The painting above is from the 1870s and it shows the ferry
across the mouth of the slough, the Salinas River flowing along the
coast, early Moss Landing with its pier and warehouses, and the
beginnings of Castroville (center). This painting now hangs in the
rectory of a Catholic church in Castroville.
The Early History of Elkhorn
pre-1760s – The Ohlone coastal Indians make their
home in the area living off a rich pantry from the water and using
fire to manage land for seeds and bulbs.
1769 – Father Crespi and seven other members of the
Don Gaspar de Portola party follow the sand peninsula to the mouth
of the Salinas River. The river is too deep to ford, so the
expedition works its way around the slough via San Miguel Canyon to
the Pajaro Valley. The first Spanish name given to Elkhorn Slough
is “El Estero Grande.”
1775-1822 - Lands granted by the Spanish Crown.
1822-1846 - Lands granted by the Mexican Government.
1846-? - Mexican grants reviewed by U.S. government.
Modern History of Elkhorn
2010 (or later) - You find a Geocache Here.
For a more comprehensive history of Elkhorn Click Here
Thank you Martha Van Dyke and Greg Hofmann
This cache page composed by El Jim for the now archived GCXBX5, which was down the road a short distance. As that area is overgrown with poison oak and has unfriendly signage the cache has been moved to this friendlier location, still affording the cacher a beautiful view. Many thanks to El Jim for allowing me to copy his work and continue a cache in this scenic spot.
There is some shoulder parking nearby, but please be aware of traffic on this road before exiting your car or returning to your car.