Anderson Marsh State Historic Park


Anderson Marsh State Historic Park is a California State Historic Park and nature reserve preserving a tule marsh, archaeological sites of the Pomo people, and historic ranch structures. It is located in Lake County, California, USA. Anderson Marsh is located at the head of Cache Creek on the southeast corner of Clear Lake, the largest natural lake completely within the borders of California. The park is between the cities of Lower Lake and Clearlake on State Route 53, north of Calistoga in the wine country. The park is open year-round.

Natural history

The Anderson Marsh Park contains of :Category:Native grasses of California|native bunch grass-covered hills, oak woodland, and Tule marshes. It protects several habitats including: freshwater marsh wetlands, :Category:Grasslands of California|native grasslands, California oak woodlands, and riparian woodlands. Aquatic and terrestrial wildlife include: large mouth bass, bluegill, catfish, crappie, the north-western pond turtle, bats, gray fox, frogs, garter snakes, mink, muskrats, opossums, raccoon, river otter, skunks, and toads.
Approximately 151 different bird species, both migrating and resident, have been identified in the park.

History

The Southeastern Pomo Native Americans, one of the largest groups of indigenous peoples of the Americas in pre-Columbian California, lived in the area of present-day Anderson Marsh State Historic Park, and their descendants continue to do so nearby. Anderson Marsh's archaeological sites provide artifacts of the Pomo people. Some sites are among the oldest found in California, dated at over 10,000 years old. After recording 43 prehistoric sites, John Parker nominated the area to the National Register of Historic Places and began a campaign to have the sites acquired as a new State Park.
John Grigsby homesteaded in 1854 with his family, and built a small house. Scotsman John Still Anderson, with his wife and six children, bought the property from Grigsby in 1884, built what is now known as the Ranch House, and ran a dairy and raised beef cattle. Their descendants lived in the Ranch House until the 1960s.
The State Historic Park was named after John Still Anderson in 1982 after the State of California acquired the Anderson Marsh.

Visitor attractions

Activities

The park offers bird watching, hiking, a bluegrass musical festival, and interpretive programs, including a historic ranch home.

Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association - AMIA

The Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association was formed in 1984 by park staff and other volunteers. The primary objectives of the association are to promote the education and interpretive activities of this park. AMIA also funds projects including: habitat conservation and restoration work, trail accessibility construction and maintenance, providing interpretive displays and written information, facilities and historical objects rehabilitation, and acquiring interpretive items.

Closure proposal

Anderson Marsh State Historic Park is one of 70 California state parks scheduled to close in 2012 by California Governor Jerry Brown. The park will close July 2012 to achieve part of the $11 million budget reduction for the 2011/2012 fiscal year. This park and 47 other state parks were previously slated for closure in 2008 for financial reasons, but was saved from closure.

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