Rancho Laguna (Alemany) facts for kids
Rancho Laguna was a large area of land in California. It was once used for grazing animals and was given to the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa in 1844. This land surrounded Laguna Lake near the city of San Luis Obispo. Rancho Laguna was one of two ranchos that were given back to the Catholic Church in 1859 after being taken away in 1845.
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What is Rancho Laguna?
Rancho Laguna was a diamond-shaped piece of land covering about 4,157 acres (1,682 hectares). It surrounded Laguna Lake at the start of the Los Osos Valley. The land had clear boundaries:
- To the southwest, it went through the Irish Hills.
- To the northwest, it bordered the Rancho Cañada de los Osos y Pecho y Islay.
- To the northeast, it ran along the south side of Cerro San Luis Obispo.
- To the southeast, it connected back to its starting point, just south of the Ranchito de Santa Fe.
How Rancho Laguna Became Church Land
Rancho Laguna was originally part of the grazing lands given to the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa. This mission was started in 1772 by Father Junípero Serra in San Luis Obispo County, California.
However, in 1833, a law called the Mexican secularization act of 1833 caused the Catholic Church to lose these lands. Over the next 13 years, the mission's pastures and gardens were sold or given to Mexican citizens as ranchos.
In 1844, Governor Micheltorena gave Bishop Francisco García Diego y Moreno a vineyard, a garden, and a large area of grazing land around Laguna Lake. This was meant to help support the church.
But in 1845, Governor Pío Pico sold most of the Mission San Luis Obispo buildings to a person named John Wilson for a very small amount of money. Rancho Laguna was also given to Wilson by Pio Pico in 1845, even though the bishop protested.
Getting the Land Back
Years later, in 1853, Archbishop J.S. Alemany asked for all the former mission lands in California to be returned. After a long legal process, the return of these lands was confirmed in 1855.
Finally, on February 4, 1859, the 4,157 acres of Rancho Laguna were officially given back to Bishop J. S. Alemany. Later, in 1865, President Abraham Lincoln signed a special order that officially gave ownership of some mission property, including Rancho Laguna, back to the Roman Catholic Church. This happened just a few weeks before Lincoln's assassination.
The Church then received ownership of about 1,051 acres (425 hectares). This area included the original mission buildings, cemeteries, gardens, and the land of Rancho La Laguna.
Rancho Laguna Today
Most of the land that was once Rancho Laguna, along with all of Laguna Lake, is now inside the city of San Luis Obispo. Some parts of the land, like areas in the Irish Hills and towards Bishop Peak, are outside the city limits.
Laguna Lake Park is located on the eastern side of Laguna Lake. Along with Laguna Lake Park, the Laguna Lake Natural Reserve covers most of the lake's shoreline. This reserve also includes the lower part of Prefumo Creek and its delta, as well as a strip of grasslands northeast of the lake.
