Since the last post I have really buckled down and worked on one particular chapter, the historical background. I broke it into several phases to include:
Mexican Ranch - 1840s
Mexican Ranchos Becomes American Homesteads
American Homesteads 1860 to 1890
Kern County Land Company 1890 to 1925
American Homesteads 1900 to 1930
Kern County Land Company 1925 to 1967
Tenneco 1967 to 1989
Post Tenneco 1968 to Present
I think the various phases of occupation of the San Emigdio Hills shows just how important archaeological work can be in that particular landscape. Not only is there numerous Native Californian sites, but several sites relating to the Mexican period of colonisation, as well as many sites for private homesteads sites. Ultimately the Kern County Land Company purchased most of the private homesteads, adding to the overall acreage of San Emigdio Ranch.
