Become a Part of Rancho La Laguna’s
Living History
From the Times of the California Land Grant
With a size and established structure rarely found on today’s market, Rancho La Laguna is offered for the first time in over 20 years. This legacy property and its nearly 4,000 acres of preserved rural character present a valuable opportunity to become a part of the long-woven historical fabric of the Santa Ynez Valley through one of the grandest and most expansive ranchland properties offered in recent times.
1845 Letter from Stg. Octaviano Gutierrez
On May 24, 1845 retired Artillery Sgt. Octaviano Gutierrez of Santa Barbara petitioned acting Governor Pio Pico for 3 leagues (about 13,000 acres) to raise cattle and maintain his family. On November 13, 1845 Pio Pico granted the request for La Laguna but identified it as lying between other named Ranchos in the area by a very rough hand drawn map.
This is a copy of the actual map accompanying the application and grant. It is not decipherable, and it shows the lack of knowledge of the back country. Hence the long period between the grant and the final definition of boundaries. (This map is not unusual--other grants in the back country had equally vague diseños (maps).
Sgt. Octaviano’s original letter, translated from Spanish:
"To His Excellency the Governor (Pio Pico) —
Octaviano Gutierrez, retired Sergeant of the National Corps of Artillery, a Mexican by birth. Before the justification of Your Excellency, representation makes in due form, that having served thirty one years in the military service, he last year obtained his provisional discharge
Finding himself with a numerous family to maintain, he has no other recourse than to solicit a land in which to place a small number of cattle which he has acquired. He petitions that there may be given to him the place of La Laguna, distant five leagues from Santa Ynez to the North. Praying Your Excellency to give him three square leagues, to settle in said place, for he thinks that only in this manner can he maintain ten children, almost all minors, for he has only one son grown up. All the rest of the family being daughters, and the person representing is in bad health. But my distinguished Chief and Señor, nevertheless if my services can be of any use to Your Excellency, I will furnish them with pleasure, whenever your Excellency may direct.
Wherefore he earnestly prays and beseeches Your Excellency, that in view of the foregoing he may obtain, from Your Excellency's kind heart, the grant of the favor he requests, for which he will live grateful. Excusing at the same time, that this does not go on stamped paper, there being none in this place.
San Francisco de la Laguna, May 24, 1845
(Signed) Octaviano Gutierrez."
The letter grant from Governor Pio Pico of Rancho La Laguna
Translated from Spanish:
"Pio Pico, Senior Vocal of the Departmental Assembly and provisional Governor of the Californias.
"Whereas Don Octaviano Gutierrez has for his own personal benefit and that of his family petitioned for the land known by the name of La Laguna within the boundaries shown on the Map which accompanied his petition, …………. in the name of the Mexican Nation, I have by decree of this day granted him the aforesaid land declaring to him the ownership of it as these presents in conformity with the law of August 18, 1824 and regulation of November 21st 1828 subject to the approval of the Most Excellent Departmental Assembly and under the following conditions, viz:
1st He may enclose it without prejudice to the crossings, roads and servitudes and enjoy it freely and exclusively making such use and cultivation as he may see fit but within one year he will place upon it a house which shall be inhabited …….
2d He will request the proper magistrate to give him judicial possession in virtue of this order by whom the boundaries will be marked out subject to those which are legally shown as boundaries of the lands of Don Julian Foxen, Don Jose Antonio de la Guerra, Don Joaquin Carrillo, and Don Jose Maria Covarrubias.
3d The land granted in donation is that shown by the map which goes with the respective expedients. The magistrate who may put him in possession will cause it to be measured in conformity with ordinance and will report to this Departmental Government………
In consequence I order that being held as firm & valid the present title note be taken of it in the Corresponding Books and to be delivered to the party interested for his security and other purposes.
"In the City of Los Angeles on this communion paper for want of that of the corresponding stamp, on the thirteenth of November one thousand eight hundred and forty five.
(signed) Pio Pico by Jose Ma. Covarrubias. Secretary"