Share your favorites on Show & Tell

'A California Indian Creates,' 'Indians by the Golden Gate,' and 'Sir Francis Drake-1579'

In Office > Postal Antiques > Show & Tell and Native American > Show & Tell.
Native American Antiques1904 of 1909Please  Identify  my  PitcherHopi Kilt circa 1930
2
Love it
0
Like it

rocker-sdrocker-sd loves this.
vetraio50vetraio50 loves this.
Add to collection

    Please create an account, or Log in here

    If you don't have an account, create one here.


    Create a Show & TellReport as inappropriate


    Posted 14 years ago

    bayareamus…
    (74 items)

    In the Rincon Center in San Francisco, which I went to today (it is just a block from my office!) there is a series of 27 murals that course through time telling the story of California, if not all of humanity. It begins with Native Americans and ends after World War II.

    The muralist responsible for the series is Russian Anton Refreger (1905-1979). Refreger was commissioned as part of the New Deal in 1941, and he completed them in 1948 after the War. Some of the murals had to be changed because of the fear of communism--muralists were forced to try and be non-radical, though some socialist and populist themes find there way into these murals.

    Each comes with a description, which I will transcribe, in order for you here.

    1. California Indian Creates: "Indians have inhabited California for centuries. Some experts believe they settled here as many as 30,000 years ago. Various archaeological expeditions and digs have discovered prehistoric artifacts such as bones, shell mounds, burial areas and petroglyphs to support their theories. Approximately 105 distinct nations or tribes of Indians once existed in California. They spoke over 100 different dialects which were rooted in five basic languages."

    2. Indians by the Golden Gate: "All early European explorers record meeting with the Indians. As many as 300,000 Indians may have populated the state in 1769, the year they first encountered white settlers. By 1870, due to general mistreatment, massacres, disease, dispossession, and other indignities, the population of California Indians had shrunk to about 58,000. Northern California tribes included the Madoc, Pmo, Wintun, Hupa, Yana, Yuki, and Yurok.

    3. Sir Francis Drake-1579: "Sir Francis Drake, an English navigator and privateer, set sail from Plymouth in 1577 on a voyage around the world. According to accounts of that voyage, Drake landed in a California harbor in June of 1579. he stayed for 36 days during which time he had good relations with the Indians, repaired his ship, claimed the land for Queen Elizabeth of England, naming it Nova Albion. The precise location of Drake's landing is not known. Various theories suggest it may have been Bolinas Bay, Drake's Bay, the Marin side of San Francisco Bay, Bodega Bay, or Point Reyes."

    While I'm confused as you are on how #2 can say Indians first encountered whites in 1769 yet #3 says Drake was with Indians in 1579... Hmmm...

    Part of my trip to Rincon Center. For more on New Deal Post Office murals, check out this website: http://www.parmaconservation.com/newdealpostoffic.html

    logo
    Postal Antiques
    See all
    Rare Vintage Small USPS Post Office Brass Box Door With Combination
    Rare Vintage Small USPS Post Office...
    $22
    VINTAGE PAIR (2) Of POST OFFICE DOORS AND FRAME 50'S-60'S
    VINTAGE PAIR (2) Of POST OFFICE DOO...
    $28
    Antique U S Post Office Box Door Bank With Brass Slot-Walnut
    Antique U S Post Office Box Door Ba...
    $64
    Antique Brass Post Office Lock With Keys (1-4 Keys)
    Antique Brass Post Office Lock With...
    $26
    logo
    Rare Vintage Small USPS Post Office Brass Box Door With Combination
    Rare Vintage Small USPS Post Office...
    $22
    See all

    Want to post a comment?

    Create an account or login in order to post a comment.