A Chance Encounter: Un Encuentro Casual
Un Encuentro Casual. Near this site, an Ohlone man traveling along a well-worn path encountered a group of armed men riding large four-legged beasts. The man, having never seen such men or horses, was startled. To show that he would not resist or threaten them, he lay down.
I tried to relieve his fright and to get him to stand up, but for a long time I was unable to succeed, for he had courage only to take weakly some glass beads, most of which he let fall. Seeing this, I thought it best to leave the unfortunate fellow alone, and if I had not done so I think he would have died.
- Juan Bautista de Anza, 1776
First meetings like this one in 1776 between Anza’s exploration party and a native man were common. Some California Indians greeted the newcomers warmly. Others were hostile, and many were distrustful. Even today the perceptions of those first encounters stir a mix of emotion.
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“In the med-1960s I led the way to stop the desecration of Ohlone and Bay Miwok culture under the bulldozers of development and called for preservation of the Ohlones Indian Cemetery at Old Mission San Jose (Fremont). As a result of my family’s efforts, not only was Interstate-680 rerouted but also the proposed path of Paseo Padre Parkway was likewise altered. In 1971 the property was officially returned to the Ohlone Indian Tribe following the Tribe’s incorporation. This is the only price of former California Mission property returned to Mission Indian descendants by the Catholic Church in the state of California.
- Felipe “Phil” Galvan
Cerdo de este sitío, un hombre ohlone, viajando por un sendera muy usado se encontró con un grupo de hombres bien armados montando en bestías de cuatro patas. El hombre, sin haber visto nunea tales hombres o caballos, tuvo o miedo. Para mostrarles que no resistiría o los menazaría, se tendió en el suelo.
Yo traté de aliviar su [?] y que se levantara, pero por mucho tiempo no pude, pues él ánimo para solo debilmente tomar algunas cuentas de vidrio, dejando caer casi todas. Al ver esto, pense major dejar solo al pobre hombre, y si no lo hubiera hecho, pienso que él se habria muerto.
- Juan Bautista de Anza, 1776
Primeros enenentros como este en 1776 entre el grupo exploratorio de Anza y un hombre native eran comunes. Algunos indigenas de California recibieron a los recién venidos afectosamente. Otros eran hostiles, y muchos eran desconfiados. Hasta hoy día, las percepciones de estos primeros encuientos causan una mezcla de emoción.
This project was funded in part by the National Park Service Challenge Cost Share Program.
Alameda Clean Water Program
Parks and Water Bond 2000
Hayward Area Recreation and Park District
Hayward Area Historical Society
Juan Bautista De Anza National Historic Trail . This historical marker was erected by National Park Service. It is in Hayward in Alameda County California