Nathan Harrison was San Diego County's first African American homesteader, and a local legend who called Palomar Mountain home during the late 1800s and early 1900s. During this time period, Sundown Towns were common, and it was illegal for anyone with ties to the Native American community to own a firearm; however photographic and archaeological evidence indicates that Harrison owned at least one firearm. This thesis will use archaeological findings from the Nathan "Nate" Harrison Archaeological Project to establish if recently recovered firearms from off site did, in fact, belong to him. It will also explore the ideologies that would have led Harrison to keep this weapon and others hidden from the public.
