Historian, archeologist and Sun columnist George McKale has just been retained by the city council in his post as City Historian. McKale and his wife, Tory, have resided in Sonoma since 1996 and have four sons. Here’s George on the Indiana Jones factor, a snake-covered discovery and the importance of understanding the past.
THE SUN: Just what does a historian do, anyway?
GEORGE McKALE: This historian, according to my wife, has never read a novel. That is not quite true, but pretty close. I do read history books. For a living, I write environmental reports that use history as a means to put into context, the significance of a building, or bridge, or archaeological site.
SUN: Where did you study?
GM: I got my Bachelors degree at San Jose State in anthropology and my Masters at Sonoma State University in Cultural Resources Management.
SUN: You are also an archaeologist, so right away we think Indiana Jones, right?
GM: I can’t tell you how much archaeologists appreciate that comparison. The pinnacle of our career achievements is to receive the Indiana Jones award. The next time you meet an archaeologist, ask them if they have ever won it. After you ask, you had better run.
SUN: When did you first become interested in these fields? As a kid, did you look for mummies in the basement?
GM: I’ve been interested in finding “things” as long as I can remember. My poor mother had to endure years of artifacts proudly displayed in my room, which was also a makeshift museum. Artifacts included rusty nails, dead things with skin, bullet shells, brick chunks, etc.
SUN: What was you most Indiana Jones-like moment?
GM: I was in the jungle near Sayulita, Mexico. While looking for snakes, I came across a mound-like structure covered with vegetation. I knew right away the vegetation hid a religious platform, a ceremonial center and a precursor to the great pyramids. Around the mound were large obisidian flakes and tools, ceramics, shells, and bone. It was a great feeling to find something like this off the beaten path, particularly the tourist path.
SUN: What’s your go-to story to tell at parties?
GM: I always start off by telling how great my wife is. Then, I embark on a self-indulgent tale of my archaeological journeys through time. There was a particularly interesting burial, about 2000 years old, well-preserved, of a boy about ten years of age. I was excavating in the other valley known as Napa. The child had approximately 10,000 shell beads draped around the cervical vertebra (his neck). It was probable that this was the son of an important individual in the tribe.
SUN: What are some of your favorite historical oddities about Sonoma?
GM: I get weird stories from locals all the time. There is a story about canons found in old wells around the Plaza. I have heard about three different locations in which canons were found during recent construction and thrown in old hand-dug wells — to hide them from the preservation police, historians, city council, and the planning department.
SUN: Of what discoveries or research are you most proud?
GM: Every time I conduct research, I’m proud to have the experience of learning more about the past. Every location has a past filled with stories of hope, despair, happiness and joy. Novels are written about the human experience, which boils down to an understanding of the past. For me, more than anything, it’s fun.
SUN: What does it mean to you to be City Historian?
GM: The City Historian position is primarily one of public relations. Personally, I think it is a nice touch that when foreign visitors come to our historic town they are also greeted by the historian. Often, my presentation to such visitors lasts about two minutes. Nonetheless I try to express how Sonomans are proud of their historical heritage. Also because of my background with environmental law, I contribute my two-cents to the interpretation of laws pertaining to historical resources to our Planning Department. I enjoy the exchange of ideas I have had with the Planning Department, City Council, and members of the public.
SUN: What lessons should local history teach?
GM: Understanding local history should give us a better understanding of the area in which we live. This, theoretically, should help us make decisions in terms of growth and preservation. I am amazed at the number of people I meet that do not know that this part of California was once part of Mexico. I have met people that thought Mariano Vallejo was a politician from the east coast. Recently I had a conversation with a group of people that were under the impression that Sonoma was about 400 years old. We are celebrating our 175th anniversary this year. Understanding where we came from is a basic tenet to understanding where we are going.
— Val Robichaud | The Sonoma Valley Sun
