So You Think You Know Who Lived in San Fran First? Forget Gold Rush Wannabes, Meet the OG Dwellers
San Francisco. City of sourdough, cable cars, and enough fog to lose your socks in. But before the tech boom and the hordes of sourdough slingers, who were the original San Franciscans? Spoiler alert: it wasn't a bunch of dudes in ripped jeans panning for flakes of gold (although, those guys did come along later and mess things up a bit).
 |
| What Native American Tribes Lived In San Francisco |
Ohlone Power: The OG Crew You Never Heard Of
That's right, folks. The San Francisco Bay Area, including present-day San Francisco, was home to the Ohlone people for over 10,000 years! Talk about rent control! The Ohlone weren't just chilling on some prime real estate; they were thriving. We're talking expert hunters, gatherers, and fishermen who lived in harmony with their environment. Sustainable living? They invented it.
There were different Ohlone groups, and the ones who stomped around San Francisco were the Ramaytush Ohlone. These guys were skilled at navigating the bay and developed complex social structures with their own language and traditions.
QuickTip: Reread tricky spots right away.
Where'd Everybody Go? Insert Sad Trombone Here
Unfortunately, the arrival of the Spanish in the late 1700s wasn't exactly a fiesta for the Ohlone. Disease, forced assimilation, and yep, good old-fashioned war decimated their population. Today, there are only a handful of Ohlone lineages with living descendants.
But wait! There's more to the story! The San Francisco Bay Area was also home to other indigenous groups like the Coast Miwok who lived north of the Golden Gate.
Note: Skipping ahead? Don’t miss the middle sections.
So You Want to Learn More? Don't Be a Tourist, Be a Time Traveler!
- Hit the Museums: The Oakland Museum of California and the de Young Museum have excellent exhibits on the Ohlone people and the Bay Area's indigenous history.
- Get Literary: Check out books by Indian author Rupert Ross, who writes about the Ohlone people and their history.
- Listen Up! There are podcasts dedicated to Ohlone culture and history. Try "Voices of the Ohlone People."
FAQ: Become an Ohlone Expert in 5 Easy Steps (Almost)
How to Pronounce Ohlone? Oh-LOH-nay
 |
How to Learn More About the Ohlone Culture? Check out the Ohlone Indian Tribe website or the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe website [There are websites for some of these - you can find them with a quick search].
Tip: Highlight sentences that answer your questions.
How Do I Show Respect? Be mindful when visiting places significant to the Ohlone people. Treat them with the respect they deserve.
How Can I Support Ohlone Communities Today? There are organizations working to preserve Ohlone culture and language. Look for opportunities to volunteer or donate.
Tip: Reading carefully reduces re-reading.
How Do I Earn My Ohlone History Badge? Start by reading this post! Then, keep learning and share what you know with others.
 |
