Shalawa Meadow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shalawa Meadow |
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| Hammond's Meadow Hammond's Estate Site |
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Aerial view
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| Location | Montecito, California, U.S. |
| Nearest city | Santa Barbara, California |
| Owner | Santa Barbara County Parks |
Shalawa Meadow, also known as Hammond's Meadow, is a small 3-acre grassy area by the ocean in Montecito, California. It's about 5 miles east of Santa Barbara. Long ago, the Chumash people used this special place as a burial ground. A large Chumash village was once right next to it.
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A Look Back: The Chumash People
The area around Santa Barbara County is very important for history. The Chumash people lived here for over 13,000 years! They lived all along the coast, from the Santa Barbara Channel Islands up to the Carrizo Plain. This includes much of what is now Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura Counties.
Many signs of their old homes, art, and tools have been found. You can see some of these amazing items in local museums. The Chumash also created ancient rock art. You can still see some at places like Painted Cave, which is just a few miles from Shalawa Meadow. This coastal area is also very special to Native American culture. They believe the nearby Point Conception area is a spiritual "Western Gate."
How Shalawa Meadow Changed Over Time
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In 1906, a big house called Bonnymede was built. It was part of a large estate that included what we now call Shalawa Meadow. Esther Fiske Hammond bought this estate in the early 1900s. Her family built more buildings there until about 1950. Her son, George, even built a small airport. He used it to fly supplies to his family on nearby San Miguel Island.
In 1958, most of the estate was sold to builders. A group of apartments was built in the 1960s. They were named after the Bonnymede mansion, which had burned down. For many years, people argued about what to do with the land. Finally, in 1989, 20 apartments and 12 private homes were built. But three acres of the meadow were saved for everyone to use.
Hammond's Estate is the only Chumash site along the coast that is officially listed as a historic place. There are still some discussions about how to use and take care of the meadow. It's one of the few public spots left along the coast in Montecito. The beach next to it is also a very popular place for surfing in California.
The Special Monument
In 1979, a wise Chumash elder started a movement to protect this sacred place. Surfers and local people joined in to help.
A special monument was built near the beach entrance to Shalawa Meadow. It has colorful ceramic tiles with lizards, birds, and flowers. There are also two dolphin sculptures in blue ceramic. The monument has a special message carved into it:
The Sacredness
of the land lies in
the minds of its people.
This land is dedicated
to the Spirit
and memory of
the ancestors and
their children.
Even today, special ceremonies are held at the site. These happen during important times of the year, like the longest and shortest days.
During summer, the meadow's grass is cut very short. This helps prevent fires. It also makes the area less appealing for unauthorized camping.
How to Visit Shalawa Meadow
You can reach Shalawa Meadow from U.S. Route 101. To get to the Hammond Meadow Trail, go to the south end of San Ysidro Road. There's a parking area there for beach access.
When you face the ocean, the trail starts to your right. After a short walk, you'll reach Hammond Beach, which is east of the Coral Casino. You can walk back to where you started along the beach. This makes a nice loop with different views!
