Bridge Gulch massacre facts for kids

The Bridge Gulch massacre, also known as the Hayfork massacre or Natural Bridge massacre, happened on April 23, 1852. During this event, more than 150 Wintu people were killed. About 70 American men, led by William H. Dixon, the sheriff of Trinity County in northern California, carried out the attack.

What Happened at Bridge Gulch?

The attack was a response to the killing of Colonel John Anderson by some Wintu people. The American men tracked a group of Wintu to a camp in an area called Bridge Gulch. This place is south of the Hayfork Valley.

They waited until early morning to attack, hoping no one would escape. When daylight arrived, they attacked the Wintu, who were just waking up. More than 150 Wintu people were killed. Only about five children survived by hiding. Some descendants of the Wintu who were there believe that around 500 or 600 Wintu were killed. They say the few survivors hid in nearby caves.

It is important to know that the Wintu people killed in this massacre were not the ones responsible for John Anderson's death. He was killed by Wintu from a different group.

Life for Native Americans in California

During the mid-1800s, many white settlers began arriving in California. They came from the east and Midwest, looking for land. Miners, ranchers, and other settlers moved into areas that belonged to Native Americans. As more settlers arrived, Native Americans were often forced to leave their homelands. This led to many conflicts over land and resources.

Besides losing their land, Native Americans also faced other challenges. New diseases brought by the settlers caused much suffering. They also experienced violence from the newcomers. Sometimes, US military troops were involved or helped in these actions.

At that time, California laws made it difficult for Native Americans to get fair treatment. For example, non-white people could not give evidence against white defendants in court. Because of these unfair rules, the men involved in these killings were often not punished by law.

Different Ways of Seeing the Land

White settlers often had different ideas about land use. They believed they could make better use of the land by farming it. They thought the land would be "wasted" if left in the hands of Native Americans.

Stories and rumors also spread, describing Native Americans in a negative way. This made it easier for some white people to justify their actions. These different beliefs and misunderstandings contributed to the conflicts that happened when land settlements began.

The Bridge Gulch Site Today

The natural bridge at Bridge Gulch is about 150 feet (46 meters) long and 30 feet (9 meters) high. It is located on Dobbins Gulch Road. Trails in the area are managed by the U.S. Forest Service. You can find them at the Natural Bridge Picnic Area, which is off Wildwood Road (County Road 302) in Trinity County.