The animals which have given the Antelope Valley its namesake are coincidentally not antelopes at all. Pronghorns (Antilocapra americana) have long been mistaken for and referred to as antelopes due to their close physical similarities with the true antelope of Eurasia. Pronghorns are endemic to North America and once ranged over the majority of the Western plains.
There are many reports from early settlers, hunters, and travelers recording sightings of pronghorns in the Antelope Valley. Locally caught and butchered pronghorn meat was often sold to local hotels in the valley. This photo (c. 1903), shows Antonio Araujo and his daughter Sally at La Liebre Ranch. Sally is pictured standing next to a supposedly tame pronghorn fawn.
Photo courtesy of MOAH Collections
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