Gonzales in Monterey County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

The Mustard Seed Trail

One Voice Murals Project

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, March 20, 2013

1. The Mustard Seed Trail Marker

Inscription. The legend of “the mustard seed trail” is rooted in the Portola expedition which travelled through the Ohlone tribal lands with a wagon containing sacks of mustard seeds. These seeds were spread behind them as they travelled north in the winter, marking a trail for their return in the spring by a blooming yellow pathway.

Supervising Muralist: Trudy Karl • Asst. Muralist: Eliazar De La Cruz • Youth Muralists: Angelica Delgado, Azuzena Rayo, Claudia Picaso, Gerardo Camerena, Jose Morales, Misciel Flores, and Ceasar Rico

Special thanks to the following corporations and agencies for their support of the Private Industry Council Private Sector Youth Program: The Pebble Beach Compay, Tanamura & Autle, The Marriot, Searles/Art Max, The Jock Shop, The Dole Corporation, PG&E, and the City of Gonzales, and the Gonzales Rotary
.
The goal of the “One Voice” Murals Project is to enhance awareness of local cultural identities for Monterey County youths and their communities. This will be achieved through customized mural art and academics, work experience, field trips and mentoring in creative thinking that will ultimately give these youths “one voice” towards the dreams of their future.

This project was part of the 1998 Monterey County Summer Youth Employment Training Program funded by the United States Department

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

of Labor supported by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors and the Monterey County Private Industry Council.

Erected by One Voice Murals Project.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Portolá Expedition series list.

Location. 36° 30.439′ N, 121° 26.658′ W. Marker is in Gonzales, California, in Monterey County. Marker is on 4th Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 121 4th Street, Gonzales CA 93926, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Stag Saloon (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Gonzales (about 500 feet away); Gonzales Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Railroad Station Site (approx. 8½ miles away); Cesar Chavez Park (approx. 8½ miles away); Mission Nuestra Señora Dolorosísima de la Soledad (approx. 8.6 miles away); El Camino Real Bell (approx. 8.6 miles away); The De Anza Expedition in Soledad (approx. 8.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gonzales.

Regarding The Mustard Seed Trail. Historians do not believe the legend of the Mustard Seed Trail. Mustard

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, March 20, 2013

2. The Mustard Seed Trail Marker

The marker and mural are on the side of the building and faces the parking lot for the City of Gonzales offices.

plants could not mark a trail because they spread rapidly across the landscape, and the yellow blooms are only seen for a short time each spring.

The Mustard Seed Trail Mural image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, March 20, 2013

3. The Mustard Seed Trail Mural

Credits. This page was last revised on March 29, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 8, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 981 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 8, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.