Peoples of the Canal- A Story of 20,000 Years

The Peoples of the Canal

A Story of 20,000 Years

the story

San Rafael’s Canal, meeting the S.F. Bay shoreline, may have been visited or occupied by humans for tens of thousands of years, migrating from the north, most recently by the Coast Miwok for over ten thousand years, “since time immemorial”, and today by more recent descendants of European, Asian and Pre-Columbian cultures. It is a story with hidden chapters. We are creating it over two miles of the San Rafael Shoreline Path, an interactive timeline, a history of the people and their relation to the land and water, in the voices of its occupants, through archeology, written and spoken evidence, and creative imagination. This is a collaboration of historians, scientists, artists, writers, and poets, and the living community of the Canal.

Key Features

The story will be told at twenty interactive interpretive stations along the San Rafael Shoreline Path – in English and Spanish – to both adult and youth readers, with text and illustration, audio and video. Each tenth of a mile walk will feature a new chapter.

Path Start

The journey begins at the southern end of the 2-mile path at the Jean and John Starkweather Park beach and parking area near the Marin end of the Richmond-San Rafael bridge.

Path End

The final station is at the Albert J. Boro Community Center and Pickleweed Park/Library with the present and a vision of possible futures for the Canal community.

Watch the video

Soar over the San Rafael Shoreline Path and see a simulated version of the signage installed.

Imagine the Future

Slide to see the future exterior.

The Peoples of the Canal Mural

A mural by Oscar Morales and Vladimir Cuevas, selected in an international competition depicts the Canal’s history, immigration, cultures, and future. It will enliven the front exterior of the Albert J. Boro Community Center and Pickleweed Park/Library – the final station of the Peoples of the Canal timeline.