San Miguel de los Noches, California facts for kids
San Miguel de los Noches was an old Native American settlement. It was located in what is now the city of Bakersfield in Kern County, California. This place was an important spot many years ago.
What Was San Miguel de los Noches?
San Miguel de los Noches was known as a "rancheria." This was a type of small village or settlement where Native American people lived. It was a community where families lived and worked together. The area around it was rich in natural resources.
The Explorer's Visit
A Spanish explorer and priest named Padre Francisco Garces visited this area. He was a Franciscan friar, which means he was a member of a religious order. Padre Garces traveled through many parts of California.
On May 7, 1776, Padre Garces arrived at the rancheria. He was the one who gave the settlement its Spanish name, San Miguel de los Noches. This name means "Saint Michael of the Nights."
Its Legacy Today
Even though San Miguel de los Noches is no longer a visible settlement, its history lives on. The modern city of Bakersfield now covers the land where it once stood.
Today, there is a special place called the Garces Memorial Circle in Bakersfield. This memorial helps us remember Padre Francisco Garces and his journey. It also reminds us of the early history of the area, including the Native American communities like San Miguel de los Noches.
