This photograph taken in Morro Bay of my grandfather and great uncle brings back many memories of growing up in an Indian family.  Having lived at the Toro Creek Indian Settlement, they understood our region like no other.  I think of them often and the life lessons they taught me as I travel around this amazing region.

This is the iconic Abalone Mound photograph taken in Morro Bay on C Street (now Monterey Ave) adjacent to Pierce Brothers Abalone Shop.  (Front L to R: Pepper Herrera, Carl Pierce, Eddie Pierce (my Grandfather), Charlie Pierce, William Kester. Back L to R: Walter Pierce, Tom Pierce, Carl Tanini, Les Pierce, Dutch Pierce)

Photograph of my Great Uncle Bill Pierce (1901 - 1945) taken while standing on the dive ladder just before putting his helmet on. Bill passed away in August of 1945 just off the coast of San Simeon in a diving accident when the boat’s propeller cut through his air hose.

My mother Toni at her home in Morro Bay on C Street along with her yearbook from Morro Bay High School Class of 1963. This corner property was owned by the Pierce Family and was next door to the Pierce Brothers Abalone Shop. I am so blessed to come from the most perfect parents.

Maria Concepcion Boronda (1820-1906) married Olivier M. Deleissegues in 1837. She was later granted the Rancho Potrero de San Luis Obispo Mexican Land Grant in San Luis Obispo County. Maria would later trade the Rancho Potrero for the La Loma Adobe and adjoining land owned by Francisco Quintana in 1859.

One of the many articles appearing in the San Luis Obispo Daily Telegram between 1929 and 1935 covering the land dispute with the Toro Creek Indians.  After their initial loss in Superior Court, the U.S. Department of Justice intervened to represent my ancestor’s family on appeal which they eventually lost. 

My Grandfather and his brothers ran this processing shop in Morro Bay beginning in the 1930’s. It was known as Paladini’s as the Pierce’s were contracting with the A. Paladini Company of San Francisco to sell the abalone they caught.

L to R: Tom Dellard, Harvey Valentine, and my Great Uncle Adrian “Dutch” Pierce. Dutch shared with me many family stories over the years including how he spent much of his time running the business office for the Pierce Brothers as he used to get seasick. He is greatly missed.

L to R: Unknown, Tom Dellard, and my Grandfather Eddie Pierce. My grandfather left us many of the tools he used to use while working in the fishing industry and shared many stories. The most important of those stories had to do with life, hard work, and the importance of family. He passed away in 2004.

The Encinales Indians Adobe was the home to my 3x Great Grandfather, Eusebio Encinales.  Located 10 miles northwest of the San Antonia Mission, it became the home to my ancestors after losing their land to the fraudulent Milpitas Land Grant in the 1800s. (C. Hart Merriam Collection, Bancroft Library 15/R/X/P3:2)

Wedding photograph of my Great Grandparents: Toro Creek Indian María Antonia Bylon and Edward Romeo Pierce. They met at the Toro Creek Indian Settlement located between Morro Bay and Atascadero.

My Grandmother Virginia Lenore Deleissegues (1914-1965) in Morro Bay. She was the daughter of Alexander J. Deleissegues and his wife Hilda Mae. She and her husband, Toro Creek Indian Eddie Pierce, had three daughters, Hilda, Judy, and my mother Toni.

Built in the late 1700s and purchased by Francisco Quintana in 1852, this adobe was eventually acquired by my 3x Great Grandmother Maria Concepcion Boronda in 1859 as a trade for property located just northeast of present-day San Luis Obispo.  She eventually sold the property in 1887 to John Corbett of Corbett Canyon.

Photograph of Alexander J. Deleissegues (1880 - 1970) and his family taken in Avila Beach in the 1920s.  Pictured are his wife Hilda Mae and his kids Jean, Blanche, my Grandmother Virginia, Bill, and Theda.  My mother speaks of him quite a bit and we have so many great family photos of him in our scrapbooks.

Maria Severina (Ceberina Teodora) Bylon Rosas (1869 - 1937) was my Great Grandmother’s sister. One of the many Toro Creek Indians located at the Toro Creek Indian Settlement. This photograph was taken during better times before the loss of their land in San Luis Obispo Superior Court.

Photograph of my Great Uncle Adrian “Dutch” Pierce (1905 - 1992), son of Toro Creek Indian Maria Antonia Bylon, in Morro Bay. Dutch was part of the Pierce Family Fisheries and also owned The Abalone Cafe and Grocery at the intersection of Atascadero Road and Roosevelt Highway (Hwy 41 and Hwy 1 today).

My Grandfather Edward “Eddie” Pierce (1914 - 2004) on the beach in Morro Bay.  This photo was taken in the late 1930s and shows my grandfather looking at some damage to his boat (“The Peanuts”) that needed to be repaired.  On the left is his original diving helmet that he left to my mother when he passed away.

Photograph of my Native Indian ancestor’s family at the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse taken by John P. Harrington. L to R: Maria Jesusa Encinales, G.W. L’Hommedieu (Light Keeper), Maria de Los Angeles Bylon Encinales, Juan Romero, and José Bylon. (Smithsonian Institute NAA: Salinan Frame 81-14089)

One of the Cultural Placename trips taken with my ancestor’s family as recorded by Smithsonian Linguist J.P. Harrington throughout San Luis Obispo and Monterey Counties.  This trip began at the Toro Creek Indian Settlement and travelled to Morro Bay then up to San Simeon. (Smithsonian NAA: Salinan Reel 88)

One of the Cultural Placename trips taken with my ancestor’s family recorded by Smithsonian Linguist J.P. Harrington throughout San Luis Obispo and Monterey Counties.  This trip began in Parkfield and travelled through San Luis Obispo County to record the Carizzo Plains Painted Rocks. (Smithsonian NAA: Salinan Reel 88)

Toro Creek Indian and son of Maria Antonia Bylon, Les Pierce (1902 - 1988) did many interviews over the years about the Toro Creek Indian Settlement and the Indian graves that have been abandoned due to the loss of Indian property. He was an incredible role model for me and shared many stories before passing in 1988.