Day 124: San Miguel Abalone Fishery (Part of Channel Islands National Park), Santa Barbara, California
đź“ŚAPIA Every Day (124) - The San Miguel Island abalone fishery, part of the Channel Islands National Park off the California coast, was initially inhabited by the Chumash people for over 13,000 years until European colonization in the late 18th century. Disease, food shortages, and the establishment of Catholic missions led to the relocation of the Chumash to the mainland by the 1820s, leaving the islands abandoned. In the next couple of decades, the abalone industry on San Miguel Island began to thrive from the 1850s to the 1880s, primarily driven by Chinese immigrants who adeptly harvested and processed abalone. By 1853, around 500 to 600 Chinese men were working on the island. However, restrictive laws and social prejudices eventually pushed these Chinese workers out of the industry, creating opportunities for Japanese and Euro-American individuals. The Japanese, in particular, introduced new techniques such as the hard-hat diving suit. Despite facing similar challenges, there is evidence that Japanese fishermen also worked in the fishery until restrictive legislation ultimately forced them out as well.
Archaeological investigations have revealed numerous artifacts and features that provide insights into the lives of the Chinese and Japanese fishermen on San Miguel Island. The site includes a large base camp at Adam’s Cove, several middens along the beaches, and other features such as stone windbreaks, wooden and stone drying slabs, and distinctive "hairpin" shaped hearths indicative of Chinese cultural practices. Personal items like ceramic sherds, glass bottles, buttons, smoking pipes, opium boxes, and carved sea lion teeth offer a glimpse into their daily lives. The reuse of campsites over time, evidenced by Japanese artifacts found on earlier Chinese sites, highlights the continuous occupation and adaptation by these communities.
The historical significance of the San Miguel Island abalone fishery lies in its reflection of the industrious efforts and contributions of Chinese and Japanese immigrants to the local and international economy during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The NPS AAPI National Historic Landmark Theme Study has recommended the site as a potential National Historic Landmark district.
LEARN MORE:
National Park Service: Chinese Abalone Fishermen
National Park Service: California: Channel Islands National Park
National Park Service: The History of Chinese Abalone Fishing in California (Video, 1hr+)
NPS AAPI National Historic Landmarks Theme Study (pg. 379)
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