Francisco María Alvarado
Encyclopedia
Francisco María Alvarado (born 1793) was an early settler of San Diego, California
.
Alvarado was born around 1793 to a Spanish soldier. He married Tomasa Pico, the sister of Pío Pico
, the last Mexican governor of Alta California
.
In 1833, with five other male citizens, Alvarado urged the governor to establish a pueblo (town) government for San Diego to replace 60-some years of military rule. Alvarado was active in San Diego Pueblo government. Between 1837 and 1845 he was regidor (councilman), treasurer 1840–41, and in 1845, juez de paz (justice of the peace, or mayor).
In 1837, Alvarado bought Rancho Los Peñasquitos
(Little Cliffs Ranch) from Captain Francisco María Ruiz
, who received it as a Mexican land grant
in 1823. In exchange, Alvarado cared for Ruiz in his old age. This area is still known as Peñasquitos
.
After Ruiz died in 1839, Alvarado moved from Old Town San Diego to his beloved ranch. He lived in an adobe home built by Ruiz in the western part of the ranch. Some walls of the adobe still stand, and are protected with a shed roof.
Due to $420 in unpaid debt, Pío Pico
bought the ranch. Pico was twice governor of Alta California and relative of Alvarado, and returned the ranch to Alvarado.
Alvarado married Tomasa Pico (1801–1876). Their daughter, also named Tomasa, married Captain George A. Johnson, who inherited the ranch by the time the U.S. government granted a patent to the land in 1876.
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
.
Pío Pico
Pío de Jesús Pico was the last Governor of Alta California under Mexican rule.-Origins:...
, the last Mexican governor of Alta California
Alta California
Alta California was a province and territory in the Viceroyalty of New Spain and later a territory and department in independent Mexico. The territory was created in 1769 out of the northern part of the former province of Las Californias, and consisted of the modern American states of California,...
.
In 1833, with five other male citizens, Alvarado urged the governor to establish a pueblo (town) government for San Diego to replace 60-some years of military rule. Alvarado was active in San Diego Pueblo government. Between 1837 and 1845 he was regidor (councilman), treasurer 1840–41, and in 1845, juez de paz (justice of the peace, or mayor).
In 1837, Alvarado bought Rancho Los Peñasquitos
Rancho Santa Maria de Los Peñasquitos
Rancho Santa Maria de Los Peñasquitos was a Mexican land grant in present day southwestern San Diego County, California given in 1823 to Francisco María Ruiz. The name means "Saint Mary of the Little Cliffs"...
(Little Cliffs Ranch) from Captain Francisco María Ruiz
Francisco María Ruiz
Francisco María Ruiz was an early settler of San Diego, CaliforniaRuiz was born 1754 in Loreto, Baja California. He enlisted in the army when he was 26 and sent to Upper California...
, who received it as a Mexican land grant
Land grant
A land grant is a gift of real estate – land or its privileges – made by a government or other authority as a reward for services to an individual, especially in return for military service...
in 1823. In exchange, Alvarado cared for Ruiz in his old age. This area is still known as Peñasquitos
Rancho Penasquitos, San Diego, California
Rancho Peñasquitos is a community in the northeastern part of the city of San Diego, California. It is named after the first Spanish Land Grant in the County - Rancho de Los Penasquitos. Peñasquitos means little cliffs in Spanish. It abuts Los Penasquitos canyon preserve - an open space...
.
After Ruiz died in 1839, Alvarado moved from Old Town San Diego to his beloved ranch. He lived in an adobe home built by Ruiz in the western part of the ranch. Some walls of the adobe still stand, and are protected with a shed roof.
Due to $420 in unpaid debt, Pío Pico
Pío Pico
Pío de Jesús Pico was the last Governor of Alta California under Mexican rule.-Origins:...
bought the ranch. Pico was twice governor of Alta California and relative of Alvarado, and returned the ranch to Alvarado.
Alvarado married Tomasa Pico (1801–1876). Their daughter, also named Tomasa, married Captain George A. Johnson, who inherited the ranch by the time the U.S. government granted a patent to the land in 1876.