List of Ohlone villages facts for kids

Map of the Costanoan languages and major villages.

The Ohlone people, also known as Costanoan, are Native American groups who lived in what is now Northern California. Around the year 1769, there were over 50 different Ohlone villages and tribes. These groups lived in areas like the San Francisco Peninsula, Santa Clara Valley, the East Bay, Santa Cruz Mountains, Monterey Bay, and Salinas Valley.

The Ohlone people spoke several different languages, which are often grouped together as Costanoan languages. Sadly, in 1925, a person named Alfred Kroeber, who was in charge of the Hearst Museum, mistakenly said that the Ohlone tribe no longer existed. This wrong statement caused the Ohlone people to lose their official recognition from the government and their rights to their ancestral lands.

San Francisco Peninsula

The Ohlone people living on the San Francisco Peninsula mainly spoke the Ramaytush language. Some groups on the southern border also spoke Tamyen.

Here are some of the tribes and villages found on the San Francisco Peninsula:

• Ahwaste – Lived on the San Francisco Peninsula.
• Chiguan – Lived along the Pacific Coast near Half Moon Bay.
• Lamchin – Lived in what is now San Mateo County, along the Bay shore from Belmont to Redwood City.
• Oljon – Lived on the Pacific Coast near San Gregorio Creek and Pescadero Creek.
• Quiroste – Lived along the Pacific Coast from Bean Hollow Creek to Ano Nuevo Creek.
• Ssalson – This tribe lived along San Mateo Creek. They had three villages:
  • Aleitac
  • Altahmo
  • Uturbe
• Pruristac – Located near San Pedro Creek in present-day Pacifica.
• Urebure (also called Buriburi) – Lived near San Bruno Creek south of San Bruno Mountain.
• Yelamu – This tribe lived on the northern part of the San Francisco Peninsula. They had many villages, and many people from these villages later joined Dolores Mission. Some of their villages included:
  • Amuctac – Near Visitacion Valley in San Francisco.
  • Chutchui – Near the site of Mission Dolores in San Francisco.
  • Petlenuc – Near the Presidio of San Francisco.
• Puichon – Lived near present-day Menlo Park, Palo Alto, and Mountain View.

Many people from these tribes became part of Mission Dolores: Ahwaste, Chiguau, Chuscan, Cotejen, Karkin, Olemos, Olhon, Saclan, Salzon, and Uchium.

Santa Clara Valley

In the Santa Clara Valley, the main language spoken was Tamyen. On the eastern edges, some people spoke Chochenyo. The Tamyen language region was generally along the Guadalupe River and west through Cupertino.

Here are some tribes and villages of the Santa Clara Valley:

• Alson – Lived in the marshlands at the southern end of San Francisco Bay, in areas like present-day Newark, Milpitas, and Alviso.
• Aulintac – Lived along Coyote Creek.
• Matalan – Lived in the Santa Clara Valley from Coyote to Morgan Hill.
• Pala (also known as Palenos) – Lived in the mountains between Santa Clara Valley and Mount Hamilton.
• Ritocsi – Lived in the Santa Clara Valley along the upper Guadalupe River and central Coyote Creek.
• San Bernardino Group – This group included several tribes in the Santa Clara Valley, such as:
  • Lamaytu
  • Muyson
  • Pornen
  • Solchequis
• So-co-is-u-ka – This village was the original site of the Mission Santa Clara (Mission Santa Clara de Thamien) on the Guadalupe River in 1777.
• Somontac (also called Santa Clara) – Possibly near Los Gatos.
• Thamien – This village was also an original site for Mission Santa Clara in 1777.
• Tayssen – Lived in a large area of the eastern Coast Ranges east and southeast of Santa Clara Valley.

East Bay Area

In the East Bay area, people spoke Chochenyo. In the northern part, the Karkin language was spoken.

Here are some tribes and villages of the East Bay:

• Causen (also known as Patlans) – Lived in Sunol Valley.
• Huchiun – Lived along a large part of the East Bay shore, from Temescal Creek to present-day Richmond.
• Karkin (called Los Carquines by the Spanish) – Lived on both sides of the Carquinez Strait, near present-day Crockett, Port Costa, Martinez, and Benicia.
• Jalquin/Yrgen – Lived in present-day Hayward and Castro Valley.
• Pelnen – Lived in the western part of Livermore Valley, from Pleasanton to Dublin.
• Souyen – Lived in the marshland of Livermore Valley and up Tassajara Creek into the southern foothills of Mount Diablo.
• Ssaoam – Lived around Brushy Peak and Altamont Pass.
• Taunan – Lived in the mountainous parts of Alameda Creek and Arroyo del Valle.
• Tuibun – Lived at the mouth of Alameda Creek and the Coyote Hills area. This area is now preserved in Coyote Hills Regional Park.
• Saclan – A group of the Costanoan family who lived south of Oakland.

Santa Cruz Mountains

In the Santa Cruz Mountains, the main language spoken was Awaswas. On the eastern border, some people spoke Tamyen.

Here are some tribes and villages of the Santa Cruz Mountains:

• Achista – Lived in the Santa Cruz Mountains, near present-day Boulder Creek.
• Chalumu – Lived at the current location of the city of Santa Cruz.
• Chaloctac – Lived around Loma Prieta Creek on the top of the Santa Cruz Mountains.
• Cotoni – Lived on the Pacific Coast at present-day Davenport.
• Olpen (also known as Guemelentos) – Lived in the interior hills and valleys of the Santa Cruz Mountains.
• Partacsi (also known as "Paltrastach") – Lived in the mountainous area of Saratoga Gap, including the upper Pescadero Creek and Stevens Creek areas.
• Sayanta – Lived in the Scotts Valley, Glenwood, and Laurel areas.
• Sokel – Lived in present-day Aptos.

Monterey Bay Area

Around Monterey Bay, different languages were spoken: Awaswas on the north coast, Rumsen on the south coast, and Mutsun inland.

Here are some tribes and villages of the Monterey Bay area:

• Aptos – Lived along the shores of Monterey Bay from Aptos east, halfway up the Pajaro River.
• Cajastaca – Lived north or northeast of Watsonville, near the Pajaro River.
• Ichxenta – Lived at San Jose Creek, near Point Lobos State Reserve.
• Rumsien – This village was located near the Carmel River, about 5 miles inland from San Carlos Mission.
• Uypi – Lived in the area of present-day City of Santa Cruz.
• Wacharon – Lived near present-day Moss Landing.

Salinas Valley

In the Salinas Valley, the languages spoken were Rumsen, Mutsun, and Chalon.

Here are some tribes and villages of the Salinas Valley:

• Ansaime (also spelled Ausaima) – Lived on the east side of San Felipe sink on Pacheco Creek.
• Chipuctac – Lived in the Cañada de los Osos area northeast of Gilroy.
• Mutsun – This village was located at the Mission San Juan Bautista, on the San Benito River, west of present-day Hollister.
• Pitac – Possibly in the San Martin area.
• Tomoi – Lived in the general area of Pacheco Pass.
• Unijaima (also spelled Unijaimas) – Lived in the Gilroy and Carnadero areas.
• Wachero-n – Lived at the site of Mission Soledad on the Salinas River.