List of pre-statehood mayors of San Jose facts for kids

This article is about the early leaders of San Jose, from 1777 to 1850. These leaders were called alcaldes (which is like a mayor or judge) and later, mayors. They served during the time when California was under Spanish rule, then Mexican rule, and finally, when it was becoming part of the United States, before California officially became a state.

San Jose's First Leaders: The Spanish Era

During the time when Spain ruled California, the main leader of a town was called an alcalde. This person was in charge of both the government and the justice system. San Jose was one of the first towns founded by the Spanish in California. Here are some of the people who served as alcalde during the Spanish era:

Leaders During Mexican Rule

After Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821, California became part of Mexico. The leaders of San Jose were still called alcaldes. They continued to manage the town's daily life and legal matters. Many of these alcaldes were important local families.

Alcaldes of San José during Mexican Rule

Portrait	Alcalde	Term	Notes
	Francisco Castro	1822
	Juan Alvires	1823
	Ignacio Pacheco	1824
	Joaquín Higuera	1825
	Antonio Suñol	1826
	Mariano Castro	1827
	Juan Salvio Pacheco II	1828
	Florentino Archuleta	1829
	Mariano Castro	1830
	Mariano Duarte	1831
	Ignacio Ceballos	1832
	Juan Salvio Pacheco II	1833
	Pedro Chaboya	1834
	Antonio María Pico	1835
	José María Alviso	1836
	Juan Alvires	1837
	Dolores Pacheco	1838
	José Noriega	1839
	Dolores Pacheco	1840
	Antonio Suñol	1841
	Antonio Buelna	1842
	Juan Salvio Pacheco II	1843
	Antonio María Pico	1844-1845
	John Burton	1846

San Jose's Leaders in the Early American Period

The United States took control of California during the Mexican-American War. Even before California became a state in 1850, American leaders started to take over the role of alcalde. Soon, the title changed from alcalde to mayor, just like in other American cities. These leaders helped San Jose transition into an American city.

See also

• Mayor of San Jose
• List of pre-statehood mayors of Los Angeles
• List of pre-statehood mayors of San Francisco
• List of pre-statehood mayors of San Diego