Pleasanton in Alameda County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Alviso Adobe Community Park
5,000 Years of History in Seven Acres
Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 6, 2009
1. Alviso Adobe Community Park Panel 1
This panel is mounted to the left of the entrance gate.
[Panel 1:]
Pleasanton’s past and the rich stories of the people that have come before can be discovered in the landscape and features of this park. Three periods of occupation trace regional settlement from prehistory to the present day.
Native American Occupation
From as early as 3240 B.C., the valley was part of a permanent settlement of Indians. In the late 1700s, Spanish missionaries established nearby Mission San Jose, claiming this land and using it for cattle grazing.
[Panel 2:]
Hispanic and Early American Period
Ranching continued here after Mexico declared independence from Spain in 1824 and the missions were closed. The property was gradually split into smaller parcels and sold, with tenant farming becoming its main use.
Dairy Operation
From 1919 until 1969, this was the home of the Meadowlark Dairy, the first and only certified dairy in Alameda County. At its peak, the property was filled with buildings, cattle and activity.
Erected 2008 by City of Pleasanton.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Native Americans • Natural Resources • Notable Places.
Location. 37° 39.603′ N,
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Alviso Adobe (within shouting distance of this marker); Meadowlark Dairy - The Dairy Silo (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Meadowlark Dairy (about 400 feet away); Changing Landscape (about 400 feet away); Meadowlark Dairy – Dairy Manager’s House (about 500 feet away); Meadowlark Dairy – Dairy Bunkhouse (about 600 feet away); Meadowlark Dairy - Historic Orchard (about 600 feet away); The Heritage House (approx. 1˝ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pleasanton.
Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 6, 2009
2. Alviso Adobe Community Park Panel 2
This panel is mounted to the right of the entrance gate.
Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 6, 2009
3. Entrance to the Alviso Adobe Community Park
Marker panels can be seen flanking the entrance gate.
Photographed By Syd Whittle
4. Alviso Adobe
The main focus of the park is the Alviso Adobe and the Meadowlark Dairy. See "Nearby Markers" for additional information on these sites.
Photographed By Syd Whittle
5. The Meadowlark Dairy Hay Barn - Interpretive Center
Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 6, 2009
6. Site Map Display
This plaque located between the Interpretive Center and the Adobe, shows the placement of the buildings during the peak of dairy operations.
Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 6, 2009
7. A Bountiful Place
Located throughout the park are interpretive markers detailing the natural resources and the changes the site has experienced over many years. This is an example of one of these markers:
Water and abundant food sources sustained the Ohlone population in the Pleasanton Valley.
For the Ohlone, fresh water was an important resouce for living. The seasonal drainage provides habitat for native plant species, many that were used by the Indians for food and medicinal purposes.
The rock features below, known as a bedrock mortar, was traditionally used by the Ohlone for processing acorns for eating. This is the only known remaining pre-historic feature in the park and is listed on the California Historic Register. The feature dates from perhaps as long as 3,000 BC and is most likely associated with one or more nearby archeological sites from the same time period.
Water and abundant food sources sustained the Ohlone population in the Pleasanton Valley.
For the Ohlone, fresh water was an important resouce for living. The seasonal drainage provides habitat for native plant species, many that were used by the Indians for food and medicinal purposes.
The rock features below, known as a bedrock mortar, was traditionally used by the Ohlone for processing acorns for eating. This is the only known remaining pre-historic feature in the park and is listed on the California Historic Register. The feature dates from perhaps as long as 3,000 BC and is most likely associated with one or more nearby archeological sites from the same time period.
Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 6, 2009
8. Bedrock Mortars
These bedrock mortars are described on the marker seen in Photo #7
Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 6, 2009
9. Valley Oak - Quercus lobata
An example of stones placed at the base of several species of trees and plants throughout the park.
The acorns of this deciduous tree were a food staple for Native Americans. The Ohlone would harvest the acorns, grind them into flour, rinse the meal to leach the bitterness and bake into bread. The outer parts of the dough were used to make soup. Juice from the galls on the Valley oak was diluted and used for eyewash. It was also made into a black dye.
The acorns of this deciduous tree were a food staple for Native Americans. The Ohlone would harvest the acorns, grind them into flour, rinse the meal to leach the bitterness and bake into bread. The outer parts of the dough were used to make soup. Juice from the galls on the Valley oak was diluted and used for eyewash. It was also made into a black dye.
Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 6, 2009
10. Valley Oak
Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 6, 2009
11. Dedication Plaque Mounted on the South Support Arch of the Adobe
Community Park
Dedicated October 25, 2008
City Council
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 19, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,955 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 20, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 4. submitted on November 16, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 5. submitted on November 18, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. submitted on November 20, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.
