Rancho El Chorro facts for kids
Imagine a huge piece of land in California, like a giant farm or ranch! Rancho El Chorro was one of these. It was also called Rancho Cañada del Chorro. This large area, about 3,167 acres (which is over 12 square kilometers), was a special gift of land from the Mexican government. In 1845, the Governor of California, Pío Pico, gave this land to two business partners, James Scott and John Wilson. The rancho was located between Morro Bay and San Luis Obispo, right along the north side of Chorro Creek.
Contents
A Look Back: The Story of Rancho El Chorro
The First Owners: John Wilson and James Scott
Captain John Wilson (1798-1861) was a sea captain and trader from Scotland. He arrived in California in 1830. In 1837, he married María Ramona Carrillo de Pacheco. She was a widow whose first husband had passed away. María's mother, María Ygnacia Lopez de Carrillo, also owned a large ranch called Rancho Cabeza de Santa Rosa. James G. Scott (-1851) was also from Scotland. He came to California with his business partner, Captain Wilson.
Wilson and Scott owned other large ranches too. These included Rancho Los Guilicos and Rancho Cañada de los Osos y Pecho y Islay. In 1845, they received the one square league of land for Rancho El Chorro. Captain Wilson also bought two other ranches, Rancho San Luisito and Rancho Huerta de Romualdo. Around 1845, Wilson moved his family from San Luis Obispo. They went to live at Rancho Cañada de los Osos & Pacheco y Islay. He built an adobe home there and lived in it until he passed away in 1860.
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.
To make sure land ownership was clear, a new law was passed in 1851. It was called the Land Act of 1851. This law required people to prove they owned their land. So, a claim for Rancho El Chorro was filed in 1852. The ownership of the land was officially confirmed for John Wilson in 1871. This official confirmation is called a "patent."
Changes in Ownership
California faced a very bad drought between 1862 and 1864. A drought is a long period with very little rain. This made it hard for ranches to operate. Because of this drought, Rancho El Chorro was sold in 1865. It was bought by William Welles Hollister.
Historic Places on the Rancho
- Vasquez-Hollister adobe: This is an old building made of adobe bricks. It was built sometime between the years 1800 and 1830.
