Rancho Cuyama (Lataillade) facts for kids
Rancho Cuyama (No. 2) was a very large piece of land, about 48,827 acres (197.6 km²), given out by the Mexican government in 1846. This land grant was located in what is now eastern Santa Barbara County, California. The governor at the time, Pío Pico, gave this land to a man named Cesario Lataillade.
The ranch stretched along the Cuyama River in the Cuyama Valley, near the towns of Cuyama and New Cuyama. Interestingly, there were two large land grants in this area. Rancho Cuyama (No. 1) was given out in 1843, and Rancho Cuyama (No. 2) was granted a few years later in 1846.
History of Rancho Cuyama (No. 2)
Cesario Lataillade and His Family
Cesario Armand Lataillade was a French businessman who came to Santa Barbara, California, in 1841. He was involved in trading animal hides (skins) and tallow (animal fat), which were important products back then.
In 1845, Cesario married Antonia María de la Guerra. She was the youngest daughter of a very important local figure, José de la Guerra y Noriega. Cesario Lataillade received the Rancho Cuyama (No. 2) land grant, which was huge, covering about eleven square leagues. He also bought other ranches, including Rancho Cuyama (No. 1).
Sadly, Cesario Lataillade died in an accident in 1849. His wife and their two young children, Maria Antonia and Cesario Eugene, inherited all his properties.
Changes After the Mexican-American War
After the Mexican-American War, California became part of the United States in 1848. The peace agreement, called the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, said that the United States would respect the land grants given by Mexico.
To make sure these land claims were official, the U.S. government passed the Land Act of 1851. This law required people who owned Mexican land grants to prove their ownership to a special group called the Public Land Commission.
A claim for Rancho Cuyama (No. 2) was filed in 1852. Finally, in 1879, the land was officially recognized and given a "patent" (a special document proving ownership) to María Antonia de la Guerra y Lataillade, Cesario's widow.
