Native American architecture—California
Native American architecture in California reflects the region's diverse climates and the materials available to its Indigenous peoples. From the foggy northern coast to the arid southern deserts, various dwelling types evolved to meet the needs of different communities. Common materials included earth, wood, brush, sand, and bark, which were used to construct structures for various purposes such as winter and summer homes, sweatbaths, food storage, and ceremonial spaces.
In northern California, large rectangular plank houses made from cedar featured pitched roofs and excavated floors, while semi-subterranean earth-covered homes with circular entrances were prevalent. Central California is characterized by the Earthlodge, which had an excavated floor, an earth roof, and small access points. The southern regions saw the construction of dome-shaped brush structures known as wickiups, alongside sand-roofed houses supported by four posts.
With the arrival of Spanish colonizers, architectural practices evolved to include adobe brick constructions resembling those in Mexico, leading to the development of mud-thatched homes. Additionally, the roundhouse emerged as a significant communal space for gatherings and dances, showcasing the influence of European contact on Native architectural forms. Overall, California's Indigenous architecture is a testament to the adaptability and resourcefulness of its Native peoples.
Native American architecture—California
Tribes affected: Achumawi, Atsugewi, Chemehuevi, Chumash, Costano, Cupeño, Gabrielino, Hupa, Juaneño, Kamia, Karok, Kateo, Luiseño, Maidu, Mattole, Miwok, Patwin, Pomo, Quechan, Salinan, Serrano, Shasta, Tolowa, Tubatulabal, Wailaki, Wintun, Wiyot, Yahi, Yana, Yokuts, Yuki, Yurok
Significance: Indian architecture in California was of a wide variety because of climatic variations throughout the state
The Indians of California lived in climates ranging from foggy, damp coastlands in the north to dry desert regions in the south. Using materials available in their natural environment, they constructed homes of earth, wood, brush, sand, or bark. Buildings were used for summer and winter houses, dance chambers, food storage, and sweatbaths.
In the north, large rectangular plank houses were made of cedar, sometimes having several pitched roofs and excavated floors. Sweathouses for male clan members were made of wood and had wood or earth floors. Earth-covered semi-subterranean houses were common. These had circular side door openings which had to be crawled through.
The most common form of Indian architecture in the California region, and most characteristic of the central region, was the earthlodge. This pit house was a small structure with an excavated earth floor, an earth roof, and a roof smoke hole, which was also used for entry. Ladders ran up the sides of such dwellings in order to gain access to the entry hole. Small slat openings in the lower sides of the earthlodges could be used to crawl through.
Dwellings made of willow poles, tule, brush, or bark had round or cone-shaped roofs and were used by the California region Indian. These structures were covered with bark slabs in winter for greater protection from the cold and could house many families. Ceremonial halls and men’s sweathouses were smaller circular or rectangular buildings of the same type.
In the southern regions, dome-shaped brush structures such as the wickiup as well as four-post sand-roofed houses were built. After the arrival of the Spanish, adobe bricks were used and made into mud-thatched one-room homes much like those found in neighboring Mexico.
The roundhouse, largely the result of European contact, was a large, round assembly or dance hall made of wood with metal nails and split shingles.