The name, Grapevine Canyon, is over a century and a quarter old.
It appears on the first maps of the area when John Rockfellow
surveyed here in the late 1800s, and it stems from the wild
grapevines still flourishing in the back of the canyon.
Centuries ago, geologists tell us, the Black Hill just in front
of the main gate was formed by volcanic action. The hill is
composed of greenstone, forming an underground ledge towards the
south, creating a natural barrier collecting run-off water from
the mountains. As recently as fifty years ago, the area
encircling the Black Hill was a cienega (marshy meadow), often
trapping cattle in its swamps. Probably because of this water -
most likely a lake a few centuries back - and because of the
Grapevine Canyon Creek which until recently, ran water about ten
months of the year, early people settled in the area. There are
remnants of at least two primitive Indian villages within a mile
of Grapevine Canyon - the rocky outcrops along the entrance
drive contain many bedrock mor