Near Novato in Marin County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Try-Pot

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 9, 2022

1. Try-Pot Marker

Inscription. Originally manufactured for use on whaling ships, this large, cast-iron try-pot was an important part of Camilo Ynitia's rancho operations in the early 1800's.

Ynitia, the last Coast Miwok hoipu or leader at Olompali, raised cattle on his 8,800 acre land grant, not for meat, but for their hides and the tallow which he rendered from this large kettle. A major export enterprise for Ynitia, the hides and tallow were shipped to Mexico and then exported to the East Coast for further processing and manufacture into such consumer products as candles and leather goods.

The Burdell family, ranch owners after Camilo Ynitia, put the try-pot to a gentler use as a watering basin for horses.

Erected by California State Parks.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Industry & Commerce.

Location. 38° 9.124′ N, 122° 34.27′ W. Marker is near Novato, California, in Marin County. It can be reached from Redwood Highway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Novato CA 94945, United States of

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America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area,

in the North Coast,

and specifically on the Coast 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: The Chosen Family (within shouting distance of this marker); Burdell Mansion (within shouting distance of this marker); Cook House (within shouting distance of this marker); Burdell Frame House (within shouting distance of this marker); Camilo Ynitia’s Adobe (within shouting distance of this marker); Olompali State Historic Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Setting for a Colorful Past (within shouting distance of this marker); Galen and Mary Burdell (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Novato.

More about this marker. The marker

Try-Pot Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 9, 2022

2. Try-Pot Marker - wide view

Astute observers may note that there doesn't seem to be a "try-pot" or anything of the sort anywhere in the vicinity of the marker.

is located in Olompali State Historic Park, a bit downslope from the visitor center, and a bit south of former Burdell Mansion.

Also see . . . Try pot (Wikipedia).

"A try pot is a large pot used to remove and render the oil from blubber obtained from cetaceans (whales and dolphins) and pinnipeds (seals), and also to extract oil from penguins...."

(Submitted on March 24, 2022.)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 24, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 24, 2022, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 295 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 24, 2022, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.