Tribal Historic Preservation Office

Tribal Historic Preservation Office
Pala’s Tribal Historic Preservation Office (THPO) was recognized by the National Park Service in 2009. The THPO is responsible for managing, protecting, and overseeing historic and cultural sites within the Pala Reservation boundaries. We also engage in regular government-to-government consultation on projects that take place outside Pala.

Traditional Territory
Pala’s traditional territory stretches all the way from the original village of Cupa in Warner Springs, to the mouth of the San Luis Rey River in Oceanside. There are many important cultural and sacred sites to protect within this area, and the Pala THPO consults on all of them to make sure the tribe’s heritage is protected.

Educational and Cultural Projects
The THPO is also involved in educational and cultural projects within Pala, such as restoring the Blacktooth House and the Calac Adobe and planting a native ethnobotany garden. The THPO oversees a large historical collection of baskets that were made by weavers who lived in and around Pala in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Archives
We also manage an archive of archaeological site records, historical records, photographs, and other archival materials.