Monday, January 19, 1970

Places-CA: Yokut Valley/Squaw Valley


Yokut Valley/Squaw Valley-1,631' (Tucker Mountain) (36.7402261, -119.2467850)
Legal: T__S, R__E, Sec__



Deg Min Vertical Deg Min Distance Visible
Delilah
238
8
=4
26
8.4
Partial
Park Ridge
273
48
-3
13
16.9
Yes
Buck Rock
270
40
-3
32
21.4



Description : Trips : References : Pictures 


Description:
In January 2023, the US Board of Geographic Names met and decided to change the name of Squaw Valley to Yokut Valley.

How did Squaw Valley get its name? First, squaw is an Algonquin word in the East, meaning woman. Western Indians did not use this word. It was the white settlers who called woman this. Some possibilities:

  • Just off of Ruth Hill Rd there is what looks like a woman's moccasin print/ in a granite rock. It is pointing into the valley, according to a legend so it designates the entire valley as being woman's land. The legend also has it that death will come to anyone who puts their foot into the impression.
  • When the braves went out, they would leave their families in Squaw Valley. Since the Yokuts were peaceful, this is unlikely. It was more likely they were off looking for game in the higher mountains.
  • Least likely is that the men went to war, but were completely wiped out. The tribe's chief's wife was pregnant and bore a son. From there the whole tribe got regenerated.

 From Oak to Pine to Timberline by Helen and Forest Clingman 

One of the oldest school district's in Fresno County was started in Squaw Valley in 1871.  Evidently Sontag and Evans were regulars around the area as they came up and talked with the children at the school. The school district continued on until at least 1966 when it had 14 students (1965 count) when it closed. It was one of the last on room schools in the State of California. The building became the Squaw Valley Community Center. Justice Court was held here as well. From Oak to Pine to Timberline by Helen and Forest Clingman 

 

The Chuckaiminas tribe of the Yokut people occupied Wonder Valley. From Oak to Pine to Timberline by Helen and Forest Clingman

The rattlesnake dance of the Yokuts was done here, as well as other places to ward off being bitten by rattlesnakes. From Oak to Pine to Timberline by Helen and Forest Clingman

Saint Rita's Mission Church -was located at George Smith and Ruth Hill Roads. A place where Indians would gather for celebration as well as for Catholic mass.  From Oak to Pine to Timberline by Helen and Forest Clingman 

A US Post Office was established here in 1879, closed in 1918. Then in 1923 it was reestablished until 1945 when the Postmaster retired. It was a rural route of Orange Cove. In 1960, a US Post Office reopened after a depute with the one near Lake Tahoe was resolved. BF Sisk was instrumental in helping Squaw Valley get their own post office.From Oak to Pine to Timberline by Helen and Forest Clingman 



Trips:


References:
Pictures:



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