Rancho Cañada de Herrera facts for kids

Rancho Cañada de Herrera was a very large piece of land, about 6,658 acres (or 27 square kilometers), located in what is now Marin County, California. It was given as a land grant by the Mexican government in 1839. The person who received this grant was Domingo Sais. Today, parts of this old rancho include the towns of Fairfax, Sleepy Hollow, and a section of San Anselmo.

The Story of Rancho Cañada de Herrera

How Domingo Sais Got the Land

Domingo Sais was born in 1806 and passed away in 1853. He was the oldest of sixteen children in his family. Domingo served as a soldier at the Presidio of San Francisco from 1826 to 1833. He also served in the San Francisco local army in 1837. In 1830, Domingo Sais married Maria Manuela Miranda. In 1839, Domingo Sais was given the Rancho Cañada de Herrera. This large land grant was a reward for his years of military service.

California Becomes Part of the United States

After the Mexican-American War, California became part of the United States. This happened with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848. This treaty promised that the land grants given by the Mexican government would still be honored.

The United States government created a law called the Land Act of 1851. This law required people who owned land grants to file a claim. Domingo Sais filed a claim for Rancho Cañada de Herrera in 1852. The government officially recognized his ownership of the land in 1876. This official recognition is called a "patent."

What Happened After Domingo Sais Died

Domingo Sais died in 1853. After his death, the rancho was divided among his family members.

James Black bought a part of the rancho. James Black was married to Maria Agustina Sais, who was Domingo Sais's sister. Maria Agustina Sais passed away in 1864. In 1866, James Black married Maria Loreto Duarte. James Black himself died in 1870.