Rancho Las Cruces
Encyclopedia
Rancho Las Cruces was a 8888 acres (36 km²) Mexican land grant
in the Santa Ynez Mountains
of present day Santa Barbara County, California
given in 1837 by Governor Juan B. Alvarado to Miguel Cordero. The name means "the crosses". The grant was inland of present day Gaviota Beach
and the Gaviota Tunnel
.
. In 1822, Miguel Cordero married Maria Antonia Jimenez (1796-1858). Miguel Cordero retired from active military service in 1833, and was granted the two square league Rancho Las Cruces. The rancho was only a few miles east Rancho Cañada de Salsipuedes
granted to his brother Pedro Cordero in 1844.
Miguel Cordero died in 1851, at about the same time the U.S. Congress passed "An Act to Ascertain and Settle Private Land Grant Claims in the State of California". His widow and children did not realize the new requirement. Maria Antonia Jimenez died in 1858, and an undivided interest in Rancho Las Cruces to each of their 9 children. Establishing title became a priority after the enactment of the Homestead Act of 1862, when the US Surveyor General began measuring tracts for settlers. The limiting date for filing a claim, established by the Act of 1851, had long since passed. In 1876, the claimants submitted a petition to the US Congress in order that the claim might be heard in the US District Court. Congress approved the petition; the district court heard the case, confirmed the grant on August 31, 1880, and in 1881 directed a survey in accordance with the original description. The grant was patented to the heirs of Miguel Cordero in 1883.
In 1880 Vincente Cordero, son of Miguel Cordero, sold his interest to Colonel W.W. Hollister
and Thomas and Albert Dibblee.
Ranchos of California
The Spanish, and later the Méxican government encouraged settlement of territory now known as California by the establishment of large land grants called ranchos, from which the English ranch is derived. Devoted to raising cattle and sheep, the owners of the ranchos attempted to pattern themselves...
in the Santa Ynez Mountains
Santa Ynez Mountains
The Santa Ynez Mountains are a portion of the Transverse Ranges, part of the Pacific Coast Ranges of the west coast of North America, and are one of the northernmost mountain ranges in Southern California.-Geography:...
of present day Santa Barbara County, California
Santa Barbara County, California
Santa Barbara County is a county located in the southern portion of the U.S. state of California, on the Pacific coast. As of 2010 the county had a population of 423,895. The county seat is Santa Barbara and the largest city is Santa Maria.-History:...
given in 1837 by Governor Juan B. Alvarado to Miguel Cordero. The name means "the crosses". The grant was inland of present day Gaviota Beach
Gaviota, California
Gaviota is an unincorporated town in Santa Barbara County, California located about west of Santa Barbara and south of Buellton. Approximately 35 people live in and near Gaviota. The ZIP Code is 93117, and the community is inside area code 805....
and the Gaviota Tunnel
Gaviota Tunnel
The Gaviota Tunnel is a tunnel on U.S. Route 101 completed in 1953 north of Gaviota State Park, 33 miles northwest of Santa Barbara, California. It is long and tall. Only the northbound lanes of U.S...
.
History
Miguel Estanislao Cordero (1795-1851), son of Mariano Antonio Cordero (1750-1821), was the former majordomo of Mission La Purísima ConcepciónMission La Purísima Concepción
Mission La Purisima Concepción, or La Purisima Mission, with the original Spanish name being La Misión de La Purísima Concepción de la Santísima Virgen María, was founded on the Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin on December 8, 1787...
. In 1822, Miguel Cordero married Maria Antonia Jimenez (1796-1858). Miguel Cordero retired from active military service in 1833, and was granted the two square league Rancho Las Cruces. The rancho was only a few miles east Rancho Cañada de Salsipuedes
Rancho Cañada de Salsipuedes
Rancho Cañada de Salsipuedes was a Mexican land grant in present day Santa Barbara County, California given in 1844 by Governor Manuel Micheltorena to Pedro Cordero. Salsipuedes means "get out if you can", and the name refers to the narrow winding canyons and trails...
granted to his brother Pedro Cordero in 1844.
Miguel Cordero died in 1851, at about the same time the U.S. Congress passed "An Act to Ascertain and Settle Private Land Grant Claims in the State of California". His widow and children did not realize the new requirement. Maria Antonia Jimenez died in 1858, and an undivided interest in Rancho Las Cruces to each of their 9 children. Establishing title became a priority after the enactment of the Homestead Act of 1862, when the US Surveyor General began measuring tracts for settlers. The limiting date for filing a claim, established by the Act of 1851, had long since passed. In 1876, the claimants submitted a petition to the US Congress in order that the claim might be heard in the US District Court. Congress approved the petition; the district court heard the case, confirmed the grant on August 31, 1880, and in 1881 directed a survey in accordance with the original description. The grant was patented to the heirs of Miguel Cordero in 1883.
In 1880 Vincente Cordero, son of Miguel Cordero, sold his interest to Colonel W.W. Hollister
William Welles Hollister
William Welles Hollister was a Californian rancher and entrepreneur.-Ancestors and early life :William Welles Hollister, was born on Jan...
and Thomas and Albert Dibblee.
Historic sites of the Rancho
- Las Cruces Adobe. The home of Miguel Cordero family members, probably constructed in the 1850s or earlier.