Subscriber Comments for
The Pit to the Summit

Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

COMMENT 177641	2011-05-28 11:06 AM
Here comes the party-pooper... After the Chumash revolt at several missions in the 1820`s, many Chumash were sent to the SYV & many stayed in Syuxtun. The area known as "Hope Ranch"[not it`s actual name of course] & surroundings,became the "reservation" for the rest of the Natives [meaning it was deeded],but when it was obvious Mexico was losing the state,it was taken [illegaly if that means anything]& sold to U.S. interests, & re-sold since then. During it`s development,many artifacts were disturbed,stolen,sold to musuems,kept in collections,but none to the Chumash.
HATTIE	2011-05-28 11:38 AM
thanks for another enjoyable & educational chronicle of your local adventures! your commentary & photos are always delightful.
COMMENT 177666	2011-05-28 12:53 PM
I always look forward to the next installment of 'urban hikers' and have discovered many new areas because of it. Thank you!
COMMENT 177729	2011-05-28 05:11 PM
Same here--always looking forward to your posts. Enjoy how you both make it all so fascinating. We're on the lookout for the Urban Hikers!
COMMENT 177741	2011-05-28 07:06 PM
I so look forward to your commentaries with history not to easily be found elsewhere. It would be wonderful to have it all chronicled in a little booklet someday. I'd sure buy it!
EL BARBARENO	2011-05-28 07:53 PM
About the "wishbone" (cut from my comments in an earlier edhat article) The True Story of El Campana Perdidio. First off, the word "campanil" means "bell-tower" and "centinela" means "sentry" or "sentinel." Symbolically speaking, the wishbone stands as a sentry and serves as a bell tower as it originally had a bell attached to a chain hung from the center of the "wishbone. I don't know if that area was called "Campanil Hills" prior to the sub-division and streets coming in (around 1966) or if it was just the developer's enchanting name. But, only El Barbareno can tell you the true story of "el campana perdidio." The bell was removed by three or four San Marcos High School students around 1971 or 1972. If I recall correctly, one of them was sitting on the bell as they cut the chain and then it all let loose before he was ready and he took the ride down to earth perched atop the bell. He sang a fine soprano in church that Sunday. When I last heard, "el campana perdido" was languishing in the garage of one of the miscreant's parents or grandparents in Hope Ranch. Nice to hear it was taken to a responsible party. Maybe it's time to put it back. The fenced structure (unfenced when I was a kid) is part of the City of Santa Barbara's water system. It is the "Hope Pump Station and Reservoir." (some updates to the story) An edhat reader said the bell was in the Hope Ranch office. Another edhat reader, identified Robert Ingle Hoyt as the "Wishbone" architect (and as their father). And as for the date, a commentor found an article from the August 23, 1964 LA Times about a bell tower to be built at that spot. Thank you Urban Hikers for another enjoyable trek !
SEEDLADY	2011-05-29 07:24 AM
beautiful, evocative narration and delightful photos. 641, thanks for chiming in. It's important to know and respect all history, even if sad.
SBREAL	2011-05-29 03:18 PM
the stand of eucalyptus trees at corner of Braemar and Brosian Way go to the City Council for review, late June. The City Parks and Rec Commission voted 5 to 1 to remove the trees because of safety issues. Neighbors and concerned nature lovers are appealing the decision. I voted to save the trees. Chris Casebeer City of SB Parks and Rec commissioner
COMMENT 177933P	2011-05-29 03:41 PM
641: Your story fo "Hope Ranch" was interesting so I thought I would do some research about the "reservation". As I couldn't find anything about the "reservation", could you please provide directions to your source(s). I would love to research this more.
CHERIDIANE	2011-05-29 04:02 PM
Love reading your Urban Hikes articles and seeing the photos. Keep going. I learn so much history and see parts of the city I heretofore have not explored the way you do. I plan to explore more on foot myself after reading. Thank you, "Chris Casebeer, City of SB Parks and Rec commissioner" for voting to save the trees. I love eucalyptus trees. I love all trees. Of course they must be cared for and have a life span. But there are too many who would shorten said lifespan. So I applaud you.
EL BARBARENO	2011-05-30 11:32 AM
To 177933 about Hope Ranch… Hope Ranch was not a reservation for the Chumash, nor was it ever a treasure trove of Chumash artifacts. The Chumash did hunt in the Hope Ranch area and there was evidence of a village along the western bluff above the Hope Ranch Beach entrance. Though I have no knowledge of other Chumash “Hope Ranch” communities, I would not be surprised that there were small villages along creeks and other beneficial sites. The reservation that 117641 is referring to is the Chumash village of Cieneguitas (little swamps), roughly in the Hollister and Modoc area which was part of Hope Ranch at one time. The village was along the NW edge of Rancho Las Positas y Calera (granted in 1843) which was purchased by Thomas Hope in 1861. Cieneguitas was a village before the Spanish arrived and continued to exist through the Mission, Mexican and American eras. During Hope’s time the village was left undisturbed, but following his death (1876) and the sale of the ranch in 1887 the few Chumash still there were harassed and their homes destroyed (presumably by agents of the Pacific Improvement Company, the new owners of the ranch). For many years the only visible remnant of the village was a small adobe church believed to have been built in the late 1820s (though some have claimed as early as 1803). Chumash artifacts have been found in Hope Ranch, but not to the extent that 177641 states. However, the sites of the major Chumash villages of Syukthun (along West Beach between Chapala, Bath, and Montecito streets), Mescalitan Island (in the Goleta Slough) and Dos Pueblos were dug up by looters, archeologists, (amateur and professional) and tourists. TONS of these artifacts were indeed sent to museums and collections throughout the world. I would be curious to know where the information came from that following the 1824 Chumash revolt many Chumash were sent to the Santa Ynez Valley and to Syukthon (there are many spelling for that village). The whole idea of rounding up the Chumash that had fled over the mountains was to bring them back to missions, not send them to “unsupervised” villages away from the control of the missions. For more information about the village of Cieneguitas or the 1824 Chumash Revolt visit the Santa Barbara Historical Museum library (you can just walk in) or call the Santa Barbara Mission Archive Library (appointments only).
COMMENT 178727	2011-06-01 12:01 PM
There are history books written by those who would be favored should one take the Western teachings to heart. Then there are those who`s families were here during those historical times. El Barbareno,I see you are well versed in Western History,[it`s good to know both sides] but in Chumash teachings,we see differently. There`s a good reason your info can be found in books....because Chumash did`nt write it ... One will NOT find our teachings in a book,but must spend hours,days...years..with Elders to hear them. Peter O. , Santa Barbara Chumash Tour

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