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By Dr. Scott White

A map of Alta California missions and ranchos. Image courtesy of California Missions Foundation.

The English word ranch is derived from the Spanish word rancho.

Ranchos, first established during Spanish rule and later continued under the Mexican flag, were large land grants given to individuals who had been loyal to the Spanish Crown or later to the newly independent government in Mexico.

For decades, there was an effort to populate the territories of Alta California and Ranchos became the system of choice. Some ranchos were awarded during the mission period, but a vast number of Alta California ranchos were awarded after the secularization of the missions in 1834.

While Spanish exploration along the San Diego Harbor began in 1542, colonization of these lands began much later. Jesuits started establishing missions in Alta California around the 1760s with the support of the Spanish Crown to bring the Spanish culture to Native Americans living there with the benefit of claiming control of large regions of land with fewer people. A presidio, or military fort, would be constructed with a small contingent of soldiers assigned to protect the mission and its occupants. Ranchos were then created to raise livestock, grazing cattle and sheep near these presidios. The majority of rancho workers were Native Americans. They performed almost all of the roles, including working as vaqueros.

After the mission system was discontinued (after the Spanish were overthrown in Mexico), California land grants were given to approximately 500 more recipients who created their own ranchos. The Spanish land grants were awarded between 1784 and 1821. The Mexican land grants began in 1784 and lasted until 1846.

Vaqueros of the Mexican Rancho era were known as excellent horsemen and were mostly Native Americans. Photo courtesy of the Sonoma Index-Tribune.

At the time, the cattle had roamed free and multiplied. It was only necessary to gather some of the cattle, and perhaps borrow a bull from the missions, (an act that had to be paid for eventually) and begin ranching. Anyone who needed meat was expected to take any cattle, leaving the hide for the owner. It was only after California became part of the United States (after the Mexican – American War in 1847), that this sharing of cattle would be considered theft. Before the annexation of California in 1848, raising cattle became the major economy there. Even though California became a state in 1850, land grants were allowed to continue as private property under American law. 

The era of California ranchos ended shortly after the Mexican – American War. When California became part of the United States, rancho owners needed to prove to the U.S. government that the land belonged to them. Since it was very costly to hire lawyers to defend property, most rancheros wound up selling off their land to pay their expenses. By the end of the 1860s, most of the ranchos in California had been broken up and sold to new owners.

Popular Ranchos

Most ranchos in California were broken up over a century ago, but you can visit some of their original sites to better understand life during the rancho era. Many have become state parks or historical monuments open to the public.

Rancho Camulos

One of the most famous ranchos in California is Rancho Camulos, which began in 1833 as the Rancho San Franciso located in Ventura County. This rancho belonged to Antonio del Valle. After his death, his son, Ygnacio, inherited the rancho. For more information, visit ranchocamulos.org.

Rancho San Pedro

One of the earliest land grants in Alta California, Rancho San Pedro was received by Juan Jose Dominguez around 1784 and was 48,000 acres in Los Angeles County. Today, visitors can tour the Dominquez Rancho Adobe Museum. Visit dominguezrancho.org for more information.

Rancho Petaluma

Granted by Gov. Manuel Micheltorena in 1834, Rancho Petaluma became the home to General Mariano Guadelupe Vallejo in Sanoma County. At the time it was built, this 66,622-acre rancho was the largest and richest rancho in northern Alta California. It is now a California historic landmark, and the adobe is a state historic park open to visitors. Visit California Department of Parks and Recreation for more information.

Pío Pico Rancho

Originally granted to Crispín Pérez in 1835, this rancho in Los Angeles County eventually became the home of Pío Pico, Mexican California’s last governor. Pico deemed the rancho “El Ranchito” since it was small at 8,000 acres compared to his other properties. Today, the rancho is a State Historic Park. Visit California Department of Parks and Recreation for more information. In addition, Pico arranged to receive another land grant with his brother amounting to 133,440 acres. It was named the Santa Margarita y Las Flores Rancho and later became Rancho Mission Viejo.

Early Southern California Rancho Cattle Brands

These early ranchos occupied much of the land along the Pacific coast during the early years of colonization. However, the traditions related to raising cattle created and used by the Spanish vaqueros have remained. These were some of the earliest California cattle brands. Photo courtesy of University of Southern California Libraries.


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