Rancho de la Nación facts for kids
Rancho de la Nación was a huge piece of land, about 26,632-acre (107.78 km2) (or 108 square kilometers), in what is now southern San Diego County, California. This land was given out as a Mexican land grant in 1845 by Governor Pío Pico to John (Don Juan) Forster. The grant included areas that are now National City, Chula Vista, Bonita, Sunnyside, and the western part of the Sweetwater Valley.
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History of Rancho de la Nación
Early Days: Rancho del Rey
Before it was called Rancho de la Nación, this land was known as Rancho del Rey, which means "Ranch of the King." Under Spanish rule, starting in 1795, it was used as a place for the Presidio of San Diego to graze its cattle. A presidio was like a fort or military base.
After Mexico gained independence from Spain, the ranch was renamed Rancho de la Nación, meaning "Ranch of the Nation." In 1828, a report showed that Rancho de la Nación had 250 cattle and 25 horses. These animals were kept for the presidio.
The Grant to John Forster
In 1845, Governor Pío Pico officially gave this large piece of land, about six square leagues, to his brother-in-law, John Forster. John Forster (1815–1882) was born in England and came to California in 1833.
In 1837, John Forster married Ysidora Pico. She was the sister of Governor Pío Pico and Andrés Pico. John Forster later owned other large ranches, including the Rancho Santa Margarita y Las Flores and Rancho Valle de San Felipe.
After the Mexican-American War
After the Mexican-American War, California became part of the United States. This change was agreed upon in the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. This treaty promised that the land grants given by Mexico would still be honored by the U.S. government.
To make sure these land grants were official, the U.S. passed the Land Act of 1851. This law required landowners to file a claim for their land. John Forster filed a claim for Rancho de la Nación with the Public Land Commission in 1852. His ownership of the land was officially confirmed, or "patented," in 1866.
New Owners of the Rancho
In 1854, John Forster sold Rancho de la Nación to François Louis Alfred Pioche (1818–1872). Pioche was a financier, which means he managed money and investments, from San Francisco.
Pioche then sold the rancho in 1868 to Frank A. Kimball and his brothers, Warren and Levi. The Kimball brothers were originally from New Hampshire.
