The answer to the question of who were the first people to actually live at or  near Upper Soda Springs may depend on whom you ask. 

       For many current Native American tribes, their religion and their tradition teach  them that their tribe were the first and only inhabitants on their land since the beginning  of time, and they view the questions of when they arrived, or if others lived on the land  before them, as irrelevant and against their teachings.

       For many scientists, however, the question of who were the first inhabitants at  different locations in North America is a fascinating puzzle, with new pieces being  discovered every year.  

      In the late 1800's, scientists of that era realized that many Native American tribes  were being killed or moved off their land, and that important information about these tribes  was being lost.  These scientists
The Okwanuchu
      When those scientists interviewed tribal members around Mt.Shasta, in many cases  there were only a few survivors left of the tribes who had been living there when the first  European-Americans arrived in Northern California.

       In particular, the interviewers found members of a group of tribes, related by  language and culture around Mt. Shasta, that they called the Shasta tribes.  Included among  the Shasta tribes was a tribe known as the Okwanuchu.

      The Okwanuchu lived in the area south and southwest of Mt. Shasta, including the  present-day cities of Mount Shasta, California and Dunsmuir, California, the upper  Sacramento River and the McCloud River, south to north Salt Creek and east to Squaw Valley  Creek.

       When those scientists interviewed tribal members around Mt.Shasta, in many cases  there were only a few survivors left of the tribes who had been living there when the first  European-Americans arrived in Northern California.
       In particular, the interviewers found members of a group of tribes, related by  language and culture around Mt. Shasta, that they called the Shasta tribes.  Included among  the Shasta tribes was a tribe known as the Okwanuchu.

      The Okwanuchu lived in the area south and southwest of Mt. Shasta, including the  present-day cities of Mount Shasta, California and Dunsmuir, California, the upper  Sacramento River and the McCloud River, south to north Salt Creek and east to Squaw Valley  Creek.
Early People
Hunters and Trappers
Megafauna
Lava Flow
Early People
The Okwanuchu
Hunters and Trappers
The 1834 Drive
US Exploring Expedition
Earliest Development
McCloud's First Property
Wintu and Tauhindali
Upper Soda Resort
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