José Darío Argüello facts for kids

José Darío Argüello (born 1753, died 1828) was an important person in early California history. He was born in Querétaro, a city in what is now Mexico. He was a politician, a soldier, and a rancher. He even served as a temporary governor of Alta California and later as the governor of Baja California.

Life Story of José Darío Argüello

José Darío Argüello was born in 1753 in Santiago de Querétaro, which was then part of New Spain. Today, this area is in Mexico.

Argüello joined the military as a private soldier. He served in a special cavalry unit called dragoons. Later, he became a sergeant in a company stationed at Altar, Sonora. In 1781, he was promoted to alférez, which is like a sub-lieutenant. He was then put in charge of building what would become the Presidio of Santa Barbara in Alta California.

Founding the City of Los Angeles

Governor Felipe de Neve gave Argüello an important job. He was to lead the first ten families, known as Los Angeles Pobladores, to settle a new town. These families also brought their livestock with them.

Another military leader, Fernando Rivera y Moncada, was supposed to guard them. However, he was killed during a fight with Quechan Native Americans. Argüello and the settlers continued their journey.

They reached Mission San Gabriel Arcángel, which is in today's San Gabriel Valley. On September 4, 1781, they founded the Pueblo de Los Ángeles next to the Los Angeles River. This small town grew to become the huge city of Los Angeles, California, that we know today.

Military Commander Roles

After founding Los Angeles, Argüello moved on to Santa Barbara. The Presidio of Santa Barbara was built there in 1782. A presidio was a Spanish military fort.

In 1787, Argüello became a lieutenant and the commander of the Presidio of San Francisco. He served there until 1791. He returned to command the San Francisco Presidio again from 1796 to 1806. In between these times, he was the commander of the Presidio of Monterey from 1791 to 1796.

Rancho de las Pulgas Land Grant

In 1795, Governor Diego de Borica gave Argüello a large piece of land. This was a Spanish land grant called the Rancho de las Pulgas, which means "Ranch of the Fleas."

This rancho was the biggest land grant on the San Francisco Peninsula. It covered about 35,260 acres (about 142.6 square kilometers). Today, this area includes several cities in San Mateo County, California. These cities are San Mateo, Belmont, San Carlos, Redwood City, Atherton, and Menlo Park.

Serving as Governor

Governor of Alta California

After Governor José Joaquín de Arrillaga passed away, Argüello was chosen to be the temporary governor of Alta California. He served in this role from 1814 to 1815 while he was in Santa Barbara.

Governor of Baja California

In 1815, Argüello was appointed governor of Baja California. He held this position until 1822. He passed away in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, in 1828. He was 75 years old.

Argüello's Family Life

José Darío Argüello married a woman named Maria Ygnacia Moraga. They had several children.

Their daughter, Maria Concepción, is famous for an early California love story. Her story was even turned into a Russian rock opera called Juno and Avos.

Two of their sons also became important public figures in Alta California:

• Luis Antonio Argüello: He became California's first governor who was born in the region. He served from 1822 to 1825.
• Santiago Argüello: He was the commander of the Presidio of San Diego. He also served as the alcalde (which means mayor) of the town of San Diego.

Other children included Teniente José Darío Argüello, Joaquín Máximo Argüello, Gervasio Argüello, and Ana Gertrudis Rudecinda Argüello.

Lasting Legacy

José Darío Argüello's name lives on in several places:

• Point Arguello in Santa Barbara County, California was named after him. This was done by explorer George Vancouver in 1793.
• In San Francisco, Arguello Boulevard was also named in his honor. This street leads into the Presidio of San Francisco.
• Arguello Park in San Carlos, California, is named after him. This park is located in an area that was once part of his large Rancho de las Pulgas.
• Argüello's daughter, Maria Concepción, inspired the character Conchita in the Juno and Avos rock opera.

See also

In Spanish: José Darío Argüello para niños