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List of governors of California before 1850 facts for kids

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Below is a list of the leaders who governed California from 1769 until 1850, before it became the 31st state of the United States.

Retrat Gaspar de Portolà (Lleida)
Gaspar de Portolá, the first governor of the Californias.
Pio Pico (cropped2)
Don Pío Pico, the last governor of Alta California under Mexican rule.

California was first explored by Gaspar de Portolá, who helped set up the first Spanish settlements in places like San Diego and Monterey. Back then, California was a far-off Spanish territory, part of a larger area called New Spain.

In 1822, after Mexico won its independence from Spain, California became part of Mexico.

Later, in 1836, a group of local Californians, known as Californios, led by Juan Bautista Alvarado and José Castro, started a rebellion. This eventually led to Alvarado becoming governor. The conflict ended in 1838 when the Mexican government officially recognized Alvarado as the governor of California.

Another leadership dispute happened in 1844. It was settled when another Californio, Pío Pico, became the last governor of Mexican California. In 1846, a group in Sonoma started the "Bear Flag Revolt" and declared California an independent republic. However, this new republic didn't last long. Less than a month later, the Mexican–American War began, and California came under U.S. military control.

California was officially given to the U.S. in 1848. On September 9, 1850, it joined the United States as the 31st state. Peter Hardeman Burnett, who was the last governor during the U.S. military period, became California's first state governor.

Spanish Control (1769–1822)

The Spanish Empire began its rule in the Californias in 1769. At that time, "the Californias" was a huge area. It included what is now the U.S. state of California (called Alta California) and the Baja California (now part of Mexico). This vast territory was managed by a military governor. In 1804, the Californias were split into two separate areas: Alta California, with its capital in Monterey, and Baja California, based in Loreto.

Early Spanish Governors (1769–1804)

From 1769 to 1804, both Alta and Baja California were governed as one unit by Spain. After 1804, they each had their own separate leaders.

  • Felipe de Barri (1770–1774)
    • He was the official governor, but Pedro Fages had more military control in Alta California.
  • Pedro Fages (Acting: 1770–1774)
    • He was the acting military leader in Alta California while Barri was the official governor.
    • He stepped down at the request of Junípero Serra.
  • Pedro Fages (1782–1791)
    • He served again, this time as the official governor of the Californias.
  • José Joaquín de Arrillaga (1800–1804)
    • He served as governor until the Californias were divided in 1804.
    • He then became the first governor of Alta California.

Spanish Governors of Alta California (1804–1822)

After the Californias were split in 1804, Alta California got its own government. José Joaquín de Arrillaga became its first governor.

  • José Joaquín de Arrillaga (1804–1814)
    • He had previously served as governor of the combined Californias.
    • He remained governor of Alta California until he passed away in 1814.
  • Pablo Vicente de Solá (1815–1822)
    • He managed the change of Alta California from Spanish rule to the newly independent country of Mexico.

Mexican Control (1822–1846)

After Mexico won its independence from Spain in the Mexican War of Independence, both Californias became part of the new country in 1822. Mexican rule was briefly interrupted between 1836 and 1838 by a local independence movement led by Juan Bautista Alvarado. He was even called the President of Alta California for a short time. However, Alvarado later negotiated with the Mexican government. This led to his independence movement ending, but he was appointed governor, and Mexican rule was re-established until 1846.

Mexican Governors of Alta California (1822–1836)

  • Manuel Victoria (1831–1832)
  • José María de Echeandía (Interim: 1832–1833)
    • He served as temporary governor after Victoria was overthrown.
  • José Figueroa (1833–1835)
    • He oversaw the secularization of the California missions, which meant the missions were no longer controlled by the church.
  • José Castro (Interim: 1835–1836)
    • He was named temporary governor after Figueroa resigned due to poor health.
  • Nicolás Gutiérrez (Interim: 1836)
    • He served as temporary governor until Mariano Chico arrived.
  • Mariano Chico (1836)
    • He was forced to leave California after a popular uprising against his rule.
  • Nicolás Gutiérrez (Interim: 1836)
    • He became temporary governor again after Chico left.
    • He was soon removed by a popular uprising led by Juan Bautista Alvarado, who declared California independent from Mexico.

President of Alta California (1836–1837)

After the unpopular governors Gutiérrez and Chico, Juan Bautista Alvarado led a successful uprising of Californios in 1836. They removed Gutiérrez, declared Alta California independent from Mexico, and named Alvarado as their president. Alvarado effectively controlled California until 1837. He then negotiated with the Mexican government, agreeing to end his independence movement in exchange for more local control and being recognized as the Governor of Alta California.

  • Juan Bautista Alvarado (1836–1837)
    • He led the uprising against Mexican rule and declared Alta California independent.
    • He was acclaimed as President of Alta California.
    • He later agreed to end his independence movement in exchange for being recognized as governor by Mexico and gaining more local power for Californios.

Mexican Governors of California (1837–1847)

Even though Juan Bautista Alvarado was in control as President of Alta California from 1836 to 1837, the Mexican government tried to appoint Carlos Antonio Carrillo as governor to fight against Alvarado. However, Carrillo was not successful. Alvarado and the Mexican government then negotiated an end to the conflict. Alvarado gave up his independence movement in exchange for more local control and the official governorship, which brought Mexican rule back to Alta California.

  • Carlos Antonio Carrillo (Nominated: 1837)
    • He was nominated by the Mexican government to regain control from Alvarado.
    • He was unable to take effective control, so the Mexican government negotiated directly with Alvarado.
  • Juan Bautista Alvarado (1837–1842)
    • After negotiating with Mexico, he ended his independence movement and was appointed governor.
    • This gave Californios more local control.
  • Manuel Micheltorena (1842–1845)
  • José María Flores (Nominated: 1846–1847)
    • He was nominated as governor during the Mexican–American War to try and win California back for Mexico.
    • Despite some victories, he couldn't re-establish Mexican rule after defeats in major battles.

American Control

After the American Conquest of California, the U.S. military took control starting in 1846. Military governors ruled California until 1849. Then, efforts led by Bennet C. Riley resulted in the creation of the first Constitution of California at a meeting in Monterey. This led to civilian rule, with Peter Hardeman Burnett being elected as the first civilian governor of California. Soon after, California officially became a state.

U.S. Military Governors of California (1846–1849)

  • John D. Sloat (1846)
    • He commanded the U.S. forces that conquered California.
    • He served as the first U.S. Military Governor for 22 days after capturing Monterey.
  • Robert F. Stockton (1846–1847)
    • He successfully defeated Mexican forces trying to reclaim Alta California.
  • John C. Frémont (1847)
    • He was appointed by Stockton as his replacement.
    • He was later removed and court-martialed for his actions.
  • Stephen W. Kearny (1847)
    • He became military governor after Frémont was removed.
  • Persifor Frazer Smith (February 28, 1849 – April 12, 1849)
    • His short time as governor focused on helping settlers traveling to California.
  • Bennet C. Riley (1849)
    • His main goal was to help establish a civilian government and statehood for California.
    • During his term, the first Constitution of California was written.
    • He successfully handed over control to the elected civilian governor, Peter Hardeman Burnett, in 1849.

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