Nome Cult Trail
Encyclopedia
The Nome Cult Trail is a northern California
n historic trail located in present-day Mendocino National Forest
which goes along Round Valley Road and through Rocky Ridge
and the Sacramento Valley
. It is also known as the Koncow Trail of Tears. On August 28, 1863 all Konkow Maidu
were to be at the Bidwell Ranch in Chico
to be taken to the Round Valley Reservation at Covelo
in Mendocino County. Any Native Americans remaining in the area were to be shot. 435 Maidu were rounded up and marched under guard west out of the Sacramento Valley
and through to the Coastal Range. 461 Indians started the trek, 277 finished. They reached Round Valley
on September 18, 1863.
tribes to the Nome Lackee Indian Reservation near Paskenta, California. The Nomlaki
were first placed there in 1854 in an effort to control the tribe as well as protect them from recently arriving settlers.
After five children of local settlers were murdered, 461 members of the Concow Maidu
were rounded up and, on September 4, 1863, forced to march over 100 miles (160.9 km) from Chico, California
to the Round Valley Indian Reservation. Escorted by 23 US cavalrymen under the command of Captain Augustus Starr, many elderly or sick could not continue the trip during the ascent from the Sacramento Valley into the Coast Ranges. After the party stayed at Mountain House
between September 12-14, about 150 members were left behind. When news of this reached Fort Wright, the commandant Captain Douglas sent Superintendent James Short to bring food to those dying along the trail and several wagon teams to bring them back to the fort. After 13 days, Short was able to save only "a portion of them." According to a later report, Short described the horrific scene:
Continuing on, the Maidu were forced to climb 6000 ft (1,828.8 m) before their eventual descent into Round Valley
. During the journey, mothers reportedly tried to kill their babies fearing they too would be abandoned if they were to die as well. Only slightly more than half of the original 461 members survived the march. Along with the 150 left behind at Mountain House, 32 others died en route and two others who escaped before the remaining 277 eventually arrived at the reservation on September 18. Left by the cavalrymen, they had too few supplies for the winter months.
A small 4 miles (6.4 km) section exists and is part of the Nome Cult Mountain House Trail as part of a number of hiking trails in Mendocino National Forest
.
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
n historic trail located in present-day Mendocino National Forest
Mendocino National Forest
The Mendocino National Forest is located in the Coastal Mountain Range in northwestern California and comprises 913,306 acres...
which goes along Round Valley Road and through Rocky Ridge
Rocky Ridge
Rocky Ridge is the name of various places in North America:Canada* Rocky Ridge, Calgary, a neighbourhood in Calgary, AlbertaUnited States* Rocky Ridge, Maryland, an unincorporated community...
and the Sacramento Valley
Sacramento Valley
The Sacramento Valley is the portion of the California Central Valley that lies to the north of the San Joaquin-Sacramento Delta in the U.S. state of California. It encompasses all or parts of ten counties.-Geography:...
. It is also known as the Koncow Trail of Tears. On August 28, 1863 all Konkow Maidu
Maidu
The Maidu are a group of Native Americans who live in Northern California. They reside in the central Sierra Nevada, in the drainage area of the Feather and American Rivers...
were to be at the Bidwell Ranch in Chico
Chico, California
Chico is the most populous city in Butte County, California, United States. The population was 86,187 at the 2010 census, up from 59,954 at the time of the 2000 census...
to be taken to the Round Valley Reservation at Covelo
Covelo, California
Covelo is a census-designated place in Mendocino County, California, United States. Covelo is located east-northeast of Laytonville, at an elevation of 1398 feet...
in Mendocino County. Any Native Americans remaining in the area were to be shot. 435 Maidu were rounded up and marched under guard west out of the Sacramento Valley
Sacramento Valley
The Sacramento Valley is the portion of the California Central Valley that lies to the north of the San Joaquin-Sacramento Delta in the U.S. state of California. It encompasses all or parts of ten counties.-Geography:...
and through to the Coastal Range. 461 Indians started the trek, 277 finished. They reached Round Valley
Round Valley Indian Tribes of the Round Valley Reservation
The Round Valley Indian Reservation is a federally recognized Indian reservation lying primarily in northern Mendocino County, California, USA. A small part of it extends northward into southern Trinity County. The total land area, including off-reservation trust land, is 93.939 km²...
on September 18, 1863.
History
The trail was originally used during the mid-19th century to relocate Native AmericanNative Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
tribes to the Nome Lackee Indian Reservation near Paskenta, California. The Nomlaki
Nomlaki
The Nomlaki are a Wintun people native to the area of the Sacramento Valley, extending westward to the Coast Range in Northern California. Currently one person speaks Nomlaki...
were first placed there in 1854 in an effort to control the tribe as well as protect them from recently arriving settlers.
After five children of local settlers were murdered, 461 members of the Concow Maidu
Maidu
The Maidu are a group of Native Americans who live in Northern California. They reside in the central Sierra Nevada, in the drainage area of the Feather and American Rivers...
were rounded up and, on September 4, 1863, forced to march over 100 miles (160.9 km) from Chico, California
Chico, California
Chico is the most populous city in Butte County, California, United States. The population was 86,187 at the 2010 census, up from 59,954 at the time of the 2000 census...
to the Round Valley Indian Reservation. Escorted by 23 US cavalrymen under the command of Captain Augustus Starr, many elderly or sick could not continue the trip during the ascent from the Sacramento Valley into the Coast Ranges. After the party stayed at Mountain House
Mountain House
-United States:Cities, towns, etc.* Mountain House, Alameda County, California* Mountain House, San Joaquin County, California* Brush Creek, California, a community in Butte County, formerly known as Mountain HousePlaces or buildings...
between September 12-14, about 150 members were left behind. When news of this reached Fort Wright, the commandant Captain Douglas sent Superintendent James Short to bring food to those dying along the trail and several wagon teams to bring them back to the fort. After 13 days, Short was able to save only "a portion of them." According to a later report, Short described the horrific scene:
- "..about 150 sick Indians were scattered along the trail for 50 miles...dying at the rate of 2 or 3 a day. They had nothing to eat ... and the wild hogs were eating them up either before or after they were dead."
Continuing on, the Maidu were forced to climb 6000 ft (1,828.8 m) before their eventual descent into Round Valley
Round Valley, California
Round Valley is a census-designated place in Inyo County, California, United States. Round Valley is located northeast of Mount Tom, at an elevation of 4692 feet...
. During the journey, mothers reportedly tried to kill their babies fearing they too would be abandoned if they were to die as well. Only slightly more than half of the original 461 members survived the march. Along with the 150 left behind at Mountain House, 32 others died en route and two others who escaped before the remaining 277 eventually arrived at the reservation on September 18. Left by the cavalrymen, they had too few supplies for the winter months.
A small 4 miles (6.4 km) section exists and is part of the Nome Cult Mountain House Trail as part of a number of hiking trails in Mendocino National Forest
Mendocino National Forest
The Mendocino National Forest is located in the Coastal Mountain Range in northwestern California and comprises 913,306 acres...
.