Lake Piru Recreation Area in Ventura County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Pothole Trail and Piru Creek
Photographed by Craig Baker
1. Pothole Trail and Piru Creek Marker
Cultural Resources
Pothole Trail is on the western shore of Lake Piru and was historically occupied by the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians. The word Piru comes from the Tataviam word for the tule reed plant they used for basket making; originally pronounced "pea-roo" and only later "pie-roo". Tule reeds are still common along the shores of Lake Piru.
Erected 2021 by United Water Conservation District; and U.S. Forest Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Natural Resources • Parks & Recreational Areas.
Location. 34° 30.712′ N, 118° 45.777′ W. Marker is near Piru, California, in Ventura County. It is in the Lake Piru Recreation Area. It is on Piru Canyon Road 5 miles north of the Piru Lake Entrance Gatehouse, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Piru CA 93040, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles, on Central Coast, and 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 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Piru Mansion (approx. 6.7 miles away); Portolá Expedition (approx. 6.8 miles away); St. Francis Dam Disaster (approx. 7.1 miles away); Governor Juan Alvarado
this page online
More about this marker. Lake Piru Recreation Area has a day-use fee. Some areas might be closed after a fire or flood.
Regarding Pothole Trail and Piru Creek. The area around Lake Piru was originally inhabited by the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians, in an area traditionally occupied by Ventureño Chumash, hunter-gatherers who subsisted on small game, acorns, yucca, juniper berries and sage seeds…
A descendant of the Tataviam, Juan Fustero, and his family are recognized as some of the earliest modern-day inhabitants of Piru Canyon, above what is now Santa Felicia Dam and Lake Piru. [There is a Fustero memorial plaque located 1,000 feet south of the trailhead, east of the road.]
United Water Conservation District constructed the Santa Felicia Dam in 1955 and has owned and operated it since. The dam is eligible for listing
Photographed by Craig Baker, October 26, 2024
2. Pothole Trail and Piru Creek Marker
Located at the Pothole Trailhead.
-from ExploreLakePiru.com
Also see . . . Lake Piru Recreation Area. Official website - ExploreLakePiru.com (Submitted on October 18, 2024.)
Additional keywords. Ventureño Chumash, Juan Fustero
Photographed by Craig Baker
3. Street Sign
Photographed by Craig Baker, October 26, 2024
4. Marker Detail - Fire History
“Since 2000, the vicinity of Piru Canyon has experienced multiple fires -
including the Verdale (2003; 8,474 acres), Piru (2003; 63,726 acres), Day
(2006; 161,816 acres), and Ranch (2007; 58,410 acres) fires.”
Photographed by Craig Baker
5. Marker Detail - Trail Map
Photographed by Craig Baker
6. Natural Resources Interpretive Sign
Photographed by Craig Baker, October 26, 2024
7. Fustero Memorial
Located 1,000 feet south of the trailhead, east of the road.
“In deepest respect — Juan Jose Fustero.
Last of the Piru Indians. 1841 - 1921.”
“In deepest respect — Juan Jose Fustero.
Last of the Piru Indians. 1841 - 1921.”
Credits. This page was last revised on October 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 18, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 702 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on October 18, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
