Early Windsor's People: The Southern Pomo
The Southern Pomo have lived in parts of Sonoma and Mendocino counties, including Windsor, for thousands of years. They called the eastern part of Windsor, col·iko wi, ("at redwing field"), a reference to the existence of redwing blackbirds in the area.
dwellings
The Southern Pomo made several types of dwellings, including multi- and single-family houses, made by thatching a willow framework with tall, native bunchgrass stalks. They used earth-covered, semi-subterranean roundhouses for religious ceremonies. These structures are still used by the Pomo today.
calendar
While there was no single "Pomo Calendar,” this one represents the seasons recognized by the Makahmo Pomo group. One of several Southern Pomo groups, they had three names for different aspects of Spring and two names for Fall.
baskets
The Southern Pomo used baskets for a variety of every-day activities, such as trapping fish and birds; gathering, processing, storage of plant foods; the cradling of babies; and gifts of mortuary offerings. They used heated stones to boil food in finely-woven, watertight cooking baskets. They carefully tended plants used to make baskets, including willow, bulrush, sedge, and redbud, with specialized burning, digging, and pruning techniques.
Pomo baskets made by Windsor Pomo basket weavers sit in a Smithsonian collection in Washington D.C.
[Flap down:]
Who were these skilled artisans?
[Flap
this page online
A Southern Pomo family, circa 1890.
Erected by Town of Windsor.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Native Americans. A significant historical year for this entry is 1890.
Location. 38° 32.924′ N, 122° 48.94′ W. Marker is in Windsor, California, in Sonoma County. Marker can be reached from McClelland Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Windsor CA 95492, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Historical Events from the 20th Century (a few steps from this marker); Windsor's Historically Important Families (a few steps from this marker); Present Day Windsor (within shouting distance of this marker); East Windsor: The First Gathering Place (within shouting distance of this marker); West Windsor: The New Gathering Place (within shouting distance of this marker); Nature and Agriculture (within shouting distance of this marker); Shiloh Cemetery (approx. 1.6 miles away); Walters Ranch Hop Kiln (approx. 3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Windsor.
More about this marker. The marker is located in the southwestern portion of the Windsor Town Green.
Also see . . . Pomo (Wikipedia). (Submitted on July 27, 2020.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 27, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 213 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 27, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
