Reservation Era Begins 1850-1878

1860

Wiyot Indian Island Massacre (California)

Present day image of Indian Island, where the massacre took place. Image: Ellin Beltz
Present day image of Indian Island, where the massacre took place. Image: Ellin Beltz

White settlers commit three back-to-back attacks on the Wiyot in California, killing between 80 and 250 Wiyot in Humboldt County, California. Bret Harte of the Arcata Newspaper reported that the majority massacred were women, children, and elders (“List of Indian massacres”).

Traumatic Event