José Antonio Aguirre (early Californian) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
José Antonio Aguirre
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| Born | 1799 |
| Died | July 31, 1860 |
| Nationality |  Spanish (1799-1821) Mexican (1821-1848) American (1848-1862) |
| Occupation | merchant and rancher |
José Antonio Aguirre (1799–1860), also known as "Don Antonio," was an important merchant and rancher. He was born in Spain and became an early settler in Alta California. He helped build the towns of San Diego and Santa Barbara, California.
Contents
A Life of Trade and Land
José Antonio Aguirre was born in San Sebastián, Spain. When he was about 15 years old, he moved to North America. He first settled in New Orleans, Louisiana. As countries changed control of the land, he became a citizen of Mexico and later the United States.
From Merchant to Shipowner
Aguirre started his career as a merchant in Guaymas, Mexico. Later, he moved to Alta California, which is now California, USA. There, he became a shipowner and a trader. He lived in both San Diego and Santa Barbara. In 1842, people said his home in Santa Barbara was the finest in town.
He built a large storage building, called a warehouse, at La Playa. This was a beach near San Diego where ships would stop to trade. He sent out animal hides (skins) and tallow (animal fat) from San Diego. He also brought in fancy goods for the Californios, like silks and embroidered shawls. In the late 1830s, he worked with another Spanish trader, Miguel Pedrorena. Pedrorena later became his brother-in-law. Soon, Aguirre became one of the richest merchants in Alta California.
Family and Land Ownership
Aguirre became good friends with the important Californio families. In 1841, he married María Francisca Estudillo. She was the oldest daughter of José Antonio Estudillo, a well-known landowner. José and Francisca moved into the beautiful home he built in Santa Barbara. Sadly, Francisca died in October 1842, during the birth of their first child. Aguirre never lived in that house again, but he still owned it. He spent more and more time trading along the coast and living in San Diego.
In 1843, Aguirre received half of the Rancho El Tejón land grant from Mexico. In 1846, he married Francisca's sister, María del Rosario Estudillo. They settled in San Diego. People usually called them Don Antonio and Doña Rosario. Their San Diego home was finished in 1851. His wife, Doña Rosario, was given the Rancho San Jacinto Sobrante land grant. Aguirre also owned parts of Santa Cruz Island and Rancho San Pedro. This made him one of the biggest landowners in Alta California in the late 1840s. In 1853, José Antonio Aguirre bought Rancho San Jacinto Nuevo y Potrero from Miguel Pedrorena's family.
Helping San Diego Grow
In 1850, Aguirre joined William Heath Davis and Miguel Pedrorena. They tried to start a new town south of the old San Diego town. This new town would be closer to the San Diego Bay.
In 1858, Aguirre bought land and paid to build an adobe church in San Diego. At that time, there were only private chapels. The main church at the Presidio and the Mission church were both in ruins.
José Antonio Aguirre died on July 31, 1860. He was buried in the church he had given to the town.
Family Life
In 1841, José Antonio Aguirre married María Francisca Estudillo. She was the oldest daughter of the important landowner José Antonio Estudillo. After Francisca's death, he married her sister, María del Rosario Estudillo.
José and Maria del Rosario Aguirre had four children who lived:
- Miguel (born August 25, 1849)
- María de los Dolores del Rosario (born August 6, 1851), who later married Francisco Pico
- José Antonio (born 1856)
- Martin Geronimo (born September 21, 1858)
On the day José Sr. died, July 31, 1860, another daughter named Maria Antonia was born. However, she passed away in November 1861.
Legacy in San Diego
José Antonio Aguirre's San Diego home, called Casa de Aguirre, is still standing today. It is located in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. The house has been restored and now has museum displays and a gift shop.
The church he built, known as the Old Adobe Chapel, was taken down in the 1930s because of street changes. But it was rebuilt in 1937. The rebuilt chapel holds many items from the original building, including Aguirre's tombstone.
See also
In Spanish: José Antonio Aguirre (pionero) para niños
