History of the Cuyama Valley

It is interesting to note that before the arrival of European settlers, the area of New Cuyama was inhabited by Native Americans who were culturally and politically associated with the Chumash coastal tribes on the other side of the mountains that divide Cuyama from the inland coastal valleys and shoreline area. The area is the site of noted Native American rock art paintings, and the early European settlers reported on the presence of small villages along the Cuyama River. While it would appear geographically that the Cuyama Valley would have been inhabited by tribes related to the Central Valley of California, this was not the case.

So, in historic, as well as prehistoric, times, the Cuyama Valley has been tied culturally and politically to the coastal areas of Santa Barbara County.

When the Valley was settled by Europeans in the 1800s, they established large ranchos for cattle and horse breeding. Today the largest ranches that remain are held by both Anglo American and Mexican American owners, and the residents that work on these ranchos are primarily Spanish speaking Mexican immigrants or migrant workers. There is no industry in the area, and there is a need to develop telecommuting and home based business opportunities for youth and families.