Zanjero of Los Angeles facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Zanjero of Los Angeles |
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| Inaugural holder | Manuel F. Coronel |
| Formation | 3 April 1854 |
The Zanjero was a very important job in the city of Los Angeles during the 1800s. This person was in charge of managing all the water for the city. People sometimes called them the Water Overseer or Water Steward.
During the mid-1800s, Los Angeles was growing very fast. Because of this, the Zanjero's job was seen as even more important than the Mayor of Los Angeles. For many years, the Zanjero earned the highest salary of any city official.
What Was a Zanjero?
A Zanjero was the main person responsible for Los Angeles's water supply. Their job was to make sure the city had enough water for everyone. This was a huge task, especially as the city got bigger.
The Name Zanjero
The word "Zanjero" comes from the Spanish language. It means someone who takes care of a zanja, which is a water ditch or trench.
The first Zanjeros mainly looked after the water trenches. One very important trench was the Zanja Madre. This ditch brought water to early Los Angeles. As the city grew, the Zanjero's job also grew. They started managing much bigger water projects for the city.
Who Were the Zanjeros?
Many different people held the Zanjero position over the years. It was a job with a lot of changes, meaning people often didn't stay in the role for very long.
The first person to be appointed as Water Overseer was Manuel F. Coronel. He started on April 3, 1854. However, he resigned just two weeks later! The person who took his place only stayed for four months before also leaving the job.
Some of the people who served as Zanjeros included:
- Manuel F. Coronel
- Cristobal Aguilar
- William P. Meinzer
- H. C. Cardwell
- James H. Easton
- Charles Pleasant
- Damien Marchessault
- Elijah Bettis
- Oliver Stearns
- Jesus Cruz
