Rancho Cañada de San Miguelito facts for kids
Rancho Cañada de San Miguelito was a large piece of land, about 8,877 acres, given out by the Mexican government in 1846. It was located in what is now Ventura County, California. Governor Pío Pico gave this land to Ramón Rodríguez. The name "Cañada de San Miguelito" means "valley of San Miguelito." This rancho stretched from the Pacific Ocean to the west side of the Ventura River. Nearby were other ranchos and the city of Ventura.
History of the Rancho
The Rancho Cañada de San Miguelito, which was about two square leagues in size, was given to Ramón Rodríguez. He was married to Juana Tico. Sadly, Ramón Rodríguez passed away in 1848.
After the Mexican-American War, California became part of the United States. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848 said that the U.S. would respect the land grants given by Mexico. So, in 1853, a claim for the Rancho Cañada de San Miguelito was filed with the government. The ownership of the land was officially confirmed to Juana Tico de Rodríguez and Ramón Rodríguez's family in 1871.
The Taylor Ranch Era
Green B. Taylor was born in Alabama in 1819. He moved to California in 1852 and worked in farming and raising animals. In 1870, he bought the Rancho Cañada de San Miguelito. After this, the property became known as the Taylor Ranch. Green B. Taylor raised sheep on the land until he passed away around 1900.
When his wife passed away in 1911, her will stated that her money should help start a university in Ventura County. However, Taylor's three children successfully challenged the will. This meant the property went back to them: Edward Taylor, Charles Taylor, and Alice Taylor Grubb.
In 1931, something big happened: oil was found on the ranch! This led to the creation of the San Miguelito Oil Field. This oil field became one of the most productive in the area.
Alice Taylor Grubb was the main owner until she passed away in 1935. Her children took over the ranch around 1936. Her son, Percy Grubb, passed away soon after. This left the large 30,000-acre Taylor Ranch to his sister, Emma Grubb Wood, and her husband, Adrian "Buddy" Wood. When Emma Wood passed away in 1944, Buddy Wood became the sole owner. He later donated some of the coastal land in her memory, which is now Emma Wood State Beach. When Buddy Wood passed away in 1971, the property was divided. Today, it is owned by the Wood-Claeyssens Foundation.
