National Register of Historic Places

Fern Cave Archeological Site

Tule Lake, Modoc County, California

Listed

May 28, 1975

Type

Site

Period

Listed

Ref No.

75000224

About this property

The Fern Cave Archeological Site, in Lava Beds National Monument near Tule Lake, California, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. Fern Cave is one of the oldest archeological sites in the northwestern United States. Due to its unique and fragile ecosystem, as well as its spiritual value to the Modoc people, the cave is open to ranger-led tours only by appointment. Oral histories of the Modoc create a rich history around the Fern Cave. Modoc mythology includes a story of the first Maklak (also spelled Ma'qlaq) or "People". The story tells of a courageous group of water spirits referred to as "Gwagónus" that come to the aid of Kemush and descend into the cave to fight the primordial darkness. In the battle, the Gwagónus seal the darkness under the Fern Cave with molten rock at the sacrifice of their water skins, transforming them into the first Maklak. The molten rock given credit for creating their brown skin, the water skin turning into the sacred water that condenses in the cave giving it the unique environment it's known for. Stories continue, the cave drawings credited by tribal experts as records of the eruption of Mount Mazama now Crater Lake National Park. Modoc mythology tells of Kemush leading the Maklaks underground to safety as the mountain erupted. The water from the cave providing sustenance and the thick basalt walls giving shelter as the ash cloud dispersed. Though no academic consensus has been reached on what the pictographs inside of the Fern Cave depict, Modoc oral tradition claims that the images are a record of this. In contemporary history, Fern Cave was one of the vestiges of the Modoc as they fought against the U.S. Government in the Modoc War. Kintpuash, leader of the Modoc, used the Fern Cave to shelter women and children away from fighting, centralized in and around the Stronghold. A 54 acres (22 ha) area including the cave was listed on the National Register for its information potential.

Location

Tule Lake, Modoc County, California

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This page lists Fern Cave Archeological Site. A full Aubrey report for an address near it pulls together this listing alongside battlefield records, land patents, and every other historical record within a chosen radius:

Overview

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The Land

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Geology

The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.

LiDAR Terrain

Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.

Conflict & War

The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.

The Civil War

The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.

The Soldiers

The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.

Native Heritage

The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.

Settlement

Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.

The Community

How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.

Rivers & Rail

The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.

Notable People

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Historical Maps

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Finds & Access

Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.

Literature

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Spotlight

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Points of Interest

The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.

Timeline

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Questions about this property

When was Fern Cave Archeological Site listed on the National Register?

Fern Cave Archeological Site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 28, 1975.

What type of historic resource is Fern Cave Archeological Site?

Fern Cave Archeological Site is classified as a site in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Fern Cave Archeological Site?

The period of significance for Fern Cave Archeological Site is recorded as the listed era.

Can I research the history near Fern Cave Archeological Site?

Yes. Aubrey Research reports search National Register listings, battlefield records, land patents, and other primary historical sources within any radius of a US address. A report for an address near Fern Cave Archeological Site will include this listing and all other historical records in the area.

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