Rancho Corral de Cuati facts for kids
Rancho Corral de Cuati was a very large piece of land, about 13,322-acre (53.91 km2), in what is now Santa Barbara County, California. It was given out as a Mexican land grant in 1845. The governor at the time, Pío Pico, gave this land to Agustín Dávila. The ranch was located along Alamo Pintado Creek, which is north of where Los Olivos is today. Another ranch called Rancho La Laguna was next to it.
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History of Rancho Corral de Cuati
The First Owner: Agustín Dávila
Agustín Dávila (1805–1848) was a painter. He came to California in 1834. He was known for painting parts of the Mission Santa Clara de Asís. In 1836, he married María de Jesús Félix. Agustín Dávila received the Rancho Corral de Cuati land grant in 1845. Sadly, he died in 1848 during a disagreement at Rancho Tinaquaic.
The Lataillade Family Takes Over
After Agustín Dávila passed away, Cesario Lataillade acquired Rancho Corral de Cuati. Cesario Armand Lataillade (1819–1849) was a trader from France. He came to Santa Barbara in 1841. He traded things like animal hides and tallow (animal fat). In 1845, he married Antonia María de la Guerra. She was the youngest daughter of a well-known person named José de la Guerra y Noriega.
Cesario Lataillade also received other land grants. He was given Rancho Cuyama (No. 2). He also bought Rancho Cuyama (No. 1) and Rancho La Zaca. Cesario Lataillade died in an accident in 1849. His wife and their two children, Maria Antonia Lataillade (1846–1916) and Cesario Eugene Lataillade (1849–), inherited his properties.
The Ranch 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 said that the land grants given by Mexico would still be honored.
The United States created a law called the Land Act of 1851. This law required people to prove they owned their land grants. So, in 1852, a claim for Rancho Corral de Cuati was filed. This claim went to the Public Land Commission. Finally, in 1876, the land was officially granted to María Antonia de la Guerra y Lataillade.
