T' EPOT' AHA' L
PEOPLE OF THE OAKS
Perfecta Encinales and Family
(Center with cane)
Married to my 3x Great Grandfather Eusebio Encinales
Jose Bylon (2x Great Uncle)
(Second from Left)
Paso Robles Parade Circa 1931
(Black Gold Cooperative Library)
Bill Pierce
(Far right on white horse)
My Great Uncle
The Salinan Tribe of San Luis Obispo and Monterey Counties encompassed an area of roughly 3,000 square miles along the California central coastline. The area spanned from the Santa Lucia Range and headwaters of the Salinas River all the way down the coast of California through San Simeon, Morro Bay, and Montana de Oro.
The Salinan Indians spoke 3 distinct dialects which were relevant to their region. Those who resided in the northern villages were named the Antoniaños (Mission San Antonio), those in the southern villages were named the Migueleños (San Miguel Mission), and those who spoke the third dialect who lived along the coastal villages spoke Playaño.
As the largest of the villages was located along the Salinas River, the Tribe was named "Salinan" in the 1800's by anthropologists.
From this tribe came many notable Salinan Indians that founded this region. Those include the Perfecta Encinales, her husband Eusebio Encinales (my 3xGreat Grandfather), Maria Antonia Bylon (my Great Grandmother), and Antonia's brother and sister, Jose Bylon and Maria Severina Bylon, the Salinan Indians who were forced off of their tribal land in Toro Creek between Atascadero and Morro Bay.
THE SAN ANTONIO AND SAN MIGUEL MISSIONS
"In Honor of the Salinan People"
Salinan Indian Tribal Cemetery at the San Miguel Mission.
The San Antonio de Padua Mission was the third mission in built of the 21 California Missions. It was located near the present-day town fo Jolon in the Santa Lucia Mountains and named after the Saint Anthony of Padua. This was the first mission established in the land of the Salinan natives.
The site for the San Miguel Mission was chosen in order to ease travel between the San Antonio and the San Luis Obispo Missions. Founded in 1797, the mission was named after the Arcangel Saint Michael and sat along the El Camino Real. The road ran next to a large Salinan village.
THE PIERCE FAMILY NATIVE TRADITIONS
The iconic Pierce Family Abalone Mound picture that made national headlines. My grandfather Edward J. Pierce is third from left in the front row with the hat.
(Courtesy of the Bickford Family)
As abalone had been used as a source of food by local natives along the central coast for thousands of years, Bill Pierce, the oldest of the family, saw the opportunity to build a family business based on native traditions.
As is customary of Native American culture, as the younger brothers came of age, he brought them on board to help build a thriving family business that has shaped the central coast landscape that we see today.
GLEN BICKFORD
Glen Bickford
(Courtesy of the Bickford Family)
Glen Bickford, who lived across the street from my grandfather in Morro Bay, was devoted to recording the pictorial history of the region and everywhere along the California Coastline.
Glen was also one of the original abalone divers that worked with the Pierce Family that made so much of this possible.
We are all indebted to your family for this.
TIMELINE
T' EPOT' AHA' L
PEOPLE OF THE OAKS
Perfecta Encinales and Family
(Center with cane)
Married to my 3x Great Grandfather Eusebio Encinales
Jose Bylon (2x Great Uncle)
(Second from Left)
Paso Robles Parade Circa 1931
(Black Gold Cooperative Library)
Bill Pierce
(Far right on white horse)
My Great Uncle
The Salinan Tribe of San Luis Obispo and Monterey Counties encompassed an area of roughly 3,000 square miles along the California central coastline. The area spanned from the Santa Lucia Range and headwaters of the Salinas River all the way down the coast of California through San Simeon, Morro Bay, and Montana de Oro.
The Salinan Indians spoke 3 distinct dialects which were relevant to their region. Those who resided in the northern villages were named the Antoniaños (Mission San Antonio), those in the southern villages were named the Migueleños (San Miguel Mission), and those who spoke the third dialect who lived along the coastal villages spoke Playaño.
As the largest of the villages was located along the Salinas River, the Tribe was named "Salinan" in the 1800's by anthropologists.
From this tribe came many notable Salinan Indians that founded this region. Those include the Perfecta Encinales, her husband Eusebio Encinales (my 3xGreat Grandfather), Maria Antonia Bylon (my Great Grandmother), and Antonia's brother and sister, Jose Bylon and Maria Severina Bylon, the Salinan Indians who were forced off of their tribal land in Toro Creek between Atascadero and Morro Bay.
THE SAN ANTONIO AND SAN MIGUEL MISSIONS
"In Honor of the Salinan People"
Salinan Indian Tribal Cemetery at the San Miguel Mission.
The San Antonio de Padua Mission was the third mission in built of the 21 California Missions. It was located near the present-day town fo Jolon in the Santa Lucia Mountains and named after the Saint Anthony of Padua. This was the first mission established in the land of the Salinan natives.
The site for the San Miguel Mission was chosen in order to ease travel between the San Antonio and the San Luis Obispo Missions. Founded in 1797, the mission was named after the Arcangel Saint Michael and sat along the El Camino Real. The road ran next to a large Salinan village.
THE PIERCE FAMILY NATIVE TRADITIONS
The iconic Pierce Family Abalone Mound picture that made national headlines. My grandfather Edward J. Pierce is third from left in the front row with the hat.
(Courtesy of the Bickford Family)
As abalone had been used as a source of food by local natives along the central coast for thousands of years, Bill Pierce, the oldest of the family, saw the opportunity to build a family business based on native traditions.
As is customary of Native American culture, as the younger brothers came of age, he brought them on board to help build a thriving family business that has shaped the central coast landscape that we see today.
GLEN BICKFORD
Glen Bickford
(Courtesy of the Bickford Family)
Glen Bickford, who lived across the street from my grandfather in Morro Bay, was devoted to recording the pictorial history of the region and everywhere along the California Coastline.
Glen was also one of the original abalone divers that worked with the Pierce Family that made so much of this possible.
We are all indebted to your family for this.
TIMELINE
T' EPOT' AHA' L
PEOPLE OF THE OAKS
Perfecta Encinales and Family
(Center with cane)
Married to my 3x Great Grandfather Eusebio Encinales
Jose Bylon (2x Great Uncle)
(Second from Left)
Paso Robles Parade Circa 1931
(Black Gold Cooperative Library)
Bill Pierce
(Far right on white horse)
My Great Uncle
The Salinan Tribe of San Luis Obispo and Monterey Counties encompassed an area of roughly 3,000 square miles along the California central coastline. The area spanned from the Santa Lucia Range and headwaters of the Salinas River all the way down the coast of California through San Simeon, Morro Bay, and Montana de Oro.
The Salinan Indians spoke 3 distinct dialects which were relevant to their region. Those who resided in the northern villages were named the Antoniaños (Mission San Antonio), those in the southern villages were named the Migueleños (San Miguel Mission), and those who spoke the third dialect who lived along the coastal villages spoke Playaño.
As the largest of the villages was located along the Salinas River, the Tribe was named "Salinan" in the 1800's by anthropologists.
From this tribe came many notable Salinan Indians that founded this region. Those include the Perfecta Encinales, her husband Eusebio Encinales (my 3xGreat Grandfather), Maria Antonia Bylon (my Great Grandmother), and Antonia's brother and sister, Jose Bylon and Maria Severina Bylon, the Salinan Indians who were forced off of their tribal land in Toro Creek between Atascadero and Morro Bay.
THE SAN ANTONIO AND SAN MIGUEL MISSIONS
"In Honor of the Salinan People"
Salinan Indian Tribal Cemetery at the San Miguel Mission.
The San Antonio de Padua Mission was the third mission in built of the 21 California Missions. It was located near the present-day town fo Jolon in the Santa Lucia Mountains and named after the Saint Anthony of Padua. This was the first mission established in the land of the Salinan natives.
The site for the San Miguel Mission was chosen in order to ease travel between the San Antonio and the San Luis Obispo Missions. Founded in 1797, the mission was named after the Arcangel Saint Michael and sat along the El Camino Real. The road ran next to a large Salinan village.
THE PIERCE FAMILY NATIVE TRADITIONS
As abalone had been used as a source of food by local natives along the central coast for thousands of years, Bill Pierce, the oldest of the family, saw the opportunity to build a family business based on native traditions.
As is customary of Native American culture, as the younger brothers came of age, he brought them on board to help build a thriving family business that has shaped the central coast landscape that we see today.
The iconic Pierce Family Abalone Mound picture that made national headlines. My grandfather Edward J. Pierce is third from left in the front row with the hat.
(Courtesy of the Bickford Family)
GLEN BICKFORD
Glen Bickford
(Courtesy of the Bickford Family)
Glen Bickford, who lived across the street from my grandfather in Morro Bay, was devoted to recording the pictorial history of the region and everywhere along the California Coastline.
Glen was also one of the original abalone divers that worked with the Pierce Family that made so much of this possible.
We are all indebted to your family for this.
TIMELINE
Mission San Antonio De Padua
Founded July 14, 1771 in Monterey County
Mission San Antonio De Padua established by the Franciscan order in present-day Monterey County near the town of Jolon, California. Founded on July 14, 1771, and was the third mission founded in Alta California.
Mission San Miguel Arcangel
Founded July 25, 1797 in San Luis Obispo County
Mission San Miguel Arcangel is located in San Luis Obispo County. Established on July 25, 1797 by the Franciscan order. The site was chosen as a rest point between the San Antonio and the San Luis Obispo Mission and due to the large number of Salinan Indians that inhabited the region.
Salinan Indians at the San Miguel Mission Artwork
Louis Choris, 1822
Depiction of the Salinan Indians by Louis Choris, 1822.
(Courtesy of LegendsOfAmerica.com)
Maria Antonia Bylon Baptism
Great Grandmother Baptism at Mission San Miguel
Original baptism record entry at Mission San Miguel Arcangel for Maria Antonia Bylon.
Maria Antonia Bylon Pierce & Edward Romeo Pierce
Great Grandparents Wedding Photograph
Wedding photograph of my Great Grandparents taken on November 5, 1900. Maria was a full blooded Salinan Indian. (Courtesy of Pierce Family Archives)
Original Marriage License
Maria Antonia Bylon and Edward Ramon Pierce
Marriage license for my Great Grandparents.
Maria Antonia Bylon Pierce
Great Grandmother
Salinan tribal family picnic at Morro Bay. On the left standing with the pie is Maria Antonia Bylon, Salinan Indian.
Maria Antonia Bylon Pierce
Great Grandmother
Headstone for my Great Grandmother Maria Antonia Bylon Pierce.
Birth Certificates Jose and Maria Severiana Bylon
Great Grandmother's Brother and Sister
Birth certificates for Great Grandmother's brother and sister.
The Original Pierce Family Abalone Shed
Located in Morro Bay on Monterey Street
The original A. Paladini Abalone Shed that was located on what is today Monterey Street in Morro Bay, California.
Jose Bylon and Maria Serina Bylon Newspaper Story
San Luis Obispo Daily Telegram
Brother and sister of my Great Grandmother Antonia Bylon Pierce. The Daily Telegram of San Luis Obispo supporting the rights of my family back in 1929.
Jose Bylon: Paso Robles Parade
Brother of my Great Grandmother Antonia Bylon Pierce
Paso Robles Parade of 1931. From Left to Right: Chief Red Horse, Jose Bylon (Salinan Indian), Anna Herrera (Salinan Indian), Rebecca Red Horse, Felicita Rosas (Salinan).
Original Pierce Family Abalone Mound
Morro Bay, CA, Circa 1930s
Mound of abalones located at the original abalone shed on Monterey Street in Morro Bay. Front Row left to right: Frank "Pepper" Herrera, Carl Pierce, Eddie Pierce (my grandfather), Charlie Pierce, Bill Kester. Back row left to right: Walt Pierce, Tom Pierce, Carl Tonini, Les Pierce. Far right in the middle: Adrien "Dutch" Pierce.
(Photo Credit: Glen Bickford; Courtesy of The Bickford Family Archives)
Pierce Family Abalone Shed
Morro Bay, CA, Circa 1933
Taken from the outside looking in to the Pierce Family Abalone Shed on what was then 3rd Street.
From left to right: Bill Pierce, Dutch Pierce, Frank Brebes, Les Pierce, and Charlie Pierce.
(Photo Credit: Glen Bickford; Courtesy of The Bickford Family Archives)
Native Indians of the Central Coast
Bill Pierce, Salinan Indian
Bill Pierce is the Salinan Indian on the far right on the white horse.
(Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Pierce Family)
U.S.S. Salinan ATF-161
United States Navy
Named in honor of the Salinan Indians.
Picture of the U.S.S. Salinan ATF-161. Commissioned November 9, 1945. LCDR Robert M. Whelpley, USN in command.
(Photo Credit: Unknown, Courtesy of the Pierce Family)
William "Bill" Pierce
Great Uncle
Standing on the wooden dive ladder of the boat, Bill waits for his line tender to put on his diving helmet so he could get to work.
(Photo Credit: Glen Bickford; Courtesy of The Bickford Family Archives)
Adrian "Dutch" Pierce
Great Uncle - California Indian Council
Dutch Pierce wearing traditional feathered headdress at his home in Morro Bay. Dutch was very active in Native Indian causes as a member of the California Indian Council.
Edward Pierce and Henry Brebes
Great Uncle
Edward Pierce and Henry Brebes working in the family abalone industry.
Les Pierce Profile Article
San Luis Obispo Telegram-Tribune: November 8, 1979.
Profile article that appeared in the San Lis Obispo Telegram Tribune discussing his life.
Original Pierce Indian Family Abalone Shed on Monterey Street
Morro Bay, California
From Left to Right: Edward J. Pierce (Grandfather), his brother Les on the far right, and Les' wife in the middle.
Edward Pierce (Left) and Adrian "Dutch" Pierce
Grandfather and Great Uncle
The Pierce Family took great pride in their Native American heritage. Edward Jospeh Pierce, Born in Jolon, California (August 19, 1914 - March 12, 2004)
Edward J. Pierce
Headstone for my Grandfather
Edward Jospeh Pierce (August 19, 1914 - March 12, 2004)
Mission San Antonio De Padua
Founded July 14, 1771 in Monterey County
Mission San Antonio De Padua established by the Franciscan order in present-day Monterey County near the town of Jolon, California. Founded on July 14, 1771, and was the third mission founded in Alta California.
Mission San Miguel Arcangel
Founded July 25, 1797 in San Luis Obispo County
Mission San Miguel Arcangel is located in San Luis Obispo County. Established on July 25, 1797 bet eh Franciscan order. The site was chosen as a rest point between the San Antonio and the San Luis Obispo Mission and due to the large number of Salinan Indians that inhabited the region.
Salinan Indians at the San Miguel Mission Artwork
Louis Choris, 1822
Depiction of the Salinan Indians by Louis Choris, 1822.
(Courtesy of LegendsOfAmerica.com)
Maria Antonia Bylon Baptism
Great Grandmother Baptism at Mission San Miguel
Original baptism record entry at Mission San Miguel Arcangel for Maria Antonia Bylon.
Maria Antonia Bylon Pierce & Edward Romeo Pierce
Great Grandparents Wedding Photograph
Wedding photograph of my Great Grandparents taken on November 5, 1900. Maria was a full blooded Salinan Indian. (Courtesy of Pierce Family Archives)
Original Marriage License
Maria Antonia Bylon and Edward Ramon Pierce
Marriage license for my Great Grandparents.
Maria Antonia Bylon Pierce
Great Grandmother
Salinan tribal family picnic at Morro Bay. On the left standing with the pie is Maria Antonia Bylon, Salinan Indian.
Maria Antonia Bylon Pierce
Great Grandmother
Headstone for my Great Grandmother Maria Antonia Bylon Pierce.
Birth Certificates Jose and Maria Severiana Bylon
Great Grandmother's Brother and Sister
Birth certificates for Great Grandmother's brother and sister.
The Original Pierce Family Abalone Shed
Located in Morro Bay on Monterey Street
The original A. Paladini Abalone Shed that was located on what is today Monterey Street in Morro Bay, California.
Jose Bylon and Maria Serina Bylon Newspaper Story
San Luis Obispo Daily Telegram
Brother and sister of my Great Grandmother Antonia Bylon Pierce. The Daily Telegram of San Luis Obispo supporting the rights of my family back in 1929.
Jose Bylon: Paso Robles Parade
Brother of my Great Grandmother Antonia Bylon Pierce
Paso Robles Parade of 1931. From Left to Right: Chief Red Horse, Jose Bylon (Salinan Indian), Anna Herrera (Salinan Indian), Rebecca Red Horse, Felicita Rosas (Salinan).
Original Pierce Family Abalone Mound
Morro Bay, CA, Circa 1930s
Mound of abalones located at the original abalone shed on Monterey Street in Morro Bay. Front Row left to right: Frank "Pepper" Herrera, Carl Pierce, Eddie Pierce (my grandfather), Charlie Pierce, Bill Kester. Back row left to right: Walt Pierce, Tom Pierce, Carl Tonini, Les Pierce. Far right in the middle: Adrien "Dutch" Pierce.
(Photo Credit: Glen Bickford; Courtesy of The Bickford Family Archives)
Pierce Family Abalone Shed
Morro Bay, CA, Circa 1933
Taken from the outside looking in to the Pierce Family Abalone Shed on what was then 3rd Street.
From left to right: Bill Pierce, Dutch Pierce, Frank Brebes, Les Pierce, and Charlie Pierce.
(Photo Credit: Glen Bickford; Courtesy of The Bickford Family Archives)
Native Indians of the Central Coast
Bill Pierce, Salinan Indian
Bill Pierce is the Salinan Indian on the far right on the white horse.
(Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Pierce Family)
U.S.S. Salinan ATF-161
United States Navy
Named in honor of the Salinan Indians.
Picture of the U.S.S. Salinan ATF-161. Commissioned November 9, 1945. LCDR Robert M. Whelpley, USN in command.
(Photo Credit: Unknown, Courtesy of the Pierce Family)
William "Bill" Pierce
Great Uncle
Standing on the wooden dive ladder of the boat, Bill waits for his line tender to put on his diving helmet so he could get to work.
(Photo Credit: Glen Bickford; Courtesy of The Bickford Family Archives)
Adrian "Dutch" Pierce
Great Uncle - California Indian Council
Dutch Pierce wearing traditional feathered headdress at his home in Morro Bay. Dutch was very active in Native Indian causes as a member of the California Indian Council.
Edward Pierce and Henry Brebes
Great Uncle
Edward Pierce and Henry Brebes working in the family abalone industry.
Les Pierce Profile Article
San Luis Obispo Telegram-Tribune: November 8, 1979.
Profile article that appeared in the San Lis Obispo Telegram Tribune discussing his life.
Original Pierce Indian Family Abalone Shed on Monterey Street
Morro Bay, California
From Left to Right: Edward J. Pierce (Grandfather), his brother Les on the far right, and Les' wife in the middle.
Edward Pierce (Left) and Adrian "Dutch" Pierce
Grandfather and Great Uncle
The Pierce Family took great pride in their Native American heritage. Edward Jospeh Pierce, Born in Jolon, California (August 19, 1914 - March 12, 2004)
Edward J. Pierce
Headstone for my Grandfather
Edward Jospeh Pierce (August 19, 1914 - March 12, 2004)
