The herald., 1894-08-02
CURIOUS CATALINA CAvERNS.
Homes Of Prehistoric Island
People.
An Account of Some Recent Interest
ing Discoveries.
What Party Discovered Near the New
Coach Road - Recent
Arrivals at the
Hotels.
Special correspondence to the HERALD.

AVALON, July 5Utn.
Since the new coach road opened,
about 10 days ago, probably more people
have wandered over the north end of the
island than in many months before. The
island is singularly inaccessible, and this
new road, that now penetrates the in
terror eight or 10 miles. will result in
adding many attractions to the island
and open up a most interesting country.
A few days ago q party was made up
at the Metropole to do the trip. part
going in the yacht San Diego and others
in the Mascot. They were met on the
beach at the isthmus by George Seeley
and the four-in hand, and were soon
whirling away up the face of the hills
that front the harbor, the gradual rise
and the continual change of scene call
ing forth EXPLANATIONS of delight and
pleasure from the ladies, the rich blue
waters far below and the hills and
caf1ons of the north island making q
pleasant contrast.
The men were at work upon the road
improving it, and had just found de
posit of immense fossil shells, showing
that the geology of the island is similar
to that of the main land.
Crossing the divide the coach plunged
down into the interior, and when about
two miles from Little harbor one OF the
party left the coach to investigate the
country to the west.
About 100 yards from the coach road
shallow cafion had cut its way through
the rock and was evidently the bed of a
fierce winter stream at times. On the
east aide pile of rocks had attracted
the attention of the explorer on previ-
GUS occasion, and, climbing up, it was
found to be an ancient Indian cavern.
In former years it had evidently been
shelter from winter wind and weather !;
the intervening centuries since its use
had filed it up on the river side, but on
the other there was an opening that
would hold family or more, and strewn
about were various evidences OF ancient
occupation. The floor Was made up Of
black earth filed with abalone shells
that had been brought from the bay two
miles away. The great rock which
formed the cavern had been split by an
earthquake or some convulsion of ma
ture, leaving an opening overhead which
the tenants had covered with fat slabs,
but which now had fallen through, and
the entire rock had undoubtedly settled,
making the passageway to the interior
compartment very small, but still large
enough to admit man and q thousand
years ago it might have held number
of people. The family who held posses
sion were evidently the aristecrats; in a
word, the local 400. The site of the
cavern WAS slightly one, commanding
view of the country all about. In
crevice in the rocks were found ecme
ancient household objects in stone-a
piece of steatite with hole in the cen.
ter, possibly a slnker; pestle and sev-
eral little objects in stone, whose pur-
pose is not known.
Crossing the arroyo here a second
townsite or camp was found on the brow
OF the hill. The same evidences were
strewn about, piles OF abalone and black
earth overgrown by cactus, with stone
Implements here and there, showing
that the profane hands of the profes.
sional collector had not been there.
Fraubrere, the explorer, cav three or
four other camp sites, ehowing that this
must have been q favorite resort of the
Indians in the old days. The most in
teresting spot was high up on the noun.
tain near the divide, which, from a dis
tance, looked like circle or stone fence.
Nearing it, it was found to be large
rock that cropped out 80 as to form an
imperfect circle. On the east there was
wnat appeared to be wall OF rock that
had either been piled up by man or such
action very skilliully initiated by nature,
as it had all the appearance of wall,
and there was evidence that it had con-
tinued in circle. Climbing into the
place, the gleam of the tell.tale abalone
struck the eye, and it WAS found to have
floor OF black earth mixed with shell,
and overgrown in every direction with
cactus. The only inhabitant was a
curious black raven that disappeared
among the rocks with a dismal creak,
but around were pieces OF mortars and
pestles, old stone grinders. evidences of
former occupation.
Following down the back road to Lit
tie harbor, two or three other sitos
were found, where the old natives had
lived, indicated by piles of huge aba.
ZONES, the one on the north side being
covered by an ancient growth of cactus.
Whan the hotel is completed at this
place. and Little harbor has its quota of
summer and winter visitors, these his
toric points will be of great interest, as
patton of the island in the past and of
the ingenuity of the ancients. Thous-
ands of years ago this fair island was
inhabited, and the crude implements
found we'll illustrate what man can do
with etone. Little harbor will some
day be a rival of Avalon. 1t has a
beautiful location, two fine bathing
beaches, fine fishing, a magnificent
hotel site and level ground, large
enough for race track, the location for
which has already been placed. Trees
are to be planted there. and in short
time the place will be one of the choice
spots ON the island and the summer
home OF many.
This summer the weather 30 far has
been delightful, not a single really hot
or uncomfortable day being expert
enced. Barracudas are biting we'll one
party brought in 26 day or two since,
and all the boats have taken fair catches
Of these and rockbass.
Among the recent arrivals at this Met
ropole are DR.. W. III. White, New York:
Miss George. New York; Samuel Hub
bard, jr., Oakland; Mr.. and MIS-. Braun,
Los Angeles; Mr.. and Mrs. O'Brien,
San Francisco; Il. X. Mcdowell, Mrs.
NJ. Rosenthal, Chicago; ID. M. Pset.
Boston; Mrs. j. G. Carter Chicago;
Mr.. and Mrs. D. A. Prince, Springfield,
ILL.,; John d. Perrine, San Francisco; j.
II. Drastic, St. Louis; Mr.. and Mrs. j.
Phoenix; M. G. Adler, G. |
W. Harm. Miss M. Hern. l.. II. Batch |