Leather goods, such as saddles and ropes ( reatas), were very important for the frontier life of Alta California. The buying and selling of products made from cattle raised on California ranchos was what came to be known as the “rancho economy.”Īlong with meat, cattle provided hides that could be converted into many products. From the Castro-Breen Adobe Museum in San Juan Bautista. The Rancho EconomyĬow hides could be used to make important rancho items, such as this rope known as a reata. Over the years, raising cattle and other livestock became the main activity in Alta California and created the rancho economy. After Mexican independence, the ranchos mainly provided a livelihood for the people that owned and worked on them. What Was the Purpose of the Ranchos?ĭuring the Spanish period, the purpose of the ranchos was to raise livestock, primarily cattle, and provide food for the presidios. Of these, only about 30 originated during the Spanish period (1769-1822), while most came about during the Mexican era (1822-1848). Over a period of about 60 years, the Spanish and Mexican governments made about 500 land grants for ranchos in California. It did this through a process of land grants from the territorial government in Alta California. This is the time in which the Mexican government distributed lands that had been under the control of the missions to private individuals. When people talk about the “rancho period” in California, they usually mean the time between the 1830s and the 1850s. This led to the rancho period in California. Most ranchos in California originated as land that the Mexican government awarded to people after the breakup of the mission system, or secularization. These were managed by the military and were usually called Rancho del Rey or “the King’s Ranch.” Later, after Mexican independence, they were known as Rancho de la Nación or “the Nation’s Ranch.” What was the Rancho Period? Spanish RanchosĪfter it began colonizing California, the Spanish government established ranchos for grazing cattle near the presidios. There were a small number of private ranchos during the Spanish period.
In Spanish and Mexican California a rancho mainly meant a cattle farm. This is still its meaning today throughout Latin America. During the Spanish colonial period in the Americas it became associated with a place for raising cattle and other livestock. Rancho is a Spanish word that has many meanings, but most refer to a place where people gather. 18 Learn More About Ranchos in California.17.4 Pío Pico Rancho/Rancho Paso de Bartolo (Los Angeles County).17.2 Rancho San Pedro (Los Angeles County).