Rancho San Antonio de Padua facts for kids
Rancho San Antonio was a very large piece of land, about 7,982 acres (or 32.3 square kilometers). It was a special land grant given by the Mexican government in 1839. The governor at the time, Juan Alvarado, gave this land to a man named Juan Prado Mesa.
This land grant was located in what is now Santa Clara County, California. Its northern border was Adobe Creek, and its southern border was Stevens Creek. The grant also included Permanente Creek and the area we know today as Los Altos Hills.
History of Rancho San Antonio
Juan Prado Mesa and the Land Grant
Juan Prado Mesa was born in Santa Clara in 1806. His family had a history in California; his grandfather came with the famous Anza Expedition. Juan Prado Mesa became a soldier in 1828, serving at the San Francisco Presidio. A presidio was like a fort or military base.
In 1835, when other soldiers moved to Sonoma, Juan Prado Mesa was put in charge of the San Francisco Presidio. Later, he also commanded the guard at the Santa Clara Mission. In 1838, he was injured in a conflict. The next year, in 1839, he received the Rancho San Antonio land grant. Sadly, he passed away in 1845 from the injuries he had received.
Land Claims After the Mexican-American War
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 recognized.
To make sure these land grants were official under U.S. law, people had to file claims. This was part of the Land Act of 1851. For Rancho San Antonio, several claims were made.
- The family of Juan Prado Mesa filed a claim in 1852. Their part of the land, about 4,440 acres (18 square kilometers), was officially approved in 1866.
- Another claim was filed by William A. Dana, Henry F. Dana, and James W. Weeks in 1853. Their portion, about 3,541 acres (14.3 square kilometers), was approved in 1857.
Some other claims for smaller parts of the land were filed but were not approved.
Today, a large part of this historic land grant is preserved as the Rancho San Antonio County Park. It's a place where people can enjoy nature and learn about the area's past.
