Rancho Buri Buri facts for kids
Rancho Buri Buri, also known as Sánchez Rancho, was a huge piece of land in what is now San Mateo County, California. It was about 14,639 acres (59 square kilometers) and was given out as a Mexican land grant in 1835. Governor José Castro gave this land to José Antonio Sánchez.
The name "Buri Buri" comes from the Urebure village. This village belonged to the Ramaytush-speaking Yelamu tribe, who were part of the Ohlone people. They lived near San Bruno Creek. Rancho Buri Buri stretched from the northern part of South San Francisco to the middle of Burlingame. It went from the San Francisco Bay all the way to the top of the Peninsula hills. Today, this area includes places like Lomita Park, Millbrae, South San Francisco, San Bruno, and the northern part of Burlingame.
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What Was Rancho Buri Buri?
Rancho Buri Buri was originally used as grazing land for animals from Mission Dolores and the Presidio of San Francisco. A "rancho" was a large ranch or estate, often used for raising cattle.
How Did José Antonio Sánchez Get the Land?
In 1827, José Antonio Sánchez was a military officer stationed at the Presidio. He asked the Mexican governor, José María de Echeandía, for permission to use the land. He wanted to use it for "grazing and agricultural purposes," meaning for animals and farming.
The land grant was officially approved in 1835 by Governor Castro. Sánchez worked on this land until he passed away in 1843. After his death, the large rancho was divided among his 10 children.
Changes After the Mexican-American War
California became part of the United States after the Mexican-American War. This happened in 1848 with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. This treaty said that the land grants given by Mexico would still be honored.
Because of a new law called the Land Act of 1851, a claim for Rancho Buri Buri was filed. This happened in 1852 with the Public Land Commission. This commission helped decide who legally owned land in California. The grant was officially given to José de la Cruz Sánchez and his brothers and sisters in 1872. This process is called being "patented."
Selling the Rancho Land
The Sánchez family, who inherited the rancho, had to sell their land. They needed money to pay for property taxes, legal fees, and loans. New owners began to buy parts of Rancho Buri Buri.
Some of the new owners included Darius Ogden Mills, Ansel I. Easton, and Charles Lux.
- Darius Ogden Mills bought about 1,500 acres (6 square kilometers) from José de la Cruz Sánchez. This area is now the city of Millbrae. Later, Mills and his brother-in-law, Ansel Ives Easton, bought almost all the land between Millbrae and San Bruno, west of El Camino Real. This included the land where San Francisco International Airport (originally called Mills Field) is today.
- Charles Lux and his business partner, Alfred Edmondson, bought 1,700 acres (7 square kilometers) of Rancho Buri Buri in 1853. Lux later bought out Edmondson's share in 1856. He then started a town called Baden, which was northwest of modern-day South San Francisco.
- In 1855, Charles Lux bought another 1,464 acres (6 square kilometers) of Rancho Buri Buri land. He became a partner with Henry Miller, a butcher and businessman from San Francisco. They formed a company called Miller & Lux. Charles Lux built his family's country home on this property. Later, his family sold the Lux Ranch to Peter E. Iler. This land then became the site of the industrial city of South San Francisco.
Today, Sanchez Street in San Francisco is named after Jose Antonio Sanchez. It reminds people of his important role in the city's early history.
