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Spanish
colonialism, replete with their system of presidios, missions and
ranchos, provided California it's unique history. The first land grant in modern California was awarded
by Spain in 1784 to Juan Jose Dominguez (c1723-1809), a career soldier
who served for nearly 30 years in the Spanish military. Today this
land includes the cities, in whole or in part, of Carson, Compton,
Gardena, Lomita, Palos Verdes Estates, Redondo Beach, San Pedro,
Torrance, Wilmington, and West Carson. Rancho San Pedro was also
the only Spanish Rancho to survive through three governments
relatively intact. Less than 20 grants were made during the
Spanish era (1697-1821), and the rest, some 480 of them, were granted
during the Mexican era (1821-1847). After California became a
state in 1850, grantees were required to submit legal documents to prove
their ownership. This process took more than three decades, and it
ruined all but a few. |
California Ranchos |