Olompali State Historic Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Olompali State Historic Park |
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The Burdell Barn at Olompali State Historic Park
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 Olompali State Historic Park
Location in California
Olompali State Historic Park
Location in the United States
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| Location | Marin County, California, USA |
| Nearest city | Novato, California |
| Area | 700 acres (2.8 km2) |
| Governing body | State of California |
| Official name: Rancho Olompali | |
| Designated: | January 12, 1973 |
| Reference #: | 73000409 |
| Built: | 1840 |
| Official name: Oldest House North of San Francisco Bay | |
| Reference #: | 210 |
Olompali State Historic Park is a 700-acre (2.8 km2) California State Park in Marin County, California. It was once a large ranch called Rancho Olómpali. This park was also the site of the famous Battle of Olómpali during the Bear Flag Revolt. The Californian government bought Rancho Olómpali in 1977 and made it a public park for everyone to enjoy.
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Why Olompali Park is Special
This park is home to the oldest house still standing north of the San Francisco Bay. It was built in 1776 using adobe bricks by the chief of the Olompolli band of the Coast Miwok tribe. This important house is recognized as California Historical Landmark #210.
The chief's son, named Camilo Ynitia, was a unique Native American leader in Northern California. He was able to keep a large Mexican-era land grant. This was very rare for Native Americans at that time.
A Look Back: Olompali's Past
Ancient Times: The Native American Village
The name "Olompali" comes from the Coast Miwok language. It probably means "southern village" or "southern people." The Coast Miwok village of Olompali has been here since about 500 CE. By 1200 CE, Olompali was a major center. It might have been the largest native village in Marin County.
Archaeologists found an English silver coin from 1567 in the park. This coin suggests that villagers might have met Francis Drake. Or they might have traded with people who had met him. Many Miwok artifacts have been found here. This shows that Olompali was an important place for trade and culture.
The oldest house built north of the San Francisco Bay was constructed here in 1776. The Coast Miwok people built it with adobe bricks. The chief of the Olompoli tribe, Aurelio, owned it. He was the father of Camilo Ynitia. Camilo was known as the last Hoipu, or Headman, of the Miwok community at Olompali.
Mexican Era: Rancho Olompali
In 1843, Governor Manuel Micheltorena of Alta California gave the land of Rancho Olómpali to Camilo Ynitia. He was the acting Hoipu of the village. This land grant was called "Olompali #48." It covered about 8,877 acres (35.9 km2).
The new Rancho Olompali included Ynitia's father's historic adobe house. It also included Camilo Ynitia's own adobe house. Ynitia's adobe house was the site of the Battle of Olómpali in June 1846. This battle happened during the Bear Flag Revolt.
Ynitia owned the Olompali land for nine years. In 1852, he sold most of it to James Black for $5,200. James Black became one of the biggest landowners in Marin County. Ynitia kept 1,480 acres (6.0 km2) of Olompali, which he called Apalacocha.
The Black and Burdell Families
In 1863, the land and adobe house went from James Black to his daughter, Mary Black Burdell. Her husband was Galen Burdell, a rich dentist. Mary's son, James, turned Olompali into a large country estate. He built a 26-room mansion. This mansion used the foundations and rooms of Ynitia's original adobe house.
Changing Hands: From Retreat to State Park
The Burdell family eventually sold the land and estate to Court Harrington. Harrington then sold it to the University of San Francisco. The university used it as a quiet place for reflection.
During the 1960s, the University of San Francisco sold Olompali several times. Each time, the buyers could not pay, and the property went back to the university. The land was used by different groups during this time. Finally, in 1977, the State of California bought Olompali. It was then opened as a public park for everyone to visit and learn about its history.
Park Location
Olompali State Historic Park is located at 8901 Redwood Highway, State Highway 101. It is about 3.5 miles (5.6 km) north of Novato. The park is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Rancho Olompali. Ynitia's adobe house is registered as California Historical Landmark #210.
- Historic American Landscapes Survey (HALS) No. CA-4, "Olompali State Historic Park, Mary Burdell Garden, U.S. Highway 101, Novato, Marin County, CA", 20 photos, 3 measured drawings, 27 data pages, 2 photo caption pages
