Carpinteria in Santa Barbara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

La Carpinteria

1769

Photographed by Michael Kindig, April 11, 2009

1. La Carpinteria Marker

Inscription. The Chumash Indian Village of "Mishopshnow," discovered by Juan Rodriquez Cabrillo, August 14, 1542, was located one-fourth mile southwest of here. Fray Juan Crespi of the Gaspar de Portola expedition named it "San Roque," August 17, 1769. Portola's soldiers, observing the Indians building wooden canoes, called the village, "La Carpinteria" — The Carpenter Shop.

Erected by County of Santa Barbara in cooperation with the California State Park Commission. (Marker Number 535.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Hispanic Americans • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the Portolá Expedition series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1542.

Location. 34° 23.545′ N, 119° 30.646′ W. Marker is in Carpinteria, California, in Santa Barbara County. It is at the intersection of Carpinteria Avenue and Concha Loma Drive, on the right when traveling east on Carpinteria Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5565 Carpinteria Avenue, Carpinteria CA 93013, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on California’s Central Coast,

specifically on the Coast Ranges,

and specifically in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Carpinteria Aviation History (approx. 0.2 miles away); Portolá Sycamore

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

(approx. 0.4 miles away); Wardholme Torrey Pine (approx. half a mile away); Carpinteria’s Lima Bean History (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named La Carpinteria (approx. half a mile away); Mills Corner (approx. 0.6 miles away); “World’s Safest Beach” (approx. 0.6 miles away); La Viña Grande (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Carpinteria.

More about this marker. This is one of two identical markers at two different locations in town. They were originally located on Highway 101 at Casitas Pass Road, with one on the northbound side and one on the southbound side. One-fourth mile southwest of there is the Portolá Sycamore marker, the location of The Carpenter Shop.

One-third mile down Concha Loma Drive in the residential neighborhood is a midden mound of sea shells created by the local Chumash Indians who used the site as their kitchen for thousands of years. The mound is covered with avocado trees, and broken sea shells can be seen on the curb along Concha Loma, which is Spanish for Seashell Mound.

Related markers.

Photographed by Michael Kindig, April 11, 2009

2. La Carpinteria Marker

Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. — The naming of Carpinteria.

Photographed by Craig Baker, March 26, 2020

3. La Carpinteria Marker

La Carpinteria Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, March 26, 2020

4. La Carpinteria Sign

On Casitas Pass Road near Highway 101.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 15, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 16, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. This page has been viewed 1,787 times since then and 81 times this year. Last updated on March 28, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 16, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. 3, 4. submitted on March 28, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.