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84-476: The Modoc National Forest protects parts of Modoc (82.9% of acreage), Lassen (9.4%), and Siskiyou (7.7%) counties. Most of the forest was covered by immense lava flows occurring over the last 500,000 years. The eastern part of the forest east of Alturas contains the Warner Mountains . The Warner Mountains drop steeply on the eastern slopes, whereas the western flank has a more gentle topography. Due to

168-489: A Japanese American internment camp. Tule Lake War Relocation Center was the site of temporary exile for thousands of Japanese-American citizens, who lost most of their businesses and properties where they had formerly lived in coastal areas. A historical marker marks the site along California State Route 139 in Newell. Tule Lake was the largest of the "segregation camps." On November 8, 2005, Senator Dianne Feinstein called for

252-505: A bowstring and runs away to fast and bathe in a lake or spring. While he is gone, his father prays for the mountains and the Deer Woman to watch over the boy. In the morning, he returns, lighting fires during his trip home and eats outside the home and then runs away again. He stays several nights away, lighting fires, piling up stones and drinking through a reed so that his teeth would not come into contact with water. If he sees an animal on

336-425: A buoy ; when a fish was captured the buoy would move. The seine, talámámchi , was six to feet in depth and extended across the stream from one side to the other in calm water. Stones were used to sink the lower edge, and buoys were used on the upper edge. The fisherman would sit in a canoe at one bank, and a pulley was attached to the opposite shore. When the net was tugged upon by the fish, the fisherman would haul in

420-428: A seine . The three dip nets were shaped like bags. One type, called taláka'yi , was suspended on the prongs of a forked pole, and was used from a canoe, land, or from wading and was used for catching suckers, trout and pike . Another dip net, a tamichi , was used only for fishing suckers. The tamichi was four to five feet deep and wide when closed. The mesh at the lower edge of the bags opening are threaded along

504-442: A covering made of a mix of bark, grass and tule. In marriage, the bridegroom lived in the bride's home briefly, hunting and working for the bride's relatives. Eventually she would move with him to his family, in what is known as a patrilocal pattern. They have a patrilineal society, with inheritance and descent passed through the paternal line. The traditional chiefdom was handed down to the eldest son. When children were born,

588-412: A down-stream angle; almost meeting mid-river. They were connected by a short section of wall made by lashing horizontal poles close together across the gap. This was the lowest point in the created dam, and water would pour over carrying the fish into the basket on the other side of the gap. Salmon would be caught by spear, seine, or in nets that hung above water falls or dams. Due to the dry nature of

672-465: A food source. Sprouts were gathered in early spring and then cooked or eaten raw. Fruit bearing trees were also a source of nutrition, including the Oregon grape , Oregon plum , Pacific yew , and Whiteleaf manzanita . Other plants harvested annually included camas , in addition to several species of seed bearing grasses, Indian potatoes and lilies . These bulbs and seeds were preserved and stored for use in

756-503: A household in the county was $ 27,522, and the median income for a family was $ 35,978. Males had a median income of $ 30,538 versus $ 23,438 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 17,285. About 16.4% of families and 21.5% of the population were below the poverty line , including 29.7% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over. Modoc County has the lowest median household income of any county in California. In 2005,

840-407: A long wooden shaft with a double-pointed bone head with a socket in which the base of the shaft was installed. A line was fastened to the spear point which was then held by the spearsman for control. Hemp was also used to make cords to make fishing nets and rawhide was used for fishing weirs. The Achomawi made five types of fishing nets, three of them were dip nets , one a gill net and the fifth

924-547: A more densely forested mountain zone, while the upper Pit River bands had a drier sage brush and juniper zone. Their housing, food sources, and seasonal movements therefore also varied. In the summer, the Achomawi band, and other upper Pit River bands usually lived in cone-shaped homes covered in tule -mat and spent time under shade or behind windbreaks of brush or mats. In the winter, larger houses were built. Partially underground, these winter homes had wooden frames which supported

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1008-442: A noose stretched across streams. Rabbits would be driven into nets. A variety of foodstuffs was gathered by the Achomawi people throughout the year. Acorns were a staple for Achomawi and other California native societies. Due to a scarcity of oak trees in the Achomawi territories these nuts were largely procured from neighboring cultures. Tule was utilized by the Achomawi in creating twine, mats and shoes; in addition to being

1092-449: A noticeably flatter design than those used by the Yurok and other California tribes. Body armor would be made of hard elk or bear hide with a waistcoat of thin sticks wrapped together. The Achomawi follow in the tradition of other California tribes, with their skills in basketry. Baskets are made of willow and are colored with vegetable dyes . Their basketry is twined, and compared to

1176-506: A population of 9,686. The racial makeup of Modoc County was 8,084 (83.5%) White , 82 (0.8%) African American , 370 (3.8%) Native American , 78 (0.8%) Asian , 21 (0.2%) Pacific Islander , 680 (7.0%) from other races , and 371 (3.8%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1,342 persons (13.9%). Federally, Modoc County is in California's 1st congressional district , represented by Republican Doug LaMalfa . In

1260-761: A possible northern group of the proposed Hokan phylum with Yana , the Shastan languages , Chimariko , Karuk , Washo , and the Pomo languages . Each of the nine tribes in the "Achomawi" language group had defined separate territories up and down the banks of the Pit River (which they called "Achoma"). Within their respective territories, each band had several villages, which were apparently composed of extended family members, and had about 20-60 inhabitants per village. The bands were organized by having one central village with smaller satellite villages. The lower Pit River bands existed in

1344-409: A stick which is then placed in the water to catch the fish. The fisherman would wade in the water while moving the net while women and children would wade pushing the fish towards the fisherman. When the fish enter the net, the fisherman releases the bag which then closes. The third bag, the lipake , was small with an oval hoop sewn into the opening. The fisherman would dive into the water and would hold

1428-569: A strong U.S. military presence to the area, as well. In 1871 community members participated in the first Ghost Dance movement, and other future religious revitalization movements after moving to a reservation . In 1921, a smallpox epidemic took its toll on the Achomawi's. The majority of Achomawi people are enrolled in the federally recognized Pit River Tribe . The tribe consists of several autonomous bands - nine Achomawi and two (perhaps three) Atsugewi bands: Upriver Achomawi (Eastern Achomawi) Downriver Achomawi (Western Achomawi) and

1512-534: Is federal land . Several federal agencies, including the United States Forest Service , Bureau of Land Management , National Park Service , Bureau of Indian Affairs , and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service , have employees assigned to the area, and their operations are a significant part of its economy and services. The county's official slogans include "The last best place" and "Where

1596-411: Is a county located in the far northeast corner of the U.S. state of California . Its population is 8,700 as of the 2020 census, down from 9,686 from the 2010 census. This makes it California's third-least-populous county. The county seat and only incorporated city is Alturas . Previous County seats include Lake City and Centerville . The county borders Nevada and Oregon . Much of Modoc County

1680-520: Is in Reno . The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Modoc County. † county seat 41°36′N 120°43′W  /  41.60°N 120.72°W  / 41.60; -120.72 Achomawi Achomawi (also Achumawi , Ajumawi and Ahjumawi ) are the northerly nine (out of eleven) bands of the Pit River tribe of Palaihnihan Native Americans who live in what

1764-524: Is land, with 286 square miles (740 km ) (6.8%) water. There are 2.25 persons per square mile, making Modoc one of the least-populated counties in the state of California. In terms of its county lines, Modoc is one of the only nearly- rectangular counties in California; a slight deviation occurs around the Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge . Geologically , Modoc County is quite unique. The area's tumultuous seismic past has set

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1848-587: Is now northeastern California in the United States . These 5 autonomous bands (also called "tribelets") of the Pit River Indians historically spoke slightly different dialects of one common language, and the other two bands spoke dialects of a related language, called Atsugewi . The name "Achomawi" means river people and properly applies to the band which historically inhabited the Fall River Valley and

1932-467: Is the massive Glass Mountain , another ancient lava flow . The southwestern quadrant of the county is a unique ecosystem of isolated hardwoods (oaks) and volcanic mountains with intermountain river valleys. The northern half of the county is primarily the Modoc Plateau , a 1-mile-high (1.6 km) expanse of lava flows, cinder cones , Juniper flats, pine forests and seasonal lakes , including

2016-407: The qaqu as a bundle of feathers which were believed to grow in rural places, rooted in the earth, and which, when secured, dripped of blood constantly. It was used as an oracle to locate pains in the body. Quartz crystal was also revered within the community and was obtained by diving into a waterfall. In the pool in the waterfall the diver would find a spirit (like a mermaid ) who would lead

2100-706: The Oregon Trail and south to trails leading into California's central valley. Early settlers included the Dorris, Belli, Essex, Scherer, Trumbo, Flournoy, Polander, Rice and Campbell families. Modoc County was formed when Governor Newton Booth signed an Act of the California Legislature on February 17, 1874, after residents of the Surprise Valley region lobbied for the creation of a new county from eastern Siskiyou County land. The county residents considered naming

2184-620: The Paiute ( aapʰúy - ″stranger″) were transported by the Achomawi. Eventually they would also trade for horses with the Modoc. The Achomawi used beads for money, specifically dentalia . Contact between the Achomawi and Atsugewi speakers with the Klamath ( ál ámmí - ″Klamath people″) and Modoc ( lutw̓áámíʼ / lútʰám - ″Modoc people″) to the north largely wasn't documented. Despite this Garth found it probable that there were extensive interactions between

2268-575: The Paiute also lived in the area. To the north were the Klamath in present-day Oregon. The first European explorers to visit Modoc County were the American John C. Frémont and his traveling party (including Kit Carson ) in 1846, who had departed from Sutter's Fort near the confluence of the American and Sacramento Rivers (where Sacramento stands today). The northern boundary of California, and eventually Modoc County, had been established as

2352-558: The U.S. Forest Service , and on March 4, 1907, they became National Forests. On July 1, 1908 Warner Mountains National Forest was added to Modoc. The South Warner Wilderness lies within the forest. Forest headquarters are located in Alturas, California . There are local ranger district offices located in Adin , Alturas , Cedarville , and Tulelake . Modoc County, California Modoc County ( / ˈ m oʊ d ɒ k / )

2436-1094: The alkaline waters of Goose Lake . Nearly 1 million acres (4,000 km ) of the Modoc National Forest lie on the plateau between Medicine Lake, to the west, and the Warner Mountains , to the east. A great diversity of plants are found in Modoc County. As it is situated within the biodiverse California Floristic Province , many native trees are found in the county, including Garry oak ( Quercus garryana ) and Washoe pine ( Pinus washoensis ). Pinus jeffreyi and P. ponderosa (the Jeffrey and ponderosa pines, respectively) are also found in substantial groves. The rich plant life supports substantial populations of mule deer ( Odocoileus hemionus ), Rocky Mountain elk ( Cervus canadensis ) and pronghorn ( Antilocapra americana ), as well as several herds of wild horses ( Equus ferus ). Clear Lake National Wildlife Refuge and Long Bell State Game Refuge are located on

2520-528: The state legislature Modoc is in the 1st Senate District , represented by Republican Brian Dahle , and the 1st Assembly District , represented by Republican Megan Dahle . For much of the 20th century, Modoc County was a bellwether county for statewide elections in California, voting for the statewide winner in every election between 1912 and 1990 with the exception of Jerry Brown 's 2 statewide victories (the county's dislike of Brown attributable to his environmental policies negatively affecting

2604-431: The 120th meridian was surveyed in 1863. After Nevada was granted statehood in 1864, the region of current Modoc County was placed within jurisdiction of Shasta County, California , and Siskiyou County was, in turn, generated from Shasta County in 1852. Increasing traffic on the emigrant trail, unprovoked militia raids on innocent Modoc, and a cycle of retaliatory raids increased a cycle of violence between settlers and

Modoc National Forest - Misplaced Pages Continue

2688-564: The 42nd parallel since the time of Mexican possession. In the absence of a reliable survey of the 120th meridian, the eastern boundary of northern California was a subject of contention before Modoc County formed. The Territory of Utah requested jurisdiction to the summit of the Sierra Nevada . At the time, the Warner Mountains were believed to be a part of the Sierra Nevada, so this would have included Surprise Valley , but California denied

2772-399: The Achomawi's land, deer was not always abundant, hence their unique way of hunting deer compared to other Californian Natives America. A deep pit would be dug along a deer trail, covered with brush, the trail restored including adding deer tracks using a hoof, and all dirt and human evidence taken away. The settlers' cattle would also fall in these pits, so much so that the settlers convinced

2856-725: The Modoc. From strong defensive positions in the lava tubes , 52 Modoc warriors held off hundreds of US Army forces, who called in artillery to help. Peace talks in 1873 stalled when the Modoc wanted their own reservation in California. Warriors urged killing the peace commissioners, thinking the Americans would then leave, and Captain Jack and others shot and killed General Edward Canby and Rev. Eleazer Thomas, as well as wounding others. More Army troops were called in to lay siege to Captain Jack's Stronghold. Dissension arose, and some Modoc surrendered. Finally, most were captured, and those responsible for

2940-465: The Pit River from the south end of Big Valley Mountains, westerly to Pit River Falls. The nine bands of Achumawi lived on both sides of the Pit River from its origin at Goose Lake to Montgomery Creek, and the two bands of Atsugewi lived south of the Pit River on creeks tributary to it in the Hat Creek valley and Dixie Valley. Achomawi speaking territories reached from Big Bend to Goose Lake . This land

3024-519: The Proposition with 75.4% of the vote. In the 2021 California gubernatorial recall election , Modoc and neighboring Lassen County voted the most strongly in favor of recalling Newsom of any counties in the state. On September 24, 2013, the Modoc County Board of Supervisors voted 4–0 in favor of secession from California to form a proposed state named Jefferson . The following table includes

3108-548: The Sacramento sucker. Ten fish traps were found and are on display at the Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park . Made of stone, the traps consisted of a large outer wall that connects two points of land on the lake. The wall was built to the water level out of lava stones . A central opening in the wall, which measured between 20-50 centimeters, was supplied to allow the suckers to enter the traps. The opening pulls in

3192-497: The West still lives". Prior to the arrival of Europeans in the region, varying cultures of Native Americans inhabited the county for thousands of years. At the time of European encounter, the Modoc people lived in what is now northern California, near Lost River and Tule Lake . The county was named after them. The Achomawi (or Pit River Indians, for which the Pit River is named), and

3276-498: The Wintun. The nearby Shasta ( sástayci / sastííci - ″Shasta people″) and Yana ( tʰísayci - ″Yana people″) were "powerful enemies" that would on occasion attack Madesi settlements. In 1828 fur trappers and traders visited Achomawi land. It wasn't until the 1840s and the California gold rush when outsiders began to arrive in large numbers and taking land and disturbing the Achomawi lifeways. The Rogue River Wars in 1855-56 brought

3360-595: The assassinations were tried and executed. More than 150 Modoc were transported to Indian Territory as prisoners of war. The area has since been designated the Lava Beds National Monument . Settlement of the county began in earnest in the 1870s, with the timber, gold, agriculture, and railroad industries bringing most of the settlers into the area. The county was a crossroads for the Lassen Applegate Trail , which brought settlers north from Nevada to

3444-459: The baskets artwork and materials when used, helpful for when boiling or holding water. Anthropologist Alfred Kroeber believed that by 1925 the Achomawi were no longer cooking in baskets, and were merely making them for sale and trade. The Achomawi made simple dugout canoes of pine or cedar . Longer, thinner and less detailed than the Yurok redwood boats and Modoc canoes, the canoes were produced for transportation and hunting. Relations with

Modoc National Forest - Misplaced Pages Continue

3528-441: The body, and the dead's house was born. There were no special ceremonies or rituals. When women became widows , they would crop their hair and rub pitch into the stubble and on her face. A widow would also wear a necklace with lumps of pitch around her neck. These items were worn for about three years. After a widow's hair grew to reach her upper arm, she was permitted to marry her dead husband's brother. For leisure, women within

3612-600: The bottom of the Pit River watershed that flows through the county. The Pit River's northern and southern forks come together just south of Alturas; the river collects hundreds of other small creeks on its trajectory south towards Shasta Lake , where it joins the Sacramento River and ultimately drains into San Francisco Bay . The eastern edge of the county is dominated by the Warner Mountains. The Pit River originates in this mountain range. Hundreds of alpine lakes dot

3696-423: The bottom of the stream and stones, logs, stumps and dirt was piled up against the stakes so that the water would be dammed and have to pour over the weir and into a trap on the other side. Another weir, the tafsifschi , was used in a larger stream to catch allis ( steelhead trout ) when they would return to sea in the fall. The tafsifschi consisted of two fence sections which extended from opposite river banks at

3780-546: The camp to be designated a National Historic Landmark . In December 2008 President George W. Bush designated it one of nine sites to be part of the new World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument , now the Tule Lake National Monument . According to the U.S. Census Bureau , Modoc County spans a total area of 4,203 square miles (10,890 km ), of which 3,918 square miles (10,150 km )

3864-518: The community believed that too much salt caused sore eyes. Fishing was a major source of food supply for the Achomawi. The Sacramento sucker was described as being of "paramount importance" to the Achomawi. Salmon was scarce for eastern groups, while those in the lower Pit River found it in abundance. The salmon was sun dried, lightly roasted or smoked, and then stored in large bark covered baskets in slabs or in crumbled pieces. Fishermen used nets, baskets and spears to fish, and fish traps to catch

3948-436: The community would play a double ball game. The Achomawi also built and used sweat lodges . Achomawi men wore buckskin with coats and shirts. A deerskin with a hole cut out in the middle was put over the heads after the sides were sewn together to provide armholes, and then it would be belted. Buckskin leggings with fringe were rare but occasionally worn by Achomawi. Moccasins of twined tule and stuffed with grass were

4032-510: The county seat when Modoc County formed that year, although both Adin and Cedarville were larger towns. In 1876, it was renamed Alturas, Spanish for "The Heights". The 1880 census showed a population of 148. Settlement continued for the next 20 years, until the city was officially incorporated on September 16, 1901 (the county's only incorporated city). During World War II , the US government developed several thousand acres just south of Newell as

4116-640: The county's logging industry). Recently, though, Modoc County has trended Republican, becoming one of the most conservative counties in the state. On November 4, 2008, Modoc County delivered the most lopsided vote in favor of John McCain of any county in California, with 67.4% of voters opting for the Republican. The county also voted 74.2% in favor of Proposition 8 which amended the California Constitution to ban same-sex marriages; only Kern and Tulare counties voted in higher proportion, both opting for

4200-409: The county. The population density was 2 people per square mile (0.77 people/km ). There were 4,807 housing units at an average density of 1 units per square mile (0.39 units/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 85.9% White , 0.7% Black or African American , 4.2% American Indian , 0.6% Asian , 0.1% Pacific Islander , 5.7% from other races , and 2.8% from two or more races. 11.5% of

4284-955: The cultures prior to the adoption of horses by the Northerners. Leslie Spier concluded that the Klamath and their Modoc relatives gained horses in the 1820s. Achomawi settlements became victim to slave raids by Modoc and Klamath horsemen. In particular the residents around Goose Lake , the Hewisedawi, were used by the Goose Lake Modoc ( lámmááw̓i - ″Goose Lake Modoc″) "as a source of supply of slaves ( cah̓h̓úm - slave; lit. ″dog″- later also meaning ″horse″) who might be traded for other goods." Captured people would be sold into slavery at an intertribal slave market at The Dalles in present-day Oregon. The Madesi band, Achomawi residents around modern Big Bend , had particularly cordial relationships with

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4368-440: The diver to a cave where the crystals grew. A giant moth cocoon , which symbolized the "heart of the world", was another fetish, and harder to obtain. A girl would begin her puberty ritual by having her ears pierced by her father or another relative. She would then be picked up, dropped, and then hit with an old basket, before running away. During this part, her father would pray to the mountains for her. The girl would return in

4452-416: The elevation and precipitation differences, the forests hosts a large number of plant species . The western side of the brushy foothills consist mostly of bitterbrush and curl-leaf mahogany . As elevation increases, forests of ponderosa pine , white and red firs , incense cedar , and aspen give way to lodgepole and western white pines sprinkle towards the summit. Some 43,400 acres (176 km) of

4536-435: The evening with a load of wood, another symbol of women's roles within the community, like the basket. She would then build a fire in front of her house and dance around it throughout the night, with relatives participating; around the fire or inside the house. Music would accompany the dance, made by a deer hoof rattle . During the ritual time, she would have herbs stuffed up her nose to avoid smelling venison being cooked. In

4620-519: The first night in the lake or spring or dream of an animal; that animal would become his personal protector. If the boy has a vision like this, he will become a shaman. In general Achomawi held a significantly negative view of actual warfare, finding it be an undesirable outcome. Joining in a battle or killing an enemy was believed to give a particular contamination. Only through "a rigorous program of purification" could an individual remove it. Sinew -backed bows were their primary weapon. These bows had

4704-449: The float line with the pulley to remove the catch. Minnows were also caught for drying. They were captured with a fish trap made of willow rods and pine root weft . Cylindrical in shape, the mouth of the trap had splints converging inwards, which would prevent the scape of the fish, were controlled by two weirs . A weir, called tatápi , was placed in shallow streams to capture trout, pike and suckers. A row of stakes were placed in

4788-554: The forest have been identified as old growth , with lodgepole pine, ponderosa pine, white fir, incense cedar, and red fir being common constituents. Modoc National Forest was established as the Modoc Forest Reserve on November 29, 1904, by the United States General Land Office . It was named for the Modoc people who traditionally had their territory in this area. In 1905 federal forests were transferred to

4872-596: The median home price reached $ 100,000 for the first time ever, over a 40% increase since 2000. Much of this can be traced to an influx of residents from other parts of the state, who find the housing bargains attractive. Some of these are retirees who have sold their houses for large profits in other parts of the state, using the proceeds to live on, while others are remote workers . This sudden rise in housing prices become unaffordable for locals, who find themselves unable to purchase homes given their limited incomes. The 2010 United States Census reported that Modoc County had

4956-400: The morning, she would be picked up and dropped again, and she would run off with the deer hoof rattle. This repeated for five days and nights. On the fifth night, she would return from her run to be sprinkled with fir leaves and bathed, completing the ritual. Boys’ puberty rites were similar to the girls ritual but adds shamanistic elements. The boys ears are pierced, and then he is hit with

5040-527: The most common type of footwear. Deerskin moccasins were worn during dry weather. An apron like kilt was also seen within communities, similar to the breechcloth of Eastern communities. Women wore short gowns or tops similar to the men, along with a deerskin skirt or a fringed apron. Buckskin moccasins and a basket cap were also standard among women. Both men and women's clothing might be decorated with porcupine quill embroidery . Both men and women did have tattoos . Women would have three lines tattooed under

5124-429: The mouth and perhaps a few lines on the cheek. Men had septum piercings with dentalium shell or other jewelry. The Achomawi fished, hunted and gathered from around the area. Deer , wildfowl , bass , pike , trout , and catfish were caught. Wild plant foods, herbs, eggs, insects and larvae were also gathered. The only meat avoided by the Achomawi was the domestic dog and salt was used in extreme moderation, as

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5208-585: The nearby Atsugewi speakers were traditionally favorable for the majority of Achomawi. Yet the close proximity between the Illmawi band of Achomawi and the Atsugewi inhabitants of Hat Creek ( haatiiw̓iw ), the Atsuge ( haatííw̓iwí - ″Hat Creek People″, own name: atuwanúúci ), were terse. These bad feelings arose in part from particular Atsuge trespassing upon Illmawi territory while traveling through to collect obsidian from

5292-508: The nearby Glass Mountain ( sáttít - ″flint place″, also name for Medicine Lake). In their networks with neighboring cultures Achomawi exchanged their furs, basketry, steatite , rabbit-skin blankets, food and acorn in return for goods such as epos root , clam beads, obsidian and other goods. Through these commercial dealings goods from the Wintun ( iqpiimí - ″Wintun people″, númláákiname - Nomlaki (Central Wintu people) ), Modoc and possibly

5376-406: The net in one hand while driving the suckers in with his free hand. Upon succeeding at capturing the fish, the fisherman would then flip the hoop over the net to close it for safe capture. The other two nets were generally used for capturing trout and pike. The gill net, called tuwátifshi , was 40 to 60 feet long and was weighted with stones to sink it. One end was fasted to a tree and the other to

5460-422: The newly formed county after Canby, whom the Modoc had killed the previous year in an ambush at peace talks. The name Summit was also considered, but the populace eventually settled on Modoc. The war was over and 153 of Captain Jack's band had been transported to Indian Territory as prisoners. The Dorris Bridge post office opened in 1871 and was renamed Dorrisville in 1874. Due to its central location, it became

5544-859: The number of incidents reported and the rate per 1,000 persons for each type of offense: Additionally, the eastern Modoc County communities of Eagleville , Cedarville , Lake City , and Fort Bidwell are connected via Surprise Valley Road, which runs from the southern county line to the Oregon border. The Sage Stage is a dial-a-ride service providing trips within Modoc County. It also provides service to Klamath Falls, Oregon and Reno, Nevada , as well as connections to and from Reno International Airport , outside of Door D. There are general aviation airports near Alturas ( Alturas Municipal Airport and California Pines Airport ). Other airports include Cedarville Airport , Eagleville Airport , Fort Bidwell Airport , and Tulelake Municipal Airport . The closest major airport

5628-506: The parents were put into seclusion and had food restrictions while waiting for their baby's umbilical cord to fall off. If twins were born, one of them was killed at birth. The Achomawi buried their dead in a flexed position, on the side, facing east; at times they were placed in woven baskets at burial. Those who died outside the community were cremated , and their ashes were brought back for burial among their people. The dead's belongings and relatives' offerings were buried or burned with

5712-503: The people to stop this practice. The pits were most numerous near the river because the deer came down to drink and so the river is named for these trapping pits. Deer hunting was always preceded by ritual. Rituals also existed that did not involve the hunting process but involved the avoidance of deer meat. Adolescent girls would stuff their nostrils with fragrant herbs to avoid smelling venison being cooked while going through their maturity ceremony. Waterfowl, like ducks, were snared by

5796-540: The plateau, as well. The Lost River , which later drains into the Klamath River basin, drains the northern part of the plateau; southern watersheds either collect in basin reservoirs or flow into the Big Sage Reservoir , in the center of the county (which later flows into the Pit River ). Below the rim of the plateau, in the extreme southwest corner of the county, are Big Valley and Warm Springs Valley, which form

5880-559: The population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. The largest ethnicity/ancestry groups in Modoc county include: 15% English , 14% Irish and 13% German of whom 90.4% spoke English and 8.8% Spanish as their first language. There were 3,784 households, out of which 29.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.6% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.6% were non-families. 28.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.7% had someone living alone who

5964-542: The range, all of which are fed by snowmelt and natural springs. East of the Warner Range is Surprise Valley and the western edge of the Great Basin . Hot springs and lava caves are unique to Modoc County. There is potential for some geothermal energy resources in the county, though the viability is highly variable. As of the census of 2000, there were 9,449 people, 3,784 households, and 2,550 families residing in

6048-571: The request. In 1856, the residents of Honey Lake Valley reckoned the 120th meridian to be west of their valley, placing them in Utah territory, and attempted to secede and form a territory they called Nataqua . Nataqua would have included Modoc County. In 1858, the Territory of Nevada , with its capital now in Carson City, seceded from Utah, and assumed jurisdiction to the summit of the Sierra Nevada until

6132-449: The river to encourage fish populations. Spiritual presences were identified with mountain peaks, certain springs, and other sacred places. Achomawi shamans maintained the health of the community, serving as doctors. Shamans would focus on "pains" which were physical and spiritual. These pains were believed to have been put on people by other, hostile shamans. After curing the pain, the shaman would then swallow it. Both men and women held

6216-449: The role of shaman. A shaman was said to have a fetish called kaku by Kroeber or qaqu by Dixon. Kroeber relied upon Dixon's work in this part of California. (The letter q was supposed to represent a velar spirant x , as in Bach , in the system generally used at that time for writing indigenous American languages. The Achumawi Dictionary does not have this word.) Dixon described

6300-511: The same figure. T. R. Garth estimated the Atsugewi population at a maximum of 900. Edward S. Curtis , a photographer and author in the 1920s, gave an estimate of there being 240 Atsugewi and 985 Achomawi in 1910. As of 2000, the Achomawi population is estimated at 1,500. The Achomawi language and the Atsugewi language are classified together as the Palaihnihan languages , and more broadly in

6384-509: The spring water outflow that is strong enough to carry in the suckers. To entrap the fish, a log, dip net or a canoe prow , and then they were speared. The stones are described as labyrinths due to the many interior channels and pools they form. Aside from traps, other tools were made and used by the community for fishing blue rose is the first time to see, including fish hooks and spear points made of bone and horn. Achomawi fish hooks were made of deer bone, and fishing spears consisted of

6468-464: The stage for a productive, diverse regional ecology today; a rich soil composition, largely created by ancient volcanoes dispersing vast amounts of minerals , stands out from the typically bland, clay-heavy terrain common in the American west. To the northwest of the county lies Medicine Lake —the largest shield volcano on the U.S. West Coast —and Lava Beds National Monument . In west Modoc County

6552-587: The tribes in the area. In 1864, the Klamath, Modoc and Yahooskin band of the Shoshone signed a treaty ceding lands in both Oregon and California, and the tribes were colocated on the Klamath Reservation. Harassed by the Klamath, traditional competitors, a band of Modoc led by Captain Jack returned to California and the Tule Lake area. The Modoc War or Lava Beds War of 1872-73 brought nationwide attention to

6636-416: The two (perhaps three?) Atsugewi bands that since time immemorial have resided in the area known as the 100-mile (160 km) square, located in parts of Shasta , Siskiyou , Modoc , and Lassen counties in the state of California. There is a Housing Authority that through Government grants has developed community housing projects, such as housing for low income families and elders. The Tribe operates

6720-481: The warp and pine root is used for the weft. In the caps, only tule fiber is used. A burden basket was also made by the Achomawi, as was a mesh beater which would be used to harvest seeds into the burden baskets, made of willow or a mix of willow and pine root. Most baskets are covered in a light white overlay of xerophyllum tenax , though it is believed that those covered in xerophyllum tenax are for trade and sale only, not for daily use. The xerophyllum tenax protects

6804-411: The winter months in addition for occasional use in trade. Adolescent boys sought guardian spirits called tinihowi and both genders experienced puberty ceremonies . A victory dance was also held in the community, which involved the toting of a head of the enemy with women participating in the celebration. Elder men would fast to increase the run of fish and women and children would eat out of sight of

6888-509: The work of the Hupa and Yurok are described as being softer, larger, and with designs that lack the focus on one horizontal band. The shapes are similar to those made by the Modoc and have slightly rounded bottoms and sides, wide openings and shallow depth. Baskets sizes and shapes depend on the intended use. Some baskets are created for women to wear as caps, some for cooking on hot stones, holding semi-liquid food or water. Willow rods are used for

6972-450: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.91. In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.6% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 23.3% from 25 to 44, 27.7% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.7 males. The median income for

7056-482: Was also home to the closely related Atsugewi peoples. Descendants of both cultures later were forcibly relocated onto the Pit River Reservation . Estimates for the pre-contact populations of most native groups in California have varied substantially. Alfred L. Kroeber estimated the combined 1770 population of the Achomawi as 3,000 and the Atsugewi as 300. A more detailed analysis by Fred B. Kniffen arrived at

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