Tecopa (c. 1815–1904) was a Native American leader; his name means wildcat.
[1] Tecopa was a leader of the Southern
Nevada tribe of the
Paiute in the
Ash Meadows and
Pahrump areas. In the 1840s Tecopa and his warriors engaged the expedition of
Kit Carson and
John C. Fremont in a three-day battle at
Resting Springs.
[2] Later on in life Tecopa tried to maintain peaceful relations with the white settlers to the region and was known as a peacemaker.
[3] Tecopa usually wore a bright red band suit with gold braid and a silk top hat. Whenever these clothes wore out they were replaced by the local white miners out of gratitude for Tecopa's help in maintaining peaceful relations with the Paiute.
[4]
Tecopa is buried with his son and grandson at the Chief Tecopa Cemetery in the
Pahrump Valley, Nevada.
[4]
[5]
The Census-designated place of Tecopa, California was named after Tecopa by J. B. Osbourne who was the operator of a mining camp at the location. [3]
In November 1971, Nevada Governor Mike O'Callaghan called Tecopa a leader of vision and courage and dedicated a state memorial to him at the Chief's gravesite. 15 acres (61,000 m2) of land were deeded to Nye County and became Tecopa Park. [6]
Tecopa (c. 1815–1904) was a Native American leader; his name means wildcat.
[1] Tecopa was a leader of the Southern
Nevada tribe of the
Paiute in the
Ash Meadows and
Pahrump areas. In the 1840s Tecopa and his warriors engaged the expedition of
Kit Carson and
John C. Fremont in a three-day battle at
Resting Springs.
[2] Later on in life Tecopa tried to maintain peaceful relations with the white settlers to the region and was known as a peacemaker.
[3] Tecopa usually wore a bright red band suit with gold braid and a silk top hat. Whenever these clothes wore out they were replaced by the local white miners out of gratitude for Tecopa's help in maintaining peaceful relations with the Paiute.
[4]
Tecopa is buried with his son and grandson at the Chief Tecopa Cemetery in the
Pahrump Valley, Nevada.
[4]
[5]
The Census-designated place of Tecopa, California was named after Tecopa by J. B. Osbourne who was the operator of a mining camp at the location. [3]
In November 1971, Nevada Governor Mike O'Callaghan called Tecopa a leader of vision and courage and dedicated a state memorial to him at the Chief's gravesite. 15 acres (61,000 m2) of land were deeded to Nye County and became Tecopa Park. [6]