List of pre-statehood mayors of San Diego facts for kids
This article shares the story of the early leaders of San Diego, from 1770 to 1850. These leaders served during the times when San Diego was under Spanish, Mexican, and then early American rule, before California officially became a U.S. state. You'll learn about the military commanders and the first mayors who helped shape the city.
Contents
Military Leaders: Commandants of the Presidio of San Diego
From 1770, San Diego was a military outpost called a Presidio. It was led by a military officer called a commandant. These commandants were in charge under both the Spanish government (until 1822) and then the Mexican government.
Later, in 1835, San Diego became a civilian town known as a Pueblo. At this point, a new type of leader, an alcalde (which means mayor or judge), took over from the military commandants.
Who Were the Commandants?
Here is a list of the military commandants who led the Presidio of San Diego:
| Commandant | Term | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lt. Pedro Fages | July 1770 – May 1774 | Military leader for all of California |
| Lt. José Francisco Ortega | 1773–1781 | Started as acting commandant in 1771 |
| Lt. José de Zúñiga | September 8, 1781 – October 19, 1793 | |
| Lt. Antonio Grajera | October 19, 1793 – August 23, 1799 | |
| Lt. José Front | August 23, 1799 – 1803 | Temporary leader |
| Lt. Manuel Rodríguez | August 23, 1799 – late 1806 | Acting leader until 1803 |
| Lt. Francisco María Ruiz | late 1806 – 1807 | First time as acting commandant |
| Lt. José de la Guerra y Noriega | 1806–1807 | Served for a short time |
| Capt. José Raimundo Carrillo | late 1807 – 1809 | |
| Lt. Francisco María Ruiz | 1809–1820 | Second time as acting commandant |
| Capt. Ignacio de Corral | 1810–1820 | Never actually came to California |
| Lt. José María Estudillo | October 23, 1820 – September 1821 | First time |
| Capt. Francisco María Ruiz | September 1821 – 1827 | Third time; the Spanish gave up the Presidio in April 1822 |
| Lt. José María Estudillo | 1827 – April 8, 1830 | Second time |
| Lt. Santiago Argüello | April 8, 1830 – 1835 | |
| Capt. Agustín V. Zamorano | 1835–1840 | Never took command; was in San Diego only in 1837–1838 |
| Capt. Pablo de la Portillà | 1835–1838 | Was commandant whenever he was present |
Civilian Leaders: Alcaldes of the Pueblo of San Diego
San Diego officially became a "pueblo" (a civilian town) in 1834. This happened after a request was sent to Governor José Figueroa, supported by Commandant Santiago Arguello. The first elected alcalde, Juan María Osuna, won by 13 votes against Pío Pico.
By 1838, San Diego's population became too small to keep its pueblo status. It then became part of the Los Angeles District and was led by a "Juez de Paz" (Justice of the Peace). This continued until San Diego became an official city under U.S. rule.
Who Were the Alcaldes and Jueces de Paz?
Here are the Alcaldes (mayors) and Jueces de Paz (Justices of the Peace) who led San Diego. "Suplente" means a substitute or temporary leader.
| Alcalde | Term | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Juan María Osuna | January 1, 1835 – 1836 | First time as alcalde |
| Santiago Argüello | 1836–1837 | Also the last full-time commandant |
| José Antonio Estudillo | 1837–1839 | First time |
| Juan María Marrón | 1839–1841 | First time |
| Rosario E. Aguilar | 1841 | Served as Juez de Paz |
| Jesús Moreno | 1841 | Substitute leader |
| José Antonio Congora | 1842 | Juez de Paz; first time |
| José María Alvarado | 1842 | Substitute leader |
| José Joaquin Ortega | 1843 – May 1843 | Juez de Paz; first time |
| José Antonio Congora | May 1843 – 1843 | Juez de Paz; second time |
| José María Orozco | 1843 | Substitute leader |
| Juan María Marrón | 1844 | Juez de Paz; second time |
| Thomas Wrightington | 1844 | Substitute leader; first time |
| Francisco María Alvarado | 1845 | Juez de Paz |
| José Antonio Estudillo | 1845 | Temporary Juez de Paz; second time |
| José Ramon Argüello | 1845 – April 1845 | Substitute leader |
| José Antonio Estudillo | April 1846 – 1846 | Sub-prefect; third time; served until Americans arrived |
| Juan María Osuna | 1846 | Juez de Paz; second time; might not have served |
| Miguel Pedrorena | 1846 | Juez de Paz; served when Estudillo was away |
| José Joaquin Ortega | August 1846 – August 1846 | Juez de Paz; second time; first under American rule |
| Henry D. Fitch | August 1846 – June 1847 | Substitute leader; Juez de Paz in 1847 |
| Lt. Robert Clift, Jr. | June 1847 – 1847 | Substitute leader; also Juez de Paz until March 1848 |
| Philip Crosthwaite | 1847 | Substitute leader; possibly appointed with Fitch |
| Thomas Wrightington | 1847 – March 1848 | Substitute leader; second time; possibly served in Crosthwaite's place |
| Juan Bandini | March 29, 1848 – September 27, 1848 | Juez de Paz |
| E. L. Brown | April 15, 1848 – 1848 | |
| Juan María Marrón | October 3, 1848 – 1849 | Juez de Paz |
| Dennis Gahagan | 1849–1850 | Alcalde |
| Thomas W. Sutherland | March 1850 – 1850 | Acting Alcalde |
See also
