Rancho Napa facts for kids
Rancho Napa was a very large piece of land, about 22,718 acres, given out by the Mexican government in 1838. This land was located in what is now Napa County, California. Governor Juan Alvarado gave this land grant to Salvador Vallejo. Rancho Napa stretched along the beautiful Napa Valley, just north of the city of Napa today.
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The Story of Rancho Napa
Who Was Salvador Vallejo?
Salvador Vallejo (born in 1813, died in 1876) was an important person in early California history. He was the younger brother of a famous general named Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo. Salvador was a captain in the local army, called the militia, in Sonoma. He was married to Maria de la Cruz Carrillo. In 1839, Governor Alvarado gave Salvador Vallejo another piece of land, which became known as Salvador's Ranch.
How Rancho Napa Changed Hands
Most of the large land grants given by Mexico stayed together for a long time. But Rancho Napa was different. Salvador Vallejo decided to divide and sell much of the land in 1847. This happened during the Mexican–American War, before California officially became part of the United States. Salvador Vallejo kept about 3,179 acres for himself.
After California joined the United States, many people who had bought parts of Rancho Napa needed to prove they owned their land. They filed claims with a special government group called the Public Land Commission.
Salvador Vallejo's Later Life
In 1863, Salvador Vallejo became a Major in the Union Army during the American Civil War. After the war ended, he left the army in 1865. He then returned to his ranch in Napa, where he lived until he passed away in 1876.
