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Early Amador County, California
HISTORY
by Jill O'Neall Ching
The early history of Amador County is long, varied and multi-cultural. This brief essay will attempt to broaden the recent
history, by including some of the important Native American history to the well established Gold Rush experience of beautiful
Amador County, California.For at least 2000 years before the Spanish and miner's arrived in the Mother Lode, many thousands
of Native Americans made their homes in the area which became Amador County, California. Evidence of the Miwok Native American
population is easily accessible at a California State Park in Amador named Chaw 'ses, where visitors today can view the Indian
Grinding Stone used for centuries by Miwok families. Tradition states that the acorns which were ground with pestle type instruments,
in the solid granite stone were essential to the survival of the Native American people. Their 'grinding spots' on the huge
stone were passed down from one generation to the next, preserved for time by familial relations. Also at the Park, visitors
can enter the tradtional 'long house' which served for ceremonial purposes in the community. This park is located 8 miles
east of Jackson, California in the Pine Grove area.
Miwok in Sierra history is a story of importance which should be remembered. One can learn more about the Miwok by utilizing
the on-line bibliography, simply click on the word Miwok.
The penutian language is spoken by the Miwok, a language which is being preserved in some quarters.
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