Gabilan, California Explained

Gabilan
Settlement Type:Former settlement
Pushpin Map:California
Pushpin Label Position:bottom
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in California
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:California
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Monterey County
Coordinates:36.5467°N -121.4942°W
Elevation M:34
Elevation Ft:112

Gabilan (Spanish: Gabilán, meaning "Sparrow hawk") was a former settlement in Monterey County, California. It was located on the Southern Pacific Railroad 4miles northwest of Gonzales, at an elevation of 112 feet (34 m), and was situated in the foothills of the Gabilan Range. In Spanish, gavilán (gabilán is an older spelling) means "sparrow hawk".[1] [2] Hawks, especially the red-tailed hawk, are common in the area.

A post office operated at Gabilan (having been transferred from Alisal) from 1869 to 1883, and from 1898 to 1900.

Notes and References

  1. Book: The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States . Govt. Print. Off. . Gannett, Henry . 1905 . 133.
  2. Book: Gudde, Edwin G.. California place names: The origin and etymology of current geographical names. 2004. University of California Press. Berkeley and Los Angeles, California. 0-520-24217-3. 140.