Rancho San Francisco was a land grant in present day northwestern Los Angeles County and eastern Ventura County, California. It was of 48,612 acres (196.7 km2) by Governor Juan B. Alvarado to Antonio del Valle, a Mexican army officer, in recognition for his service to the state of Alta California. It is not related to the city of San Francisco.
The rancho was the location of the first documented discovery of gold in California in 1842, in Placerita Canyon. The current cities of Santa Clarita and Piru lie within the boundaries of Rancho San Francisco, later known as the Newhall Ranch. The adobe headquarters of the rancho, and the site of the discovery of gold (known today as the "Oak of the Golden Dream"), are designated California Historical Landmarks. The rancho included portions of the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, Topatopa, and Sierra Pelona Mountain ranges.
Read more about Rancho San Francisco: Early History, Gold Discovery, Later History, Historic Designations
Famous quotes containing the words san francisco, san and/or francisco:
“Mining today is an affair of mathematics, of finance, of the latest in engineering skill. Cautious men behind polished desks in San Francisco figure out in advance the amount of metal to a cubic yard, the number of yards washed a day, the cost of each operation. They have no need of grubstakes.”
—Merle Colby, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)
“The gold-digger in the ravines of the mountains is as much a gambler as his fellow in the saloons of San Francisco. What difference does it make whether you shake dirt or shake dice? If you win, society is the loser.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“Today, San Francisco has experienced a double tragedy of incredible proportions. As acting mayor, I order an immediate state of mourning in our city. The city and county of San Francisco must and will pull itself together at this time. We will carry on as best as we possibly can.... I think we all have to share the same sense of shame and the same sense of outrage.”
—Dianne Feinstein (b. 1933)