List of governors of California before 1850 facts for kids

Gaspar de Portolá, the first governor of California when it was a Spanish territory.

Don Pío Pico, the last governor of Mexican California.

This article tells you about the leaders, called governors, who ruled California from 1769 to 1850. This was before California became the 31st state of the United States.

California was first explored by Gaspar de Portolá. Spain set up colonies there, like San Diego and Monterey. Back then, California was a faraway Spanish area, part of a bigger Spanish territory called New Spain. In 1822, Mexico became independent from Spain, and California became part of Mexico.

Later, in 1836, some local Californians, called Californios, led by Juan Bautista Alvarado and José Castro, took control. Alvarado became governor. This conflict ended in 1838 when the Mexican government officially recognized Alvarado as California's governor.

Another disagreement over who should be governor happened in 1844. It was settled when Pio Pico, another Californio, became the last governor of Mexican California. In 1846, a group in Sonoma declared California an independent country, calling it the "Bear Flag Republic." However, no real government was formed, and this new republic didn't last long. Less than a month later, the United States military took over California at the start of the Mexican-American War. California was given to the U.S. in 1848. On September 9, 1850, California officially became the 31st U.S. state. Peter Burnett, who was the last governor of the military territory after the war, became California's first state governor.

Spanish Rule in California (1769–1822)

The Spanish Empire began its rule in California in 1769. At that time, the area called the Californias was huge. It included what is now the U.S. state of California (called Alta California) and the Baja California region in Mexico. These areas were all managed by a military governor. In 1804, the Californias were split into two separate areas: Alta California, with its main city in Monterey, and Baja California, based in Loreto.

Spanish Governors of Las Californias (1769–1804)

From 1769 to 1804, both parts of California were governed as one area under the Spanish Empire. After 1804, Alta California and Baja California each had their own leaders.

No.	Portrait	Governor	Took office	Left office	Notes
1st		Gaspar de Portolá (1716–1786)	1767	1770	Led the first Spanish expedition to explore California. Founded the city of Monterey.
2nd		Felipe de Barri (1700s–1784)	1770	1774	Was the official governor, but Pedro Fages had military control over Alta California.
Acting		Pedro Fages (1734–1794)	1770	1774	Had military control over Alta California while Barri was the official governor.
3rd		Fernando Rivera y Moncada (1725–1781)	1774	1777	Helped found the city of San Francisco.
4th		Felipe de Neve (1724–1784)	1777	1782	Founded the cities of Los Angeles and San Jose.
5th		Pedro Fages (1734–1794)	1782	1791	Served as acting military governor before becoming the official governor.
6th		José Antonio Roméu (1734–1794)	1791	1792	Died shortly after becoming governor.
Interim		José Joaquín de Arrillaga (1750–1814)	1792	1794	Served as temporary governor after Roméu's death.
7th		Diego de Borica (1742–1800)	1794	1800	Founded the town of Branciforte.
Interim		Pedro de Alberní y Teixidor (1742–1800)	1800	1800	Served as temporary governor.
8th		José Joaquín de Arrillaga (1750–1814)	1800	1804	Was governor until California was split into two parts in 1804. Later became the first governor of Alta California.

Spanish Governors of Alta California (1804–1822)

After the Californias were divided in 1804, Alta California got its own government. José Joaquín de Arrillaga, who had been the governor of both Californias, became the first governor of Alta California.

Mexican Rule in California (1822–1846)

After Mexico won its independence from Spain, both parts of California became part of the new country of Mexico in 1822. Mexican rule was interrupted from 1836 to 1838 by a movement for independence led by Juan Bautista Alvarado. He was even called the President of Alta California for a time. However, Alvarado later talked with the Mexican government. This led to the independence movement ending, with Alvarado being recognized as governor and California getting more freedom from Mexico. This re-established Mexican rule until 1846.

Mexican Governors of Alta California (1822–1836)

No.	Portrait	Governor	Took office	Left office	Notes
3rd		Luis Antonio Argüello (1784–1830)	1822	1825	Was the first governor born in California.
4th		José María de Echeandía (1800s–1871)	1825	1831	Declared that all Native Californians at the missions were free in 1826.
5th		Manuel Victoria (1700s–1833)	1831	1832	His time as governor was short because he was unpopular. He was overthrown by Californios after a battle in 1831.
Interim		José María de Echeandía (1800s–1871)	1832	1833	Served as temporary governor after Victoria was overthrown.
6th		José Figueroa (1792–1835)	1833	1835	Oversaw the process of taking control of the California missions from the church.
Interim		José Castro (1808–1860)	1835	1836	Was named temporary governor after Figueroa resigned due to poor health.
Interim		Nicolás Gutiérrez (1700s–1800s)	1836	1836	Served as temporary governor until Mariano Chico arrived.
7th		Mariano Chico (1796–1850)	1836	1836	Was forced to leave California after a popular uprising against his rule.
Interim		Nicolás Gutiérrez (1700s–1800s)	1836	1836	Became temporary governor again after Chico left. Was soon removed by a Californio uprising led by Juan Bautista Alvarado, who declared California independent.

President of Alta California (1836–1837)

After the unpopular governors Gutiérrez and Chico, Juan Bautista Alvarado led a successful uprising of Californios in 1836. They removed Gutiérrez, declared Alta California independent from Mexico, and named Alvarado as its president. Alvarado controlled California until he started talking with the Mexican government in 1837. This led to the end of Alta California's independence. In return, Alvarado was recognized as Governor of Alta California, and the region gained more freedom from Mexico.

No.	Portrait	Governor	Took office	Left office	Notes
1st		Juan Bautista Alvarado (1809–1882)	1836	1837	Led an uprising against the Mexican government and declared Alta California independent. Was named President of Alta California. Later agreed to become governor under Mexican rule in exchange for more local control.

Mexican Governors of California (1837–1847)

While Juan Bautista Alvarado was in control as President of Alta California, the Mexican government appointed Carlos Antonio Carrillo as governor to try and regain control. But Carrillo was not successful. So, Alvarado and the Mexican government negotiated an end to the conflict. Alvarado gave up the idea of independence in exchange for more local control and the official governorship. This brought back Mexican rule over Alta California.

No.	Portrait	Governor	Took office	Left office	Notes
Nominated		Carlos Antonio Carrillo (1783–1852)	1837	1837	Was nominated by Mexico to take back control from Alvarado. Was unable to gain control, so Mexico negotiated with Alvarado instead.
8th		Juan Bautista Alvarado (1809–1882)	1837	1842	After talks with the Mexican government, he gave up his independence movement and was appointed governor.
9th		Manuel Micheltorena (1804–1853)	1842	1845	Was removed as governor after losing a battle.
10th		Pío Pico (1801–1894)	1845	1846	Became governor after the previous governor was removed. After the American takeover of California, the U.S. Military Governor took control.
Nominated		José María Flores (1818–1866)	1846	1847	Was nominated governor during the Mexican-American War to try and win California back for Mexico. Despite some victories, he could not re-establish Mexican rule.
Nominated		Andrés Pico (1810–1876)	1847	1847	Served as acting governor for three days. Signed the treaty that ended the American takeover of California.

American Rule in California

After the American takeover of California, the U.S. military began to rule the area in 1846. Military governors were in charge until 1849. Then, efforts led by Bennet C. Riley resulted in the creation of the first Constitution of California at a meeting in Monterey. This led to civilian rule, with Peter Hardeman Burnett being elected as the first governor of California. Soon after, California was officially admitted as a state.

U.S. Military Governors of California (1846–1849)

No.	Portrait	Governor	Took office	Left office	Notes
1st		John D. Sloat (1781–1867)	1846	1846	Was the commander who led the American takeover of California. Served as military governor for 22 days after capturing Monterey.
2nd		Robert F. Stockton (1795–1866)	1846	1847	Successfully defeated Mexican forces trying to reclaim California.
3rd		John C. Frémont (1813–1890)	1847	1847	Was appointed by Stockton as his replacement. Was later removed after a military court case.
4th		Stephen W. Kearny (1794–1848)	1847	1847	Became military governor after Frémont was removed.
5th		Richard Barnes Mason (1797–1850)	1847	1849	Was military governor when the California Gold Rush began.
6th		Persifor Frazer Smith (1798–1858)	February 28, 1849	April 12, 1849	His short time as governor focused on helping settlers traveling to California.
7th		Bennet C. Riley (1787–1853)	1849	1849	Worked to create a civilian government and make California a state. The first Constitution of California was written during his term. Successfully handed over control to the elected civilian governor, Peter Hardeman Burnett.

See also

• Governor of California
• List of governors of California, since 1850
• List of Californios people
• The Californias
• Alta California

External links

Gobernadores de California antes de 1850#top