Berkeley Hills in Alameda County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Indian Rock

Berkeley History

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 21, 2012

1. Indian Rock Marker

Inscription. Outcroppings of weathered rock are a prominent feature of the Berkeley Hills, providing evidence of this area’s complex geological past. Composed of Northbrae rhyolite, Indian Rock is an ancient volcanic remnant. Native Ohlone communities gathered at these outcroppings. Here they ground acorns into meal with stone pestles, eventually wearing bowl-like depressions in the rock.

In the early 20th century the Mason-McDuffie Real Estate Company developed the surrounding Northbrae subdivision. In 1917 the company donated park parcels around five rock formations, including Indian Rock, to the City of Berkeley. During the 1930s, here and at nearby Cragmont Rock, Berkeley mountaineering enthusiasts practiced new techniques that revolutionized the sport. As a young man, environmentalist and Berkeley native David Brower was among those who climbed here.

Erected 2003 by Berkeley Historical Plaque Project.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Natural Features • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1917.

Location. 37° 53.542′ N, 122° 16.356′ W. Marker is in Berkeley, California, in Alameda County. It is in Berkeley Hills. It is on Indian

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Rock Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 931 Indian Rock Avenue, Berkeley CA 94707, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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

and 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: Mortar Rock (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Northbrae Public Improvements (approx. 0.2 miles away); John Hinkel Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Site of Thousand Oaks School (approx. 0.4 miles away); Thousand Oaks Neighborhood and Urns (approx. 0.4 miles away); North Branch Berkeley Public Library (approx. half a mile away); Site of Napoleon Bonaparte Byrne House (approx. 0.6 miles away); Berkeley Municipal Rose Garden (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Berkeley.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Live Oak Park (was approx. 0.6 miles away but has been permanently removed).

Also see . . .
1. Indian Rock Park. The City of Berkeley Parks Department gives the history of the park, photos and links to other parks within the city. (Submitted on March 24, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

2. David Bower - Wikipedia. Brower came to the environmental movement as a result of his interest in mountaineering. In 1933, Brower spent seven weeks in the High Sierra with George Rockwood. After a close call

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 21, 2012

2. Indian Rock Marker

with a loose rock while climbing in the Palisades, he met Norman Clyde in the wilderness, who gave him some valuable climbing lessons. (Submitted on April 15, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 21, 2012

3. Indian Rock

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 24, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,544 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 24, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.