Anderson Marsh State Historic Park

Anderson Marsh State Historic Park is a California State Historic Park and nature reserve preserving a tule marsh, archaeological sites of the Pomo people, and historic ranch structures.[1] It is located in Lake County, California, United States.[2] Anderson Marsh is located at the head of Cache Creek on the southeast corner of Clear Lake, the largest natural lake completely within the borders of California.[2] The park is between the cities of Lower Lake and Clearlake on State Route 53, north of Calistoga in the wine country.[3] The park is open year-round.[4]

Anderson Marsh State Historic Park
The Ranch House at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park
Map showing the location of Anderson Marsh State Historic Park
Map showing the location of Anderson Marsh State Historic Park
Map showing the location of Anderson Marsh State Historic Park
Map showing the location of Anderson Marsh State Historic Park
LocationLake County, California, United States
Nearest cityClearlake, California
Coordinates38°55′25″N 122°37′30″W
Area1,298 acres (5.25 km2)
Established1982
Governing bodyCalifornia Department of Parks and Recreation

Natural history

The Anderson Marsh Park contains 1,065 acres (431 ha) of native bunch grass-covered hills, oak woodland, and Tule (Schoenoplectus acutus) marshes. It protects several habitats including: freshwater marsh wetlands, native grasslands, California oak woodlands, and riparian woodlands. Aquatic and terrestrial wildlife include: large mouth bass, bluegill, catfish, crappie, the north-western pond turtle, bats, gray fox, frogs, garter snakes, mink, muskrats, opossums, raccoon, river otter, skunks, and toads.[5]

Approximately 151 different bird species, both migrating and resident, have been identified in the park.[6]

History

The Southeastern Pomo Native Americans, one of the largest groups of indigenous peoples of the Americas in pre-Columbian California, lived in the area of present-day Anderson Marsh State Historic Park, and their descendants continue to do so nearby. Anderson Marsh's archaeological sites provide artifacts of the Pomo people. Some sites are among the oldest found in California, dated at over 10,000 years old.[2] After recording 43 prehistoric sites, John Parker nominated the area to the National Register of Historic Places and began a campaign to have the sites acquired as a new State Park.[7]

John Grigsby homesteaded in 1854 with his family, and built a small house.[8] Scotsman John Still Anderson, with his wife and six children, bought the property from Grigsby in 1884, built what is now known as the Ranch House, and ran a dairy and raised beef cattle. Their descendants lived in the Ranch House until the 1960s.

The State Historic Park was named after John Still Anderson in 1982 after the State of California acquired the Anderson Marsh.[5][8][9]

Visitor attractions

Activities

The park offers bird watching, hiking, a bluegrass musical festival, and interpretive programs, including a historic ranch home.

Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association - AMIA

The Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association (AMIA) was formed in 1984 by park staff and other volunteers. The primary objective of the association is to promote the education and interpretive activities of the park. AMIA also funds projects including: habitat conservation and restoration work, trail accessibility construction and maintenance, interpretive displays and written information, facilities, historical objects rehabilitation, and acquiring interpretive items.

Closure proposal

Anderson Marsh State Historic Park is one of 70 California state parks scheduled to close in 2012 by California Governor Jerry Brown. The park will close July 2012 to achieve part of the $11 million budget reduction for the 2011/2012 fiscal year.[10] This park and 47 other state parks were previously slated for closure in 2008 for financial reasons,[11] but was saved from closure.

See also

References

Books

Videography

Notes
  1. https://www.academia.edu/4136675/Pipe_Dreams_Timeline_of_Events_Leading_to_Anderson_Marsh_State_Historic_Park six-year outline of how the park was acquired.
  2. California, California State Parks, State of. "Anderson Marsh SHP". CA State Parks.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. "Anderson Marsh State Historic Park". WhatsYour20. Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2009-05-22.
  4. "Anderson Marsh State Historic Park". Go-california.com. Retrieved 2009-05-22.
  5. "Lake County's Southern Crossing". Lcrem.com. Archived from the original on 3 May 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-22.
  6. "Lake County Visitor Guide - Birding / Birdwatching - Northern California Travel". Lakecounty.com. Archived from the original on 19 April 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-22.
  7. https://www.academia.edu/4136675/Pipe_Dreams_Timeline_of_Events_Leading_to_Anderson_Marsh_State_Historic_Park Six-year outline of how the park was acquired.
  8. "Northern California's Lake County Travel Guide - Vacation & Recreation Destination". Lakecounty.com. Archived from the original on 6 May 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-22.
  9. "Lower Lake, California Real Estate, Lower Lake Relocation". RelocateAmerica. Archived from the original on 2007-08-18. Retrieved 2009-05-22.
  10. "roughin.it". roughin.it.
  11. "CalParks.org: 2008 Park Closures Announced" Archived 2011-07-25 at the Wayback Machine
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