Rancho Guajome facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rancho Guajome |
|
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| Location | Near Vista, California |
| Designated | 1981 |
| Reference no. | 940 |
Rancho Guajome was a large piece of land in what is now San Diego County, California. It was about 2,219 acres (9 square kilometers) in size. In 1845, the Mexican Governor Pío Pico gave this land to two Native American men named Andrés and José Manuel. The name "Guajome" comes from the Luiseño language. It likely means "frog pond" or "little frog." This historic site is located near Vista, California. Today, it is recognized as California Historical Landmark #940.
Contents
History of Rancho Guajome
Early Owners of the Land
Before it became Rancho Guajome, this land was part of Mission San Luis Rey. The mission was a religious settlement. In 1845, a grant for this land was given to Andrés and José Manuel. They were two Native American men who had lived at the mission.
The brothers later sold the land to Abel Stearns. Stearns was a well-known businessman. He kept the land for a few years. Then, he gave it as a special wedding gift. The gift was for his sister-in-law, Ysidora Bandini. She married Lieutenant Cave Johnson Couts in 1851. Abel Stearns was married to Ysidora's sister, Arcadia.
Cave Johnson Couts and His Family
Cave Johnson Couts (pronounced "cow-ts") was born in Tennessee in 1821. He was the nephew of a famous politician, Cave Johnson. Couts graduated from West Point in 1843. This is a special military school.
He came to California in 1849 as a U.S. Army lieutenant. His job was to help occupy California after the Mexican–American War. Couts later left the Army. He settled in the San Diego area. In 1849, he was asked to map the lands of San Diego.
In 1851, Couts married Ysidora Bandini. She was the daughter of Juan Bandini, a very important person in California. Couts began to buy more land. He also became very influential in the area. He owned other large ranches, like Rancho Buena Vista and Rancho Vallecitos de San Marcos.
In 1853, Couts was put in charge of helping the San Luis Rey Native Americans. He used Native American workers to improve his properties.
Land Ownership After the War
After the Mexican–American War, California became part of the United States. The 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed. This treaty said that the land grants given by Mexico would still be honored.
A new law, the Land Act of 1851, was passed. It required people to prove they owned their land. A claim for Rancho Guajome was filed in 1852. The land grant was officially given to Andres Solme and Catarina in 1871.
By 1853, the Couts family had settled on Rancho Guajome. Cave Couts was doing very well. He supplied beef and leather to the Bay Area during the California Gold Rush. After Cave Couts passed away in 1874, his son, Cave Couts, Jr., managed the Rancho.
Historic Sites of the Rancho
- Rancho Guajome Adobe: This is a historic building. It was built by Cave Johnson Couts.
