La Patera, California facts for kids
La Patera was a special historical place in what is now the area of Goleta, California. Its name comes from the Spanish words for "The Place of Ducks." This name was given because many ducks used to live in the wetlands there.
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What Was La Patera?
La Patera was not just a small spot. It was a whole area or "district" in the Goleta Valley. This valley is located west of Santa Barbara. It stretched east of another place called Rancho Cañada del Corral.
Early Inhabitants: The Chumash People
Long before Europeans arrived, the land of La Patera was home to the Chumash. They were the native people of this area. The Chumash had a settlement there called Saspilil.
European Arrival and Naming
In August 1769, a group of explorers led by Gaspar de Portolá reached this area. They were among the first Europeans to explore California. At first, they called the place "Laguna." This word means "lagoon" or "lake" in Spanish.
However, the name later changed to La Patera. This new name was chosen because of the many ducks living in the wetlands nearby. The area was truly a "place of ducks."
La Patera's Historical Boundaries
In the late 1800s, La Patera was known as a district. It covered the Goleta valley. This area included several large pieces of land.
Important Land Grants
During that time, some large areas of land were given out as "land grants." These were like official gifts of land from the government. Three important land grants were located in the La Patera district:
- The Calera or Los Positas grant was about 3,281 acres. It was granted in 1843.
- The Rancho Goleta grant covered about 4,440 acres.
- The Dos Pueblos grant was the largest, with about 15,535 acres.
These land grants show how big and important the La Patera area was in the history of California.
