Luis Antonio Argüello facts for kids

Luis Antonio Argüello (born June 21, 1784 – died March 27, 1830) was a very important person in early California history. He was the first Californio (meaning he was born in California) to become governor of Alta California. He was also the first governor to serve under Mexican rule after Mexico gained independence from Spain. He led Alta California during a big change, as it moved from being part of the Spanish Empire to becoming part of Mexico.

Early Life and Family

Luis Antonio Argüello was born at the Presidio of San Francisco. A presidio was like a fort or military base. Today, this area is known as San Francisco. His parents were José Darío Argüello and Maria Ygnacia Moraga. His family was very well-known and powerful in early California.

His father, José Darío Argüello, helped start the Pueblo de Los Angeles. A pueblo was a town or settlement. His father also served as governor of Alta California and later of Baja California.

In 1806, Luis took over from his father as the leader, or Commandant, of California. He was a lieutenant at this time. In 1821, he went on an important trip to explore Northern California. He wanted to find out if "Foreigners" were setting up bases there. He even wrote a diary about his journey.

Argüello also ordered action against hunters from the Russian-American Company. These hunters were catching too many sea otters in San Francisco Bay. It was hard for him to stop them because there were not many Spanish military posts north of San Francisco Bay.

Luis had a brother named Santiago Argüello. Santiago was the Commandant of the Presidio of San Diego and the alcalde (which means mayor) of the town of San Diego. Luis's sister, Concepción Argüello, was famous for her romance with Nikolai Rezanov, a Russian who wanted to set up colonies in Alaska and California.

Grave of Luís Antonio Argüello at Mission San Francisco de Asís (Mission Dolores) cemetery, San Francisco.

Luis Argüello and his second wife, Maria Soledad Ortega de Argüello, inherited a large Spanish Rancho land grant from his parents. This land, called Rancho de las Pulgas, was about 35,240 acres. It included parts of what are now San Mateo, Belmont, San Carlos, Redwood City, Atherton, and Menlo Park. Luis never lived there, but his wife and children moved there after he passed away.

Luis Antonio Argüello died in 1830 in Yerba Buena (which is now San Francisco). He is buried at the Mission San Francisco de Asís (Mission Dolores) cemetery.

Governor of Alta California

Luis Antonio Argüello became the governor of Alta California in 1822. This was a time of big changes, as Mexico had just become independent from Spain.

As governor, Argüello made some important decisions. He allowed William Edward Petty Hartnell to do business in any port in Alta California. Other foreigners were usually only allowed in Monterey and San Diego.

Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo worked as Argüello's personal secretary. When news of Mexico's independence reached Monterey, Argüello helped Vallejo start his military career. Vallejo later became a very important military leader and politician in California.

Argüello also gave out many land grants, called ranchos. These grants helped people settle and develop the land. For example, in 1823, he granted Rancho Los Corralitos in what is now Santa Cruz County, California. This rancho was about 15,440 acres. He also granted Rancho Llano de Buena Vista in the Salinas Valley and Rancho San Pablo in Contra Costa County, California.

During his time as governor, the Chumash Revolt of 1824 happened. This was a rebellion by the Chumash people. Governor Argüello ordered soldiers to stop the rebellion, and it was eventually put down.

One new mission was also started during Argüello's time as governor: Mission San Francisco Solano (California). It was founded on July 4, 1823. This was the last of the 21 missions built in California. It was also the northernmost mission and the only one started after Mexico became independent. Argüello wanted a strong Mexican presence north of the San Francisco Bay. This was to keep the Russians, who had built Fort Ross on the Pacific coast, from moving further into Mexican territory.

The 1840 rebuilt Mission San Francisco Solano circa 1910, last of the 21 missions

Stylized portrayal of the original Mission San Francisco Solano

Legacy

Luis Antonio Argüello is remembered as the first native-born governor of California under Mexican rule. His leadership helped guide California during a time of major change. During World War II, a United States ship, the SS Luis Argüello, was named in his honor.

See also

In Spanish: Luis Antonio Argüello para niños