Rancho Aguaje de la Centinela facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rancho Aguaje de la Centinela |
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|---|---|
| Land grant of Mexico | |
| 1837–1874 | |
 Rancho historic marker at LAX Theme Building
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| • Type | Mexican land grant |
| History | |
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• Established
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1837 |
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• Disestablished
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1874 |
| Today part of | United States |
Rancho Aguaje de la Centinela was a large piece of land, about 2,219 acres (9 square kilometers), given by the Mexican government in 1837. It was located in what is now Los Angeles County, California. The land was given to a person named Ygnacio Machado.
The name "Aguaje de la Centinela" means "Sentinel of Waters" in Spanish. This name came from the natural springs in the area, like Centinela Springs, which provided water. This rancho included parts of today's Westchester and Inglewood.
Contents
The Story of Rancho Centinela
How the Rancho Began
The land that became Rancho Aguaje de la Centinela was once part of an even larger area called Rancho Sausal Redondo. Ygnacio Machado had been using this land. In 1837, he was officially given a part of it as his own land grant. This happened at the same time that Antonio Avila received his grant for the rest of Rancho Sausal Redondo.
A few years later, in 1845, Machado traded his rancho. He gave Rancho Aguaje de la Centinela to Bruno Avila. Bruno was Antonio Avila's brother. In return, Machado received a smaller piece of land in the Pueblo of Los Angeles, which was a small town at the time.
Changes After the War
After the Mexican–American War ended in 1848, California became part of the United States. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed, which said that the land grants given by Mexico would still be valid.
To make these land grants official under U.S. law, people had to file a claim. Bruno Avila filed a claim for Rancho Aguaje de la Centinela in 1852. His ownership was officially confirmed in 1872. This official document is called a land patent.
New Owners and Development
Bruno Avila faced financial problems and could not pay his debts. Because of this, he lost his property in 1857. After that, Rancho Aguaje de la Centinela changed hands several times.
In 1860, a person named Robert Burnett bought the rancho. He later bought Rancho Sausal Redondo in 1868, bringing the two original ranchos back together.
Robert Burnett then returned to Scotland. In 1873, he leased the combined ranchos, which were about 25,000 acres (101 square kilometers), to Catherine Freeman. She was the wife of Daniel Freeman. Their agreement allowed her to buy the ranchos later.
After Catherine passed away in 1874, Daniel Freeman took over. He started to develop the land for homes and businesses. He helped create the Centinela Land Company in 1874. This company aimed to develop Rancho Centinela. Even though that company didn't succeed, Daniel Freeman was important in another project. In 1887, he helped start the Centinela-Inglewood Land Company. This company was key in developing the town that we now know as Inglewood.
Interesting Fact: A Marker Mistake!
Did you know there was a mistake on a historical marker near the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)? In 1963, a letter was sent to the Los Angeles Times newspaper. It pointed out that a bronze marker at the airport said: "Original Mexican grant to Ignacio Machado in 1844 known as Rancho Aguaje de Centinela."
The letter explained that this was wrong! The airport is actually on land that was part of Rancho Sausal Redondo, not Rancho Centinela. The closest part of Rancho Centinela was about 3,700 feet away from the airport property. It's important to get history facts right!
Places Connected to Rancho Centinela
- Centinela Springs: These were natural bubbling springs that once flowed in the area.
- Centinela Adobe: This is an old house built in 1834 by Ygnacio Machado. It's still standing today!
- Centinela Creek: This is a small stream that flows into Ballona Creek.
- Centinela Park: This park in Inglewood is now called Edward Vincent Jr. Park.
