This image snows the borders of the California Historical Landmark 1061, Site of New Albion.

Original: Google Earth image. Derivative Image by Michael Von der Porten..

Original: Caltrans roadside sign/public domain. Derivative Image by Michael Von der Porten..

Drake’s Cove lies within the boundaries of Point Reyes National Seashore. It is recessed under the cliffs overlooking Drake’s Estero and lies roughly 200 yards north of Drake’s Bay.  During Drake’s stay at this location, several important first events occurred:

• English claim to what would become the United States

• English encroachment on indigenous people’s lands in what would become the United States

• Interactions between native peoples and Europeans in northern California, all which were personally friendly and peaceful relations over five weeks

• Use of the term Nova Albion (New England) for the USA which refers to the white cliffs at Drakes Bay

•  Use of the English language in the future United States

•  Protestant church service in the future United States·    

•  Use of the Book of Common Prayer in the future United States

• European contact in northern California

•  Black persons in California, people freed from Spanish enslavement by Drake

•  Hispanic person in northern California, including de Moreno who stayed in California and trekked on a four year journey back to Mexico

•  Material deposit of Asian trade goods in California

The California Historical Landmark (CHL) program is a result of The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 which called for the preservation of historically significant sites across America. Pursuant to that legislation, each individual state created a historic preservation office. California’s Office of Historic Preservation was established in 1975 and placed under the authority of the California State Parks Director. 

The California Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) is responsible for the operation and management of the Office of Historic Preservation. The SHPO also serves as the

executive secretary to the State Historical Resources Commission whose members include professionals in the fields of history and archaeology.  As part of these preservation efforts, CHLs are designated to worthy sites.

While any member of the public may make a nomination, eligibility as a CHL is only met when at least one of the following criteria is present:

• The first, last, only, or most significant of its type in the state or within a large geographic region (Northern, Central, or Southern California).

• Associated with an individual or group having a profound influence on the history of California.

• A prototype of, or an outstanding example of, a period, style, architectural movement or construction or is one of the more notable works or the best surviving work in a region of a pioneer architect, designer or master builder.

In 2019, president Steve Wright and vice-president Michael Von der Porten of the Drake Navigators Guild (DNG) met with Superintendent Cicely Muldoon of Point Reyes National Seashore who expressed her immediate support for such a nomination.  They subsequently met with Julianne Polanco, the California SHPO, who listened and encouraged them to submit a CHL application.  Consequently, the DNG began the application process.

The California Historical Landmark application was encapsulated as: The Site of New Albion is the landing site and encampment of Sir Francis Drake's expedition to California in 1579, located in the coast of Marin County. This was the site where Drake met with the Coast Miwok people. The site is a National Historic Landmark and is significant for its association with an individual or group, Sir Francis Drake and the voyage of the Golden Hind, who had a profound influence on the history of California.

The DNG filed the application which was evaluated by the Office of Historic Preservation historians for nomination as a CHL.  After this step was completed, the staff forwarded it to the full Commission for their inquiry and review.  The nomination was also posted on the state’s Office of Historic Preservation website for public review and comment.  During this time, commentators—including archaeologists and historians—from Canada, Great Britain, California, and Oregon, forwarded their support.  All comments were in support of the landmark status—no one objected.

A public hearing of the Commissioners was held on August 14, 2020.  Since this was a time of COVID-19 restrictions, the meeting was conducted on the Zoom digital platform which vastly increased accessibility to those who lived in distant locations.  During the hearing, the Commission gave its unanimous support to the nomination and forwarded it to Director Armando Quintero of the California State Parks.  With his signature on October 6, 2021, the Landmark status was official.  Among those who sent their congratulations was His Royal Highness, The Prince Wales, who is currently Charles III of the United Kingdom.

During the roughly 14 month interval before his signature, the nomination sailed through and remained unchallenged. The DNG’s work was affirmed again.