Rancho Ulistac facts for kids
Rancho Ulistac was a large piece of land, about 2,217 acres (9 square kilometers), in what is now Santa Clara County, California. It was given as a land grant in 1845 by Governor Pío Pico to two Native American men, Marcello and Cristobal. This land stretched from the Alviso shoreline southwards. It was located between the Guadalupe River and Saratoga Creek. The area where the town of Agnew is today was also part of this rancho.
Contents
The Story of Rancho Ulistac
How the Rancho Began
In 1846, Governor Pico officially gave this large area of land to Marcello and Cristobal. They were Native Americans connected to the Santa Clara Mission. This was a special type of land ownership called a Mexican land grant.
A New Owner: Jacob Hoppe
Jacob David Hoppe (1813–1853) was born in Maryland and came to California in 1846. He started a newspaper that later became famous as the "Alta California." Hoppe was chosen to be a delegate for the 1849 California Constitutional Convention. This was an important meeting to help create California's first constitution.
After gold was discovered in California, Hoppe spent a few months in the gold mines. He made some money and then returned to San Jose. There, he became the first American Postmaster. Jacob Hoppe later bought Rancho Ulistac from Marcello and Cristobal. Sadly, Hoppe died in 1853 in a ship explosion while traveling from Alviso to San Francisco.
Rancho Ulistac Becomes Part of the U.S.
After the Mexican–American War, California became part of the United States. The 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo stated that existing land grants, like Rancho Ulistac, would still be honored.
To make these land grants official under U.S. law, a claim for Rancho Ulistac was filed in 1852. This was required by the California Land Act of 1851. The land was officially granted to Jacob D. Hoppe's family in 1868.
Changes to the Land Over Time
Hoppe's family sold the land in 1860. In 1885, about 1,650 acres (6.7 square kilometers) of Rancho Ulistac became the site of a state hospital in Agnew. The hospital was badly damaged during the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, and many people died. However, it was quickly rebuilt.
What Does "Ulistac" Mean?
The name "Ulistac" comes from the language of the Ohlone people. They were the Native Americans who lived in this area long ago. People believe that Uli was the name of an Ohlone chief. The ending -tac means "place." So, "Ulistac" likely meant "Uli's place." Some other sources say it means "at Ulis." In 1916, a language expert named A. L. Kroeber said that -tac is a Tamyen suffix for "place of." But he couldn't identify the rest of the name.
Places to See at Rancho Ulistac
The James Lick Mansion
The James Lick Mansion is a large house built around 1858 by a famous person named James Lick. It is one of the historic sites located within the original Rancho Ulistac.
Exploring the Ulistac Natural Area
The Ulistac Natural Area is a special 40-acre natural space. It is located within the original rancho, between Lick Mill Boulevard and the Guadalupe River. Volunteers help take care of this area. It shows off seven different types of natural habitats, making it a great place to explore nature.
