Rancho San Pascual facts for kids
Rancho San Pascual, also known as Rancho el Rincón de San Pascual, was a huge piece of land in what is now Los Angeles County, California. It was about 14,403 acres (58.28 km2). This land was given out as a Mexican land grant in 1834. Juan Mariné received it from Governor José Figueroa. Today, this land covers parts of cities like Pasadena, South Pasadena, and San Marino. It also includes areas like Altadena and San Pasqual.
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History of Rancho San Pascual
Early Land Grants and Owners
After the Mission San Gabriel Arcángel was no longer controlled by the church in 1834, Governor Figueroa gave the rancho to Juan Mariné. Mariné was a retired army officer. He later married Eulalia Pérez de Guillén Mariné.
Juan Mariné died in 1838. After his death, José Pérez and Enrique Sepúlveda were given the land. This happened in 1839, by Mexican Governor Juan Bautista Alvarado. Both Pérez and Sepúlveda built small adobe houses near the Arroyo Seco. However, Pérez died in 1841, and Sepúlveda died in 1843. Rancho San Pascual was left without an owner once again.
Manuel Garfias Takes Over
Manuel Garfias, a lieutenant in the Mexican Army, then claimed the land for himself. Governor Manuel Micheltorena officially granted Rancho San Pascual to Manuel Garfias in 1843. Garfias served as an officer in Micheltorena's army from 1842 to 1845. Garfias married Luisa Avila. Her parents, Francisco Avila and María Encarnación Sepúlveda Avila, owned other large ranchos like Rancho Las Cienegas.
Changes After the Mexican-American War
After California became part of the United States, following the Mexican–American War in 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo stated that existing land grants would be respected. A claim for Rancho San Pascual was made based on the earlier grant to Enrique Sepulveda and José Perez. However, this claim was turned down.
Manuel Garfias received an official US patent for about 13,694 acres (55.42 km2) of the rancho. This patent was based on the grant he received from Governor Micheltorena.
New Owners and Development
Benjamin "Don Benito" Wilson bought a small part of the Rancho in 1852. He received a US patent for about 709 acres (2.87 km2). Garfias started selling parts of San Pascual to pay for a fancy adobe house. This expensive house was the new main building for Rancho San Pascual. But it caused Garfias to lose his land. Benjamin Wilson bought the rest of the rancho from Garfias in 1858.
Wilson then sold half of his share in Rancho San Pascual to John S. Griffin in 1860. Griffin also sold parts of his share, including some to Dr. Benjamin S. Eaton. In 1873, Daniel M. Berry came to Rancho San Pascual. He was buying land for a group called the Indiana Colony of California. Berry bought a large part of the property along the Arroyo Seco. On January 31, 1874, the Indiana Colony was officially formed.
In 1872, George Stoneman bought about 400 acres (1.6 km2) from Benjamin Wilson.
Historic Sites of the Rancho
- Adobe Flores: This adobe house was built by José Pérez. After his defeat in the Battle of La Mesa, Jose Maria Flores camped near this adobe.
- Governor Stoneman Adobe, Los Robles: This was the adobe home of Governor George Stoneman.
