The remark is often heard, “I knew the San Fernando Valley when it was a
wheat field.” Thousands of Angelenos recall the founding of Van Nuys and
Owensmouth and the platting of Tract 1000, the largest subdivision in
Los Angeles County. And even the newcomers have seen almost unbelievable
development. But what of the valley before Tract 1000; what before the
wheat?
When the Fathers of the Mission of San Fernando completed their Mission
and looked out through its arches their vision could not include land
not theirs. The grant to the Mission described 121,000 acres extending
from mountains to mountains on all sides of the valley, and named the
rancho Mission de San Fernando, and as such it prospered.
Spain encouraged and protected the Missions of California and granted to
them great tracts of land—Mexico plundered and destroyed the Missions
and seized their lands. Among these Mission lands seized by the Mexican
government was the prize of them all, the Mission de San Fernando. For
years chaos reigned at the Mission. The government drove off many of the
Indians, others left and the herds of cattle became legitimate prey
alike for “Gentlemen of Mexico” and Mexican bandits not claiming the
distinction.
In 1846 armed invasion of California was commenced by the Americans.
Governor Pio Pico in a blaze of oratory declared that at any cost the
“Department of California” must be retained as property of Mexico
forever and asked for authority to sell Rancho Mission de San Fernando,
then known as Rancho Ex-Mission, for funds with which to equip an army.
In this emergency the San Fernando Valley was sold as a land bargain
never again equaled, $14,000 for the entire rancho—approximately eleven
cents an acre. Eulogio de Celis purchased the rancho at that figure and
not only did he get a Mexican land bargain but he at once stocked his
big rancho and before the war was over sold horses and cattle to both
sides.
In 1854 General Andres Pico, brother of the Ex-Governor, purchased a
half interest in the rancho for $15,000 and in 1862 this interest passed
to Pio Pico himself. The land holdings of the last Mexican Governor were
equal to an empire. At one time he owned Rancho Paso de Bartolo, his
interest in Rancho San Fernando, his home place called Ranchito, near
Whittier in this County, and Ranchos Las Flores and Santa Margarita,
both tremendous ranches in San Diego County. In addition to his ranchos
he owned a home on the plaza in the Pueblo of Los Angeles and
considerable additional pueblo land in Los Angeles and San Diego. He
built the celebrated Pico House, yet standing, facing the plaza in Los
Angeles. His life was crowned with success at every turn. Under Mexico
he was California’s leading citizen. Under the United States the ranchos
he owned and the honors he had held gave him a prestige accorded few
men.
For $2.00 an acre the Rancho Ex-Mission de San Fernando was sold by Pico
and the son of de Celis to Isaac Lankershim, Charles Maclay, I. N. Van
Nuys and B. F. Porter. Under the ownership of these four men Rancho San
Fernando became a great wheat field and four great fortunes were made
for its owners.
While Pio Pico, who once counted his acres in hundreds of thousands,
spent his last days in abject poverty—his ranchos, his city property,
his hotel and his home all sold for a mortgage—nothing was left—nothing
but his medals of honor and his memories of the past.
[Illustration: _Mission de San Fernando_]