National Register of Historic Places

Petroglyph Point Archeological Site

Tulelake, Modoc County, California

Listed

May 28, 1975

Type

Site

Period

Pre Contact

Ref No.

75000178

About this property

The Petroglyph Point is an archaeological site within the Lava Beds National Monument, located southeast of Tulelake, California. Petroglyph Point contains one of the largest panels of Native American rock art in the United States. The petroglyphs are carved along the face of a former island within Tule Lake, in a region historically inhabited by the Modoc peoples. The Petroglyph Point Archeological Site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, while the Lava Beds National Monument Archeological District was listed in March 1991. It is difficult to approximate the age of the carvings due to Tule Lake's frequently changing water levels affecting natural weathering, but some estimates suggest the carvings were made over 6000 years ago. The carvings differ greatly from those in similar archeological sites in that they feature shapes and patterns rather than living creatures. Due to the Modoc War from 1872 to 1873, as well as the subsequent relocation of the Modoc peoples, researchers are unable to collect any firsthand accounts regarding what the patterns might symbolize. After the Modoc War, the subsection of the Lava Beds National Monument containing Petroglyph Point was owned and overseen by various farmers until it was given to the National Park Service in 1954.

Location

Tulelake, Modoc County, California

Everything a full report reveals about Petroglyph Point Archeological Site

This page lists Petroglyph Point 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

An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.

The Land

The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.

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

The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.

Historical Maps

Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.

Finds & Access

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

Literature

The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.

Spotlight

A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.

Points of Interest

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

Timeline

The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.

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Questions about this property

When was Petroglyph Point Archeological Site listed on the National Register?

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

What type of historic resource is Petroglyph Point Archeological Site?

Petroglyph Point Archeological Site is classified as a site in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Petroglyph Point Archeological Site?

The period of significance for Petroglyph Point Archeological Site is recorded as the pre_contact era.

Can I research the history near Petroglyph Point 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 Petroglyph Point Archeological Site will include this listing and all other historical records in the area.

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