Rancho Pecho y Islay facts for kids
Rancho Pecho y Islay was a very large piece of land, about 8,857 acres (35.84 km²), that was given out by the Mexican government. This land was located in the Irish Hills, part of what is now Montaña de Oro State Park, and near the Diablo Canyon Power Plant in San Luis Obispo County, California.
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What Was Rancho Pecho y Islay?
Rancho Pecho y Islay was one of many "land grants" given by the Mexican government in California. These grants were like official gifts of land to people who were often important or had served the government. It was a way to encourage settlement and development in the area.
How Land Grants Worked
During the 1800s, before California became part of the United States, it was a territory of Mexico. The Mexican governors had the power to give away large areas of land. These land grants were usually given to Mexican citizens or people who had become Mexican citizens. The idea was to help develop the land, often for farming or ranching.
Who Owned the Rancho?
The land for Rancho Pecho y Islay was first granted in 1843.
The First Owner: Francisco Badillo
The first person to receive the Rancho Pecho y Islay grant was a man named Francisco Badillo. He received the land from Governor Manuel Micheltorena, who was the governor of Alta California (which is now California) at the time.
New Owners: Scott and Wilson
Just one year later, in 1844, Francisco Badillo sold Rancho Pecho y Islay to two new owners: James Scott and John Wilson. These two men also bought another nearby land grant called Rancho Cañada de los Osos from its owner, Victor Pantaleon Linares.
In 1845, Governor Pío Pico officially combined these two land grants into one even larger property. This new, bigger grant was called Rancho Cañada de los Osos y Pecho y Islay. It was granted to James Scott and John Wilson, making them the official owners of the combined rancho.
Where Was the Rancho Located?
Rancho Pecho y Islay stretched along the Pacific Ocean coastline. It went from a place called Islay Creek all the way to Pecho Creek. From Pecho Creek, the land went up into the Irish Hills. Today, this area includes the southern part of Montaña de Oro State Park, which is a beautiful state park, and the location of the Diablo Canyon Power Plant.
