Ranchos of San Diego CountyThe Mexican ranchos of San Diego County were a colorful and vital part of early California history. Ranchos covered the most fertile lands in San Diego and produced grain, vegetables, and fruits and grazed thousands of head of cattle, sheep, and horses. The dons and doAas who owned the ranchos were wealthy in land and cattle and built large adobe ranch-house complexes. The Kumeyaay, LuiseAo, and CupeAo were the backbone of the ranchos, providing the labor needed to run a successful ranch. Daily life of the dons, doAas, and their families included the Californio traditions of family and religion, dancing and fiestas, roundups and rodeos, and generous hospitality. Many of the ranchos no longer exist. Those that are preserved provide a window into Californiaas past. |
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acres adobe home Andrés Pico Angeles Bandini Baumgartner collection brand brother building built California Canyon Carrillo cattle Cave Couts Cave Johnson Cave Johnson Couts chapel County of San County Parks courtyard Couts Jr Cupeño daughter died Dolores Downey Edward Stokes Estéfana Felipa Osuna Flores John Forster José Antonio Pico Juan María Osuna Juan María Romualdo Kumeyaay land grant left to right Luiseño Luiseño Indians María and Santa María Antonia Argüello María Romualdo Marrón's married María Marrón family Mexican Mission San Luis Native American oldest Ortega owners Parker Dear photograph shows Pío Pico Pollard presidio Ramona ranch house Rancho Agua Hedionda Rancho Buena Vista Rancho Guajome Rancho Peñasquitos Rancho San Dieguito Rancho Santa Margarita Rancho Santa María Rancho Tijuan Refugio restored San Diego County San Luis Rey Santa Ysabel Santiago Argüello SDHS sheep Silvestre Marrón Silvestre's USMC Vicenta vineyard Warner Ranch wife Ygnacia