History
Archaeological research has shown that San Miguel Island was first settled by humans at least 12,000 years ago, in the Millingstone Horizon archaeological period. Because the northern Channel Islands have not been connected to the adjacent mainland in recent geological history, the Paleo-Indians who first settled the island clearly had boats and other maritime technologies. Rough seas and risky landings did not daunt the Chumash people who used Tomols to reach their settlements, there for centuries.
The first European explorer to land was the Spanish-Portuguese explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo in 1542, who died on the island and is buried there. Ranchers raised sheep here from 1850 to 1948. One of the longest homesteaded Ranchers were the Lesters, a family of four that parted their way from the island during Pearl Harbor due to the dangers the war posed on them. The detailed information was written and published in a book called "The Legendary King of San Miguel Island," by Elizabeth Sherman Lester.
Later, the United States Navy used the island for a bombing range.
Read more about this topic: San Miguel Island
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