Jean Jacques Vioget facts for kids

Jean Jacques Vioget (1794–1855) was an adventurous Swiss man who became a surveyor and sea captain. He arrived in California in 1837. He is famous for creating the very first map of Yerba Buena in 1839. This small village later grew into the big city we know today as San Francisco! Vioget also worked for a well-known pioneer named John Sutter and later lived in San Jose. He was a talented person, known for his art, playing the violin, and speaking many languages.

Early Life and Adventures

Jean Jacques Vioget was born in Combremont-le-Petit, Switzerland, on April 22, 1794. His full name was Jean Jacob Vioget.

When he was 19, in November 1813, he joined Napoleon's army. He fought in the "Battalion of Stoffel" in April 1815 and was injured during the Battle of Wavre. After his time in the army, he learned skills from a French naval engineer.

In the 1820s, Vioget served in the Brazilian navy and became a captain. He also worked in maritime trade, sailing ships and trading goods in South America. In the early 1830s, he was the captain of a ship called the Delmire, trading along the coasts of Peru and Ecuador.

Mapping California

Vioget first arrived in San Francisco, which was then called Yerba Buena, in 1837. At that time, there were only two homes in the small village. While there, Vioget painted a beautiful watercolor picture of the San Francisco Bay. He kept this painting on his ship for two years. He returned to Yerba Buena in 1839.

In 1839, the governor, Juan B. Alvarado, asked for a map of Yerba Buena. The local leader, called an alcalde (Francisco Guerrero), hired Vioget to do this important work. Vioget's map covered the area that is now San Francisco's Financial District. He designed it with a grid of unique, trapezoidal blocks.

As payment for his work, Vioget received a piece of land on Clay Street. In 1840, he built a place called Vioget House there, which also had a billiard parlor. After the Mexican–American War, this building was renamed Portsmouth House. Vioget became a successful merchant in the city and continued to offer his skills as a surveyor.

Working with John Sutter

Vioget also worked for his fellow countryman, John Sutter. He helped Sutter by surveying his large land grants near Sacramento in 1841 and 1843. Vioget was also present when Sutter bought Fort Ross from the Russians in December 1841. He also acted as Sutter's representative in San Francisco.

Later Life in San Jose

In 1844, Governor Manuel Micheltorena gave Vioget a large piece of land called Rancho Blucher. After he married Maria Montero Benarides de Vasques in 1847, Vioget sold Rancho Blucher.

Jean Jacques Vioget spent his final years in San Jose, where he passed away in 1855. He is buried there.