Rancho San Bernardino facts for kids
Rancho San Bernardino was a huge piece of land in what is now San Bernardino County, California. It was a Mexican land grant, which means the Mexican government gave it to private citizens. This grant was given in 1842 by Governor Juan B. Alvarado. It covered about 35,509 acres (144 square kilometers).
The land was given to José del Carmen Lugo, José María Lugo, Vicente Lugo, and Diego Sepulveda. Rancho San Bernardino included a big part of the San Bernardino Valley. Today, cities like San Bernardino, Fontana, Rialto, Redlands, and Colton are on this land.
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History of Rancho San Bernardino
Early Days and Naming
In 1810, a priest named Padre Francisco Dumetz from Mission San Gabriel Arcángel visited the area. He named it San Bernardino. Later, people from the mission set up a farming center there. This center was called Guachama Rancheria. They also had other small farms nearby, like the Jumuba rancheria.
In January 1827, an explorer named Jedediah Smith came through the area. He was the first American to travel overland to California. His group spent a few days there. They were getting ready to cross the Mojave Desert on their way back.
The Lugo Family Receives the Land
After 1833, the Mexican government passed a law called the Mexican secularization act of 1833. This law took land away from the missions. In 1841, Antonio Maria Lugo asked for a land grant. He wanted it for three of his sons: José del Carmen Lugo, José Maria Lugo, Vicente Lugo. He also asked for it for José del Carmen's friend, Diego Sepulveda.
In 1842, the Rancho San Bernardino grant was approved. It was given to Antonio Maria Lugo, his sons, and his nephews. They used this large area to raise cattle.
Changes After the Mexican-American War
California became part of the United States after the Mexican–American War. This happened with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848. The treaty said that existing land grants, like Rancho San Bernardino, would still be honored.
Because of a new law called the Land Act of 1851, a claim for Rancho San Bernardino was filed. This happened with the Public Land Commission in 1852. The ownership of the land was officially confirmed, or "patented," to José del Carmen Lugo, José María Lugo, Vicente Lugo, and Diego Sepulveda in 1865.
Sale to the Latter-day Saints
In 1851, the Lugo family sold Rancho San Bernardino. They sold it to a large group of almost 500 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). This group was led by Captain David Seely, Captain Jefferson Hunt, and Captain Andrew Lytle. Important church leaders like Amasa M. Lyman and Charles C. Rich were also part of this group.
