc County. Thefandangois a Spanish dance. Its application in this case has not been ascertained.
Farallones(small pointed islands in the sea). See pages212and339.
Feather River, see page297.
Felipe(Philip).
Feliz(happy, fortunate), also a surname.
Fernández(a surname).
Fernando(Ferdinand).
Point Firmin, north of San Pedro, was named by Vancouver for the father president of the Franciscan Order.—(Mr. Charles B. Turrill.)
Las Flores(the flowers). See page80.
Fortunas(fortunes). Cape Fortunas is on the coast of Humboldt County, north of Cape Mendocino. See page260.
Fresno(ash tree). See page277.
Gabilán, orGavilán(hawk). See page159.
Las Gallinas(the chickens), in Marin County. A tribe calledGallinomerooccupied Dry Creek and Russian River below Healdsburg, and there may be some connection between this name and Las Gallinas Rancho in Marin County. Las Gallinas may be a mere corruption of Gallinomero.
Gamboa Point, on the coast of Monterey County.Gamboais a surname.
García(a surname). See page260.
Garvanza(chick-pea). See page80.
Los Gatos(the cats). See pages177and339.
Gaviota(sea gull). Probably so called from the large number of these birds which frequent the mouth of the little creek that flows into the sea at this point. See page107.
Germán(a surname of a pioneer family).
Golden Gate.See page197.
La Goleta(the schooner). This place is said to have been so called because a schooner was stranded there in early days. See page107.
Gonzales(a surname). See page159.
Gorda(fat). See page159.
Graciosa(graceful, witty).
Granadais twenty-seven miles from San Francisco, on the Ocean Shore Line, and was probably named for the province in Spain of the same name. Granada also means pomegranate.
Las Grullas(the cranes). See page159.
Guadalupe(a Christian name). See pages107and340.
Guadalupe y Llanitos de los Corréos(Guadalupe and the plains of the mails), combined name of two land grants.Corréos(mails), may have been used in reference to mails brought by messenger to the Spaniards while they were encamped upon these plains.
Gualala.See page260.
Guenoc, an Indian word, meaning not ascertained.
Los Guilicos, in Sonoma County, named for a former Indian tribe living in Napa County, near Santa Rosa.
Guinda(fruit of the wild cherry). This place is in Yolo County, near Woodland.
La Habra(the opening, or pass), here refers to an opening in the hills, and is situated a short distance southeast of Whittier, in Orange County.
Hermosa(beautiful). See page80.
Hermosillo, probably named for the town of Hermosillo in Mexico.
Hernández(a surname), is in San Benito County.
Hetch Hetchy.A deep valley in the Sierra. See page330.
Honcut, a place south of Oroville, in Butte County, named from a tribe of Maidu Indians who formerly lived near the mouth of Honkut creek.
Honda(deep). Honda is in Santa Bárbara County, and there is alsoLa Honda, referring to a deep canyon, in San Matéo County. The name is incomplete in this form, and probably in its original form wasLa Cañada Honda.
Hoopa.See page261.
Hornitos(little ovens). See page283.
Huasna, in San Luís Obispo County, received its name from a former Indian village near Purísima Mission in Santa Bárbara County. The signification of the word has not been ascertained.
Hueneme, the name of a former Chumash Indian village on the coast, a few miles south of Saticoy, in Ventura County.
Los Huecos(the hollows).
Huerhuero Creek.Huerhuero is said to be a corruption ofgüergüero, a stream of water which makes a gurgling noise. An attempt is made to imitate the sound by the word. Huerhuero Creek is in San Luís Obispo County, near Paso de Robles.
Huerta de Romualdo ó el Chorro(orchard of Romualdo, a Christian name, or the gushing stream). This is the combined name of two land grants.
Huichica, the name of a land grant derived from an Indian village calledHutchi, formerly situated near the plaza in the town of Sonoma.
Huililic, the name of a former Indian ranchería near Santa Bárbara. Mentioned in the mission archives.
Hunto(eye), is the Indian name of a mountain in the Yosemite.
Hyampom, in Trinity County, is an Indian name, meaning not ascertained.
Iaquá, the name of a place in Humboldt County, was a sort of familiar salutation, something like our “hello,” with which the Indians of Humboldt and adjacent counties greeted each other when they met. From hearing the word so often thewhites finally adopted it as the name of this place.
Ignacio(Ignatius).
Inaja, orInoje, was the name of a former Indian village near San Diego. Mentioned in the mission archives. The meaning of the wordInajais “my water.”
Indio(Indian). See page80.
Inyo.See page327.
Isleta(small island).
Jacinto(hyacinth), also used as a Christian name.
Jamachawas a former Indian village near San Diego.
Jamón(ham). The application of this peculiar name has not been ascertained, and there is always the possibility that it is a corrupted word and has no such meaning.
Jamul, in San Diego County, is a place name of the Diegueño Indians.
Jarame, the name of a tribe thought to have been natives of the region around San Antonio, Texas.
Jesús María(Jesus Mary).
Jimeno, a surname of a pioneer family.
La Jolla.See pages44and340.
Jolón.See page159.
La Joya(the jewel). This name is comparatively modern, and has its origin in the fact that the residents, like those of every other California town, thought their place the bright particular “jewel” of the locality. La Joya Peak is in Los Ángeles County. See pages80and340.
Juan(John).Juana(Jane).
Juárez(a surname). The name of Benito Juárez, the Mexican patriot who led the national armies to victory against Maximilian, is one of which every native of that country must be proud. This man was a brilliant example of the triumph of natural genius over tremendous obstacles. He was of pure native blood, and had so few advantages in his youth that at the age of twelve he was still unable to read or write, or even to speak the Spanish language. Yet, his ambition once aroused, he succeeded in acquiring a collegiate education, graduating with the degree of Bachiller (bachelor in science or art), and later became President of the Mexican Republic. Among the early settlers of California is the name of Cayetano Juárez, who was at one time an officialat Solano, and who took part in many Indian expeditions.
La Junta(union, junction, meeting of persons for consultation). See page340.
Las Juntas(the junctions, or meetings).
Kawia, the name of an Indian tribe near Fresno.
Kings County and River.See page278.
Klamath.See page249.
Laguna(lake or lagoon), in Sonoma and Orange Counties. There were manylagunasin the state. See page80.
Laguna del Corral(lake or lagoon of the yard). See page44.
Point Laguna(lake or lagoon point). See page261.
Laguna de las Calabasas(lagoon of the pumpkins).Calabasasin this case may be a corruption of the name of an Indian tribe,Calahuasa. See page79.
Laguna de la Merced(lagoon or lake of mercy). Lake Merced.
Laguna de los Palos Colorados(lagoon of the redwoods).
KAWEAH MOUNTAINS.“Kaweah, or Kawia, was the name of an Indian tribe near Fresno.”
KAWEAH MOUNTAINS.
“Kaweah, or Kawia, was the name of an Indian tribe near Fresno.”
Laguna Puerca(muddy lagoon), in the SanFrancisco district. This name does not mean “Hog Lake,” as has been stated.
Laguna del Rey(lagoon of the king).
Laguna de San Antonio(lagoon of St. Anthony).
Laguna Seca(dry lagoon). See page340.
Lagunitas(little lagoons or lakes), one in Inyo County and one in Marin County. See page340.
Lancha Plana(flat-boat). See page330.
Largo(long). This place is in Mendocino County. The name of this station represents an inversion of the usual order of naming, since it is a translation into Spanish of the name of Mr. L. F. Long, a pioneer of Mendocino County.
Laureles(laurels). See page159.
León(lion). See page80. This name turns out not to be Spanish in origin, but merely the name of an American who first had charge of the post-office there.
Lerdo(a surname), is in Kern County.
La Liebre(the hare, or jack-rabbit).
Linda Rosa(lovely rose), is forty-eight miles from San Bernardino.
Linda Vista(lovely view). See page45.
Llagas(wounds, or stigmata). See page179.
Llanada(a wide, level plain). See page159.
Llanitos de los Corréos(plains of the mails).Corréowas used to mean a King’s messenger, mail or bag of letters, and it is possible that at this point a messenger or mail carrier caught up with the exploring party.
Llano(a flat, level field). There are places bearing this name in Los Ángeles and Sonoma Counties.
Llano de Buena Vista(plain of the good view).
Llano de Santa Rosa(plain of St. Rose).
Llano Seco(dry plain).
Llano de Tequisquite(plain of saltpetre).Tequisquiteis an Aztec word.
Llorones(the weepers), a name given to a place in the vicinity of San Francisco Bay, for the reason given in Palou’s account of the expedition to that region in 1776, as follows: “The launch went out again with the pilot Bautista Aguiray to examine the arm of the sea that runs to the southeast; they saw nothing more than two or three Indians who made no other demonstration than to weep, for which reason the place was calledLa Ensenada de los Llorones(the bay of the weepers).”
Lobitos(little seals), is on the Ocean Shore Line, near San Francisco.
Lobos(wolves, also sea-wolves, or seals). See pages160and226.
Loma(hill).
Point Loma(hill point). See page45.
Loma Linda(beautiful hill), is in San Bernardino County.
Loma Prieta(dark hill). See page160.
Lomas de la Purificación(hills of the purification).
Lomas de Santiago(hills of St. James).
Loma Vista(hill view), near Los Ángeles. Modern and improper in construction. It should beVista de la Loma.
Lomerías Muertas(dead hills), possibly should beLomerías de los Muertos(hills of the dead).
Lomitas(little hills), north of San Francisco.
Lompoc, an Indian name. See page108.
López(a surname). See page128.
Lorenzo(Lawrence).
Lugo(a surname), that of a family of early settlers. This place is thirty miles from San Bernardino.
De Luz(a surname). See page45.
Madera(wood). See page277.
Madrone, properly spelled Madroño, a native tree of California. See page179.
Málaga, the name of a province in Southern Spain celebrated for its exports of grapes, raisins, oranges, lemons, figs and almonds. As raisins are among the chief products of this part of Fresno County, the town of Málaga was so named from the Spanish province.
Manca, orManka. To prevent the unwary from falling into the erroneous belief that this name is Spanish or Indian, the rather humorous story of Manka is told here. The story goes that it was named for a German who came there in ’67, built a little sixteen by twenty-four foot shanty and sold whiskey. It was his proud boast that in the fifteen years he ran this business he never renewed his stock. The inference may be drawn.
Manteca(lard, butter), is near Modesto. This place was so called by the railroad company in reference to a creamery existing there. In Spanish America butter is calledmantequilla.
Manzana(apple), is in Los Ángeles County.
Manzanita(little apple), a native shrub that is one of the most striking objects in the Californiawoods. Fremont says of it: “A new and singular shrub was very frequent to-day. It branched out near the ground, forming a clump eight to ten feet high, with pale green leaves of an oval form, and the body and branches had a naked appearance as if stripped of the bark, which is very smooth and thin, of a chocolate color, contrasting well with the pale green of the leaves.” Towns in Marin, San Diego, and Tehama Counties bear the name ofManzanita.
Powers, in hisTribes of California, describes the method of making manzanita cider practiced by the Indians, as follows: “After reducing the berries to flour by pounding, they carefully remove all the seeds and skins, then soak the flour in water for a considerable length of time. A squaw then heaps it up in a little mound, with a crater in the center, into which she pours a minute stream of water, allowing it to percolate through. In this way she gets about a gallon an hour of a really delicious beverage, clear, cool, clean and richer than most California apple cider. As the Indians always drink it up before it has time to ferment, it is never intoxicating.” Fremont also mentions this as a very deliciousdrink that he had tasted when among the Indians.
Manzanita Knob, in Tulare County, is near the summit of the Sierras.
Mapache Peak(raccoon peak).
Mar(the sea).
Del Mar(of the sea).
Mare Island.See page206.
Maricopais the name of an Arizona tribe. The word is said to mean “bean people,” which is probably the correct definition.—(A. L. Kroeber.)
Marin.See page219.
Mariposa(butterfly). See page317.
Martínez(a surname). See page229.
Matilija.See pages103and340.
Médanos, also spelledMéganos(sand-banks, or dunes). This place is in Contra Costa County.
Media(middle), is in Madera County.
Mendocino.See page248.
Mendota(a surname), is in Fresno County.
Merced(mercy). See pages276and340.
Mesa(table, table-land). See pages45and340.
La Mesa(the table or table-land), is in San Diego County.
Mesa Grande(big table-land). See page46.
Mesa de Ojo de Agua(table-land of the spring).
Mesquite(a native shrub of the locust variety).
Milpitas(little patches of corn). This word is said to be the diminutive ofmilpa(a patch of maize or corn), but in that case must have referred to corn cultivated by Mexicans, since the California Indians raised no cultivated crops, but subsisted entirely on the natural products of the land.Milpitasis a village in Santa Clara County, which for some unexplained reason, has come to be used as a term of derision, the “jumping off place of creation.” It was probably the name of a land grant.
La Mirada(the view). See page80.
Miramar(sea-view), is the name of a post town in San Diego County and of a summer resort near Santa Bárbara.
Miramontes(a surname). Candelario Miramontes, a native of Mexico, was the grantee of the Pilarcitos Rancho in ’41.
Misión Vieja, orLa Paz(old mission or the peace). Land grant.
Misión Vieja de la Purísima(old mission of the Immaculate Conception).
Mocho Peak, in Santa Clara County.Mochomeans “cropped, cut off.”
Modesto(modest). See page288.
Modoc(people of the south). See page250.
Mojave, orMohave. Mojave, also spelled Mohave, is an Indian tribal name of disputed meaning. It has been stated that it comes fromhamucklihabi(three hills), but this view is positively contradicted by scientists. In the documents of the Spanish explorers the Mojaves are referred to as Amajabas. The Mojave River is remarkable in that it has no true outlet, but sinks into the alkaline soil of the desert near the middle of San Bernardino County.
Mokelumne.See Moquelumne.
Molino(mill, or mill-stone). See page80.
Los Molinos(the mills, or mill-stones). See page80.
El Río de los Molinos(the river of the mill-stones), now called Mill Creek, in Tehama County. See page80.
Mono.See page324.
Montalvo(a surname), in Ventura County. See page81.
Monte(hill or wood).Montewas generally usedin the sense of “wood” or “forest” by the Spanish-Americans of the eighteenth century.
El Monte(the hill or the wood).
Del Monte(of the wood or hill). In the case of the Hotel del Monte, near Monterey, the name refers to the grove of fine live-oaks in the center of which the hotel stands.
Montecito(little hill or wood). See page101.
Monterey(hill or wood of the king). See page133.
Monte Vista(mountain view). Modern and improper in construction. It should beVista del Monte.
Moquelumne, orMokelumne. See page331.
Moreno(a surname). One of the leading members of this numerous family was Antonio Moreno, a native of Lower California.
Moro Cojo(lame Moor). See page160.
Morón(hillock, mound). This place is near Bakersfield.
Morro(a round headland, bluff). It is upon such a rock that the well-known Morro Castle at Havana is situated. See page128. This place receives its name from Morro Rock, a remarkable round rock, 600 feet high, situated at the entranceto the bay. The name has no reference to its grey color, as some people imagine, but refers to its shape—round like a head.
Mugu Point, on the coast of Ventura County. The Mugus were a tribe of Indians. The wordmugumeans “beach.”
Muñiz(a surname).
Murietta(a surname). See page81.
Nacimiento(birth), referring in this case to the birth of Christ. See page128.
La Nación(the nation). See Del Rey, page371.
Napa, formerly pronounced Napá. See page242.
Naranjo(orange-tree), in Tulare County.
La Natividad(the nativity). See page160.
Natoma, is a name about which the romanticists have concocted some pleasing theories upon very slender foundation. According to scientists it is a tribal name, indicating direction, a favorite method of naming among the Indians. It may mean “north people,” or “up-stream,” or “down-stream,” or some such term of direction. By a severe wrench of the imagination, as has been suggested, it may be considered that “up-stream” would eventually lead to the mountains, and that in the mountains there were people, among whomthere were undoubtedly girls, and in this “long-distance” manner Mr. Joseph Redding’s definition of Natoma as the “girl from the mountains” might be evolved, but the imagination is likely to suffer from such a violent strain. In the same way, the persons who believe it to mean “clear water” may have acquired this idea from the simple fact that the word contains an indirect reference to the stream in pointing out the direction of its current. It is disappointing perhaps, but nevertheless true, that Californian Indian nomenclature has little of romance behind it. The Indians usually chose names based upon practical ideas, most often ideas of direction, such as “north people,” “south people,” etc.
Navajo, also spelledlavajo(a pool where cattle go to drink).
Navarro(a surname). In Mendocino County, west of Ukiah.
Nevada(snowy). See page293.
El Nido(the nest). See page46. It is thought that this place was so named because of its location in the hills and mountains suggesting the idea of a nest in the landscape, but there is no definite information about it.
Los Nietos(literally “the grandchildren,” but in this case a surname). See page81.
Nimshew, in Butte County. This is an Indian word, fromNimsewi(big river), a division of Maidu Indians living on upper Butte Creek, in Butte County, near the edge of the timber.
Nipomo, in San Luís Obispo County, is probably Indian, but its meaning has not been ascertained.
Los Nogales(the walnut-trees).
Del Norte(of the north). See page260.
Novato(new, beginning anything, but possibly in this case a surname). The exact origin of the name of this California town has not been ascertained. The place is in Marin County and as there was a land grant there calledEl Rancho de Novato, the probabilities are that it is a surname of some family of early settlers.
Noyo, is in Mendocino County. It was the Indian name of a creek, not the one now bearing the name of Noyo, but of another one in the vicinity.
Nuestra Señora del Refugio(our lady of refuge).
Nuevo(new). In San Diego County.
Oaklandwas originally calledLas Encinas(the oaks), having been named by the commandanteat Monterey as a result of the report of Lieutenant Vallejo of the great number of those trees growing upon the spot.—(Memoirs of the Vallejos, edited by James H. Wilkins, San Francisco Bulletin, January, 1914.)
Océano(ocean), near San Luís Obispo.
Ojai, the name of a former Indian village in Ventura County, popularly translated as “nest” or “big tree,” neither of which can be looked upon as authentic. According to Professor A. L. Kroeber, the meaning of the wordOjaiis “moon.”
Los Ojitos(little springs). See page58.
Ojo de Agua(spring of water). See pages59and340.
Ojo de Agua de Figueroa(spring of Figueroa), the last word being a surname. The Figueroa family were among the earliest settlers.
Ojo Caliente(hot spring).
Ojo de Agua del Coche(spring of the pig).
Olancha, in Inyo County, just below Owens Lake, was named for the Olanches Indians of southeastern California.
Olema.See page230.
Oliveras(olive-trees), in San Luís Obispo County. Olivera is also a surname.
Los Olivos(the olives). See page108.
Olla(a round earthen pot, also a whirlpool in a river or sea). Its application here has not been ascertained.
Olompali, was named for a former large Moquelumnan village in Marin County, about six miles south of Petaluma.
Omo, in El Dorado County, is the name of a Moquel village.
Oro Fino(fine gold), in Siskiyou County. See page261.
Oro Grande(large or coarse gold), forty-nine miles north of San Bernardino. Also in Madera County.
Oroville(gold-town). See page288.
Oso Flaco(thin bear). In San Luís Obispo County.
Los Osos(the bears). See page128.
Otay, orOtai, was the name of a former Indian village near San Diego. It may have first been applied to the Otey or Otay land grant.
Otero(literally a “hill, or eminence,” but probably a surname here).
Pachappa, near Riverside, Indian name, meaning not ascertained.
Pacheco(a surname). See page230.
Pacoima, near Los Ángeles, an Indian word, meaning not ascertained.
Paicines, also spelledPajines. See page160.
Pájaro(bird). See pages152and340.
Pala.See page33.
Palmas(palms).
Dos Palmas(two palms), in Riverside County, so called from two giant palms near a spring.
Palo, literally “stick,” was used by the Spaniards in the sense of “tree.”
Palo Alto(high tree). See page172.
Palo Blanco(white stick, or tree).
Palo Cedro(cedar tree), in Shasta County.
Palo Colorado(redwood tree). These trees were first observed and named by Gaspar de Portolá, the discoverer of San Francisco Bay.
Dos Palos(two sticks, or trees). See page283.
Paloma(dove, pigeon).
Palo Verde(green tree).
Panamint Range.See page332.
Panocha.See page160.
La Panza(the paunch), in San Luís Obispo County, so named by some hunters who placed the paunch of a beef to catch bear.La Paleta(shoulder-blade) andEl Carnaso(loin) were put out in other places, and the names still remain.
Las Papas(potatoes) Hill, is in the San Francisco district.Papa(potato), is provincial and American.
Paraíso(paradise). See page161.
Paraje de Sánchez(place or station of Sánchez).
Pasadena(crown of the valley). See page82.
Paskenta, in Tehama County, is Indian and means “under the bank.”
Paso(pass).
El Paso(the pass), of the Truckee River.
El Paso Peak(the pass peak), in Kern County.
Del Paso(of the pass), near Sacramento.
Paso de Bartolo(pass of Bartolo), the last a Christian name.
Paso de Robles(pass of the oaks). See pages124and340.
Pastoría de las Borregas(pasture of the ewe-lambs).
La Patera(a place where ducks congregate). In early days the fresh water swamps near here abounded with ducks. La Patera is a flag station in Santa Bárbara County.
La Paz(the peace). Probably a peace arrangedwith the Indians, or it may have been named for La Paz in Lower California.
Pecho Rock, near San Luís Obispo. The reason for this name has not been discovered, but it may be a reference to the shape of the rock.Pechomeans “breast.”
Pedernales(flints). See page104.
Los Peñasquitos(the little cliffs), in San Diego County.
Peralta(a surname), that of a pioneer family.
Peras(pears) Creek, in Los Ángeles County.
Los Perros(the dogs), possibly Indian dogs.
Pescadero Point(fishing-place point). See page231.
Petaluma.See page261.
Picachos Mountains, a ridge east of San Francisco Bay.Pichacosare frequent, isolated, conical peaks.
Picacho(top, sharp-pointed summit), is the name of a post village in Imperial County.
Pico(a surname), ten miles from Los Ángeles. José María Pico of Sinaloa was the founder of this family, and its most notable member was his son, Pío Pico, at one time governor of California. According to Bancroft, the character of Pío Picowas a mixture of good and bad, in which the good predominated. “He was abused beyond his deserts; he was a man of ordinary intelligence and limited education; of a generous, jovial disposition, reckless and indolent, fond of cards and women; disposed to be fair and honorable in transactions, but not strong enough to avoid being made the tool of knaves. He did not run away with large sums of money obtained by sales of missions, as has been charged.”
Piedra(stone, rock), near Fresno.
Piedras Blancas(white rocks). See page128.
Piedras Grandes(big rocks).
La Piedra Pintada(the painted rock). See page108.
Pilar(literally “pillar of stone”). Point Pilar may have been named forNuestra Señora del Pilar, (Our Lady of the pillar), from a church at Saragossa, Spain, where there is an image of the Virgin on a marble pillar. Pilar is also a surname, that of a pioneer family, for whom this point may have been named.
Pilarcitos(little pillars, or little Pilar Ranch).
Pilitas(basins or water-holes in rock).
El Pinal(the pine grove), in San Joaquín County.
Pino Blanco(white pine), in Mariposa County.
Pino Grande(big pine), in El Dorado County, near Placerville.
Pinole(parched corn ground into meal). Point Pinole was so named because the expedition under Lieutenant Vallejo had nothing to eat but pinole while they waited at that spot for the return of thecargadoreswith provisions from Monterey.—(Memoirs of the Vallejos, edited by James H. Wilkins, San Francisco Bulletin, January, 1914.)