Julián A. Chávez facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Julián Antonio Chávez
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| Born | January 7, 1808 |
| Died | July 25, 1879 (aged 71) |
| Occupation | rancher, landowner and elected official |
| Known for | Chavez Ravine |
| Board member of | Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors |
| Spouse(s) | Maria Luisa Machado |
Julián Antonio Chávez (born January 7, 1808 – died July 25, 1879) was an important person in early Los Angeles, California. He was a rancher, owned land, and worked in government. Chávez served on the Los Angeles Common Council and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors many times. A famous place called Chavez Ravine is named after him.
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Who Was Julián Chávez?
Early Life and Moving to Los Angeles
Julián Antonio Chávez was born in Abiquiú, New Mexico, on January 7, 1808. His parents were Francisco Chávez and Francesca Rosa Verlarde. He likely moved to Los Angeles in the early 1830s. He may have traveled with groups of people who trapped animals for their fur. A city record from 1836 shows Julián Chávez was 27 years old. It also said he worked as a "laborer."
How Chávez Acquired Land
Around the 1830s, Julián Chávez started to get land. People could ask the ayuntamiento (a local government group, like a city council) for empty land. In 1844, he received about 83 acres of land. This land was about 1.5 miles north of downtown Los Angeles. It later became known as Chavez Canyon.
During outbreaks of smallpox in 1850 and 1880, this canyon was used for a special hospital. People who were sick could go there to get care and stay separate. Today, this area is called Chavez Ravine. It is now the home of Dodger Stadium, a famous baseball park.
Chávez's Government Career
Julián Chávez held his first government job in Los Angeles in 1838. He was an assistant mayor, also called suplente alcalde. He also worked as a "judge of waters." This role helped settle arguments about water rights. Later, he became a "judge of the plains." This job involved solving problems, mostly about water and cattle.
Chávez worked on the Los Angeles Common Council in 1873. He dealt with important issues alongside other leaders. These included Prudent Beaudry, Henry Dockweiler, and William H. Workman.
In June 1852, Chávez was chosen for the very first Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. Other members included Jefferson Hunt and Manuel Requena. He served on the board again in 1858 and 1861.
Family Life and Passing Away
Julián Chávez was a widower before he married again. On November 4, 1865, he married Maria Luisa Machado. She was 22 years younger than him. Maria Luisa came from a well-known family of ranchers in Los Angeles. Her father was Ygnacio Machado, from Rancho La Ballona. Julián Chávez passed away on July 25, 1879, from a heart attack.
