Esselen

The Esselen Native American people were a small, distinct Californian tribe inhabiting a 25-mile stretch of coast in present-day Monterey County. Historically they also ranged over ten miles inland in pursuit of resources and trade goods. The name Esselen is from the Indian word eslenes, meaning village. Other variations of the indigenous groups name include Eseklen, Ekklemaches, and Excelen. The first Dominican mission was established in traditional Esselen territory at the town of Monterey in 1770; the san Carlos mission was eventually moved to Carmel and the first Esselen Native American was baptized there in 1775. By 1790 virtually the entire Esselen Native American tribe had been converted to Christianity. Prior to Euroamerican contact the Esselen numbered between 500 and 1,000.

Name: Esselen, from the Indian word eslenes, meaning village. Also transcribed as Eseklen, Ekklemaches, and Excelen.

Location: A 25-mile area along the central coast of California from Point Sur to Point Lopez in Monterey County, California.

Population: Between 500 and 1,000 in 1770; none today, but there are about 80 Esselen descendants recognized as the Carmel Mission Indians.

Language Family: Hokan.

First Contact by Euroamericans: 1769, Dominican priest Father Junipero Serra arrives in the port of San Diego to establish the first mission in Alta, California.

Current Tribal Status: There are approximately 80 Esselen Native American descendants recognized as the Carmel Mission Indians.

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