Rancho Chimiles facts for kids
Rancho Chimiles was a very large piece of land in what is now Napa County, California. It was about 17,762-acre (71.88 km2) in size. This land was given out as a Mexican land grant in 1846. The person who gave it was Governor Pio Pico, and it went to José Ygnacio Berreyesa.
What Was Rancho Chimiles?
Rancho Chimiles was one of many large land grants given by the Mexican government. These grants were a way to encourage people to settle and develop the land. The land was often used for farming and raising animals.
Who Owned Rancho Chimiles?
The first owner of Rancho Chimiles was José Ygnacio Berreyesa. He was the son of José de los Reyes Berreyesa. In 1846, he received this huge area of land, which was about four square leagues.
Later, in 1851, two other important people bought Rancho Chimiles. They were William Gordon and Nathan Coombs. William Gordon already owned another large piece of land called Rancho Quesesosi.
How Did Land Grants Change After the War?
After the Mexican-American War, California became part of the United States. This happened in 1848 with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. This treaty said that the United States would respect the land grants given by Mexico.
To make sure this happened, the U.S. government created the Land Act of 1851. This law required people who had received Mexican land grants to prove their ownership. So, in 1852, a claim for Rancho Chimiles was filed with the Public Land Commission. Finally, in 1860, William Gordon and Nathan Coombs officially received the patent for the land. This meant their ownership was fully recognized by the United States government.
