Rancho San Julian facts for kids

Rancho San Julian is a large, historic ranch in Santa Barbara County, California. It was once a huge piece of land, about 48,222 acres (195 square kilometers). In 1837, the Mexican government gave this land to a man named José de la Guerra y Noriega. The ranch is located west of the city of Santa Barbara. Its name likely comes from José Antonio Julian de la Guerra.

A Look Back: The History of Rancho San Julian

From Royal Ranch to Mexican Grant

Before it was called Rancho San Julian, this land had other names. When Spain ruled California, California, it was known as "Rancho del Rey," which means "Ranch of the King." This land, located west of the Presidio of Santa Barbara (a Spanish fort), was used for grazing cattle since 1816.

Later, when Mexico gained independence from Spain, the land was renamed "Rancho Nacional." In 1837, Governor Juan Bautista Alvarado of Mexico officially granted this land, about six square leagues in size, to José de la Guerra. José de la Guerra (1779–1858) was an important leader. He served as the Commander of the Presidio of Santa Barbara from 1827 to 1842.

Changes After the Mexican-American War

After the Mexican-American War, California became part of the United States in 1848. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed, which promised that existing land grants, like Rancho San Julian, would still be honored.

To make these land claims official under U.S. law, a special process was created. In 1852, a claim for Rancho San Julian was filed with the Public Land Commission. This was required by the Land Act of 1851. The official ownership of the land was finally confirmed for José de la Guerra in 1873. The survey showed the ranch was actually about twice the size of the original six square league grant.

New Owners: The Dibblee-Hollister Partnership

José de la Guerra passed away in 1858. His family faced tough times due to a severe drought and money problems. They had to mortgage (borrow money against) the ranch from Gaspar Oreña (1824–1904). Gaspar Oreña was related to the de la Guerra family; he married Antonia María de la Guerra, José de la Guerra's youngest daughter, in 1854.

In 1864, Oreña took ownership of Rancho San Julian and another ranch, Rancho La Espada, from the de la Guerra family. This was to settle the money they owed him. He kept the ranches until 1867. Then, he sold both of them to a business team known as the Dibblee-Hollister partnership.

Albert Dibblee (1816–1895) came to California in 1848. In 1858, he bought another ranch called Rancho Santa Anita. His brother, Thomas Bloodgood Dibblee (1823–1895), joined him from New York in 1860. Albert and Thomas Dibblee teamed up with Colonel W.W. Hollister (1818–1886). Together, they bought several large land grants in the Santa Barbara area, including Rancho San Julian.

In 1868, Thomas Dibblee moved to Santa Barbara. He married Francesca de la Guerra (born 1849), who was José de la Guerra's granddaughter. Francesca was the daughter of Josefa Moreno and Pablo de la Guerra, who was José de la Guerra's son.

A famous geologist named Thomas Wilson Dibblee, Jr. was Thomas Dibblee's grandson.