Historic Kawaiisu Preserve opens in Bear Valley Springs

Imagine 3,000 years ago, during the warmer months, a gathering of Kawaiisu families (or Nüwa people, as they call themselves) on a rocky mountaintop shaded by large oaks overlooking a beautiful valley. The women are using grinding stones to make meal from the plentiful acorns there, and the men are out hunting while children play hide and seek among the sage and rocks under the oaks. At night they sleep in huts made from willow, tule and bark, and use hot rocks from the campfire to keep warm. As winter approaches, they migrate to another warmer location – maybe the Panamint Valley – but they return here every year to harvest acorns. That scene played out for thousands of years in this area, long before it was called Bear Valley Springs, long before the first European descendent set foot on the land. Kawaiisu families congregated in sites such as this to collect the acorns that were a main staple of their diet. They were so plentiful here that they became the chief item traded with other nearby tribes, and the Kawaiisu prospered.

Fast forward to about three years ago, local resident Miles Coverdale sent an email to another local resident, Rich Turco, informing him there was a plot of land up for sale that was rich with relics of this historic past. Rich and his wife Linda promptly bought the land before anyone else could, and began looking into how they could turn it into a historic preserve that would remain in its natural state in perpetuity.

Three years of archaeological research, permitting, legal documents, brush clearing, making connections with local conservancy organizations, and that dream has come true. The Bear Valley Springs Historical Kawaiisu Preserve is finally a reality.

On Oct. 22, the site was dedicated in a ceremony attended by about 200 people, led by Linda Turco and Kawaiisu elder Luther Girado with Native American songs by Kawaiisu singer and drummer Eddie Greenflag Gallegos. The dedicaton ceremony moved to the Oaks Country Club, where attendees were given presentations by some of the key people involved in the creation of the preserve.

Rich Turco introduced the speakers, including archaeologists Dave and Tamara Whitley, who donated their research time. Dave described much about the Kawaiisu people and what their lives looked like here. Bear Valley Springs Association board member and past-president Todd Lander spoke of the significance of this site, as it has now been added as an important amenity to Bear Valley Springs. Jay Carlin, president of the Board of the Bear Valley Community Services District, spoke of the CSD's involvement in the process of converting the site into a space accessible to all BVS residents and guests.

Jon Hammond, naturalist, historian and writer, spoke in detail about the Kawaiisu's ingenuity in using raw materials for cooking, medicine, housing and how they not only survived but thrived in the local environment. And finally, Charles White, president of the Tehachapi Heritage League, described how the League provided the means for the preserve to be guaranteed as a perpetual heritage for local visitors to enjoy.

This beautiful location, marked by a small parking lot on Stirrup Way just off Jacaranda, is just a short walk up the hill from the road, with informative signs and granite benches. Other than those additions, the site has been left in its natural state – no digging for artifacts has been done so that the original character of the place would be preserved. And preserved it will be. Under the stewardship of the Tehachapi Heritage League, its integrity will be maintained for future generations to enjoy as a reminder of the rich history of Bear Valley Springs and the Kawaiisu people who lived here in centuries past.

For further information, call Kathi Chattin at the Bear Valley Springs Association at (661) 821-5537 extension 231 or the Tehachapi Heritage League at (661) 822-8152.