Wassama Village Marker

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Ahwahnee in Madera County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Wassama Village

By Michael Kindig, May 22, 2011

1. Wassama Village Marker

Inscription. The village of Wassama (leaves falling) is the site of the last above ground southern Miwok Roundhouse built in 1903. Religious ceremonies, dancing and gambling took place on the site until 1937. Southern Miwok dances including the 1870 Ghost Dance, are known to have been performed in the roundhouse. The village also contains a cemetery, cremation site and mourning area. Originally the Miwok practiced cremation, but this was later discouraged by Spanish Padres and ground burial was encouraged.

Erected 1986 by Grub Gulch Chapter No. 41-49, E Clampus Vitus.

Marker series. This marker is included in the E Clampus Vitus marker series.

Location. 37° 22.452′ N, 119° 43.362′ W. Marker is in Ahwahnee, California, in Madera County. Marker is on Round House Road north of Golden Chain Highway (California Highway 49), on the right when traveling east. Click for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 42783 Round House Road, Ahwahnee CA 93601, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, as the crow flies. Wassama Roundhouse (approx. 0.4 miles away); Grub Gulch (approx. 4.4 miles away); Little Church on the Hill (approx. 4.8 miles away); Yosemite Stage Route (approx. 4.9 miles away); Giant Sequoia Cutting (approx. 5 miles away); Old French Trail (approx. 5.2 miles away); Fresno Flats Townsite (approx. 5.2 miles away); William Sell Jr. Memorial Bridge (approx. 5.4 miles away).

By Michael Kindig, May 22, 2011

2. Wassama Village Marker

Wassama Roundhouse Photo, Click for full size

By Michael Kindig, May 22, 2011

3. Wassama Roundhouse

By Michael Kindig, May 22, 2011

4. Wassama Roundhouse

Credits. This page originally submitted on January 13, 2012, by Michael Kindig of Long Beach, California. This page has been viewed 156 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 13, 2012, by Michael Kindig of Long Beach, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.