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The
establishment of Villa de Branciforte as a civil settlement, as
well as the creation of the Los Angeles and San Jose settlements,
is a unique occurrence in Spanish colonial history. Unlike the Missions,
these were established by and for civilians. However, the secular
side of the California history during the late 18th and early 19th
centuries has been overshadowed by a predominant focus on the Missions
history.
The
secular history of Alta California is an important part of California's
connection to the westward expansion of European culture, as well
as the foundation of California's Hispanic traditions.
Villa
de Branciforte witnessed far greater cultural diversity, individual
freedom, democracy and free enterprise than were found in Spain,
Mexico or in the California Missions. The settlement was independent
from the Church and the settlers at Villa de Branciforte were often
at odds with Mission Santa Cruz. The colonists were a collection
of merchants, explorers and retired soldiers.
They
arrived with little more than their bare hands to work with and
were able to sustain the colony for generations, with little support
from Spain or Mexico. They settled the County, developed its industries
and pushed for greater autonomy, while remaining independent, mirroring
the strong entrepreneurial traditions of many modern emigrants.
Population
waxed and waned, in a time of considerable social upheaval, with
ownership of California shifting from Spain to Mexico and finally
the USA, and politics dominated by the Crown, the Alcaldes and the
Dons. The secular colony struggled at times, thrived at others and
took part in events that are of local, statewide, and national significance.
Villa
de Branciforte was annexed to the city of Santa Cruz in 1905, and
is known today as East Santa Cruz.
 THE
VILLA WAS LIVELY
By
Margaret Koch
This article was published in the Santa Cruz County History Journal,
Issue Number 3, Special Branciforte Edition, The
Museum of Art & History @ the McPherson Center, Santa Cruz,
1997, and in the Santa Cruz Sentinel, November 16, 1975.
There
was a day when race horses thundered the dusty length of North Branciforte
Avenue to the cheers and shouts of enthusiastic crowds...
In
that day, before pavement, about 170 years ago, the street was a
racetrack for Villa de Branciforte. Lining it on both sides were
small adobe houses Spain controlled the Alta California coastal
areas and Mission Santa Cruz had been established by the Franciscan
Padres in 1793 94.
The
Villa de Branciforte was one of three civil settlements in Alta
California; the others were Los Angeles and San Jose. The Villa
had been established by Spain to foil possible colonization attempts
by Russia, England and France. Spain had no intention of losing
her foothold in the "new world."
In
1796 97 Lt. Alberto de Cordova, a Spanish engineer, and Governor
Diego de Borica, came to Mission Santa Cruz to confirm the site
across the river from the villa. It was to be named for Viceroy
Branciforte of Mexico.
In
July of 1797, eight (or nine) settlers arrived from Guadalajara.
Cordova's plan had called for the expenditure of more then 23,000
pesos which was not done. Settlers also had been promised adobe
homes which did not materialize and payments of 430 pesos over a
period of five years.
One
year later the first settlers, who were by the way, refugees from
Mexican law, told
to
"colonize or go to jail," young Spanish soldiers began
arriving. They had completed 10 years of duty with the military
and were encouraged to settle at the Villa de Branciforte.
Life
at the Villa and life at Santa Cruz Mission were very different.
The Mission padres taught the Indians to plant and sow crops, to
weave, to work leather, to build adobes and do all sorts of useftil
things. They instructed them in religion and lengthy prayers were
held several times daily. Work and church were the routine.
Across
the San Lorenzo River at the Villa, life was exciting and colorful.
There were fiestas and fandangos, aguardiente flowed like water,
gambling was popular, bear and bull fights were wild and horse races
went on even on Sundays much to the shock and indignation of the
padres. At the Villa, the motto was "Pleasure Before Business."
The
pious padres disapproved almost everything the Villa residents did,
and the animosity grew by leaps and bounds between the Mission and
the Villa. These worldly pleasures must have been hard on the Indians
because several of their traditional tribal games were based on
a kind of gambling. When they left the Mission fields and orchards
to join the noisy fun at the Villa, they were punished by the padres.
The
padres protested to the Spanish authorities, then to the Mexican
authorities, but in vain. In 1816, a half hearted attempt was made
to tighten regulations at carefree Villa de Branciforte. From headquarters
in Monterey can the following:
"All
persons must attend Mass and respond in a loud voice, and if any
persons fail to do so, without good cause, they will be put in stocks
for three hours." "Living in adultery, gaming and drunkenness
will not be allowed and he who commits such vices shall be punished.
. . "
The
Villa centered right where Branciforte Elementary School is located
today, on North Branciforte Avenue at Water Street. The State Historical
monument is at the comer there.
The
Villa boundaries reached to Seabright on the south, De Lavega Park
on the north, Branciforte Creek to the west and Morrissey Boulevard
in the east. By 1822 their was a population of 120 in the Villa
according to Leon Rowland's Annals of Santa Cruz.
But
Villa cattle and horses ranged far and wide, creating further problems
and hard feelings with Mission Santa Cruz whose herds also ranged
far and wide.
When
Mission Santa Cruz was secularized in 1833-34, the Villa maintained
it separate identity as a political entity until about 1850, and
as a township for around 55 years. It was called "Spanish Town"
by old time Santa Cruzans. Then in later years, it was known as
East Santa Cruz.
American
squatters (a legal description) settled and held lands there, resulting
in a snarl of legal disputes in the 1860's.
In
1905, the Villa was annexed to the City of Santa Cruz. The bronze
plaque that marks one of Santa Cruz County's most interesting historical
sites was placed by the State of California in 1950.
BRANCIFORTE
HISTORY CHRONOLOGY
By Phil Reader
This article was published in the Santa Cruz County History Journal,
Issue Number 3, Special Branciforte Edition, The
Museum of Art & History @ the McPherson Center, Santa Cruz,
1997.
1542
Under the flag of Spain, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo explores the west
coast of North America.
1565
The crown sponsored Manila Galleons, from New Spain, begin their
yearly trans Pacific voyages of commerce to the Philippines. On
the return trip they pass down the coastline to Acapulco.
1595
Merchant Adventurer Sebastian Rodriguez Cermeno successfully explores
the California for an acceptable port of call for the Manila Galleons.
1602
Sebastian Vizcaino, also in search of a good harbor, discovers Monterey
Bay. His discovery sets the scene for the settlement of the Alta
California Region.
1769
Father Junipero Serra and Captain Gaspar de Portola begin land based
exploration and settlement of Alta California.
1789
May 5, The Nootka Incident - Fearing the loss of the Nootka harbor,
strategically located near Vancouver Island, the Spanish government
dispatched two vessels to the area. Upon arrival they find five
ships already there. Two British, two American and one Portuguese.
Esteban Martinez, the Spanish Captain quickly captures the two British
ships which leads to the threat of war between the two old adversaries.
1790
October 28, A costly war was averted my the compromises which were
reached at the "Nootka Convention." Under the terms which
were finally agreed upon on April 2, 1894, both nations should have
access to the Nootka Sound, but Britain could not enter upon or
establish any bases in Alta California. But Spain continued to view
the British intentions in the Pacific region with a great deal of
suspicion.
1794
Miguel de la Grua Talamanca, the Marques de Branciforte become the
Viceroy of New Spain. Like his predecessors he is acutely aware
of the vulnerability of Spain's Alta California Province. With this
in mind, he sets about planning for the defense of the region.
1794
October 17, Miguel Costanso, a military engineer with geographical
knowledge of the area, sends a letter to Branciforte containing
a plan for the bolstering of California's military defenses - including
the suggestion of settling retired soldiers in a new Villa there.
1796
January to June, Lieutenant Alberto de Cordova, and Diego de Borica,
Governor of Alta California, seek out an appropriate site for the
villa, which is to be named in honor of Viceroy Branciforte. They
investigate several possible locations among them, one at Alameda,
one near the presidio at San Francisco and a third on the east bank
of the San Lorenzo river across from the Santa Cruz mission.
1796
August 4, Governor Borica reports to the Viceroy that the Santa
Cruz side is best suited for settlement and that the "Villa
de Branciforte" be established there.
1797
February 25, Viceroy Branciforte order the establishment of the
villa on the bluff above the San Lorenzo river. The recruitment
of settlers for the new villa begins in New Spain.
1797
May 12, The first group of colonists from Guadalajara, ragged, destitute
and in ill health arrive at Monterey aboard the Concepcion. Seventeen
persons in all - some of them had been convicted of petty crimes.
It would be a month before they are able to continue their journey.
1797
July 24, Governor Diego de Borica formally dedicates the Villa de
Branciforte at the site. At the same time Gabriel Moraga was appointed
the villa's first Comisionado. Soon two other groups of settlers
joined the new community.
1797
August, Lieutenant Cordova surveyed the area and estimated the expense
for the establishing the villa would amount to $23, 405, a staggering
sum for the time. Also at this time, religious authorities from
the California mission chain sent a protest to the Viceroy deploring
the founding of a secular settlement so near Mission Santa Cruz.
1797
December, Comisionado Moraga reported that the colonists were making
steady progress with planting wheat and fencing their fields. As
well as civic improvements such as bridges and pathways. Although
they were too busy to improve the temporary thatched roofed houses
which had been built for them before the arrival. Meanwhile, promised
aid to the settlers was agonizingly slow in arriving. In 1897, forty
people were living in the villa.
1798
August 28, Twenty two more convicts arrive at Monterey from Guanajuato.
Six of this number were assigned to Branciforte.
1798
September, The pioneers or "probadores" were joined by
a contingent of six young "invalidos," soldiers who had
served out ten years enlistment in the army. This was the type of
settler which Governor Borica had hoped to attract. They had military
training and could help carry out his scheme of building up a population
that could be called upon to defend the coast. Paramount among this
group was Jose Antonio Rodriguez and Joaquin Castro, whose descendants
were to play a prominent role in the development of the region.
Also arriving at this time was Sargent Marcelino Brovo, another
influential figure in the early history of Villa de Branciforte.
1799
The population had jumped to seventy. Journeys for purposes of pleasure
outside of Branciforte were forbidden without a travel pass.
1801
November 28, Newly appointed comisionado Ignacio Vallejo took a
census and reported there there were now twenty retired soldiers
living at Villa de Branciforte. A total population of eighty-three.
1802
The population of the Villa reaches a high of one hundred seven.
1802
December 11, The Viceroy orders the suspension of all aid to Branciforte.
Effectively forcing the settlers to go it alone on the frontier.
During this year an attempt was made to establish a civil government
when Jose Vincente Mojica was elected alcalde and Fermin Cordero
and Tomas Prado were elected rigidores.
1800
1807 There was a series of disputes over land at Branciforte pitting
the Villa against the mission. In 1803, Marcelino Brovo filed suit
asking for land on which to run his herd of cattle. He was joined
in the suit by a group of five other invalidos. Brovo would die
before permission was finally granted.
1804
The population of Branciforte plummets young "invalidos,"
soldiers who had to forty one.
1805
The local government experiment lapsed after three years. Felipe
Hernandez was the last alcalde; thereafter and until 1822, a comisionado
was the only authority. Population: thirty-one.
1807
The padres and mission authorities deems that the common lands of
the Villa extend as far as the Soquel River, but not beyond. Population
of the Villa was reported at only seventeen.
1810
Population is back up to forty six.
1817
Governor Sola orders the rounding up all cattle for the purpose
of identification and inventorying. This is the first "rodeo"
held in the Branciforte region.
1818
November 21, The Argentina insurgent Hypolite Bouchard sacks and
burns the Alta California capital of Monterey. Governor Sola orders
Padre Ramon Olbes to abandon Mission Santa Cruz, and flee with his
neophytes to Santa Clara. At the same time, he asks Branciforte
Comisionado Joaquin Buelna to remove all of the valuables from the
mission in case Bouchard should turn his attention to that mission.
Buelna carried out his assignment, keeping an inventory of goods
as he did so. He was joined in his efforts by Majordomo Joaquin
Castro. But group of ruffians broke into the mission storehouse
and made off with some of the goods. Upon his return Olbes flew
into a towering rage and wrote the governor charzing Buelna with
the theft of mission property A three month investigation cleared
Comisionado Buelna of all charges and emotions soon died down.
1820
A huge flood inundates the Branciforte Creek San Lorenzo River delta
bottom lands. Raging waters completely cover the area between Mission
Hill and the Branciforte bluffs.
1821
The population of the Villa rebounds to one hundred and six.
1822
The population had reached one hundred and twenty two and the succession
of alcaldes was resumed, changing yearly. However the population
was too small to entitle it to a ayuntamiento, (municipality) it
was placed under the jurisdiction of the presidio of San Francisco.
In 1828 it was transferred to Monterey.
1822
November, The Russian Jose Bolcoff settles at Branciforte. Bolcoff,
along with Joaquin Buelna were the two most dominant figures in
the history of the Villa.
1821
1822
A series of revolutions in New Spain brings about the creations
of the modern state of Mexico, with Alta California as its northern
most province.
1823
Foreigners begin to arrive at the Villa. Thomas Doak, the first
American settler in California appears at Branciforte.
1820
1840
The development and growth of the "Hide and Tallow" industry
takes place. It quickly becomes the basis of all commerce in Alta
California.
1824
Four other "foreigners" arrive. Julian Wilson, a Virginian,
the Buckle Brothers and William Trevethan, all Englishmen.
1830
The population of Villa de Branciforte is listed one hundred and
fifty.
1833
November, The first Mexican land grant in the Branciforte jurisdiction
occurred when Joaquin Castro received Rancho San Andres. Other grants
quickly followed.
1834
A population level of 210 is reached.
1834
August 9, Secularization of Mission Santa Cruz is begun at the direction
of Governor Jose Figueroa. Branciforte and the mission were merged
under the name Pueblo de Figueroa, but the name never caught on.
Ignacio del Valle was appointed Comisionado. Valle brought about
a number of civic improvements including the construction of governmental
offices and a school.
1836
November, Young Californios Juan B. Alvarado and Jose Castro lead
an insurrection against Mexico, declaring California a free and
sovereign state. One third of Alvarados army was made up of American
sharpshooters lead by Isaac Graham. The revolt ended when the authorities
in Mexico appointed Alvarado governor of Alta California.
1838
A smallpox epidemic sweeps through the region.
1838
August 1, Brancifortean Eugenio Soto's arrow riddled body was found
hanging from a tree near Mission Hill during time when there were
many reported Indian outrages in the region.
1839
April 19, A group of young Branciforteans, including several sons
of Branciforte pioneer Jose Antonio Robles, had been running wildly
around the countryside stealing horses and raising havoc and attracting
the eye of the young ladies of the villa. They defied authorities
so often that a band of them were were rounded up, fastened together
by a rope and were marched off to San Juan Bautista. As horsemen
they felt insulted and humiliated by being force to walk. Defiantly
they refused to comply with their guards orders. Avelino Robles
tore off his shirt and flung it at the soldiers. In response, they
opened fire. Avelino was shot dead and his brother Nicholas wounded.
1840
April, Governor Alvarado, never fully trusting Isaac Graham and
his men, orders the arrest and deportation of all of the foreigners
at Branciforte. They are taken to Monterey and placed aboard ship
and sent into exile in Mexico.
1841
July, After their return from exile Graham and his group settle
in the Zayante region where they established a lumber mill, distillery,
etc.
1842
February 11, Fulgencio Robles, another of the wild Robles boys,
was shot and killed when he rode his horse into a Branciforte adobe
where a group of men were drinking and gambling. Gil Sanchez, the
man who killed Robles was exiled from the area for a year.
1841
October 19, Commodore Thomas A. Catesby Jones, falsely convinced
that The United States was a war with Mexico, sailed into Monterey
Bay and landed his men at the capital. Hearing this Branciforte
shopkeeper Josiah Belden hoisted the stars and Stripes on a flag
pole in front of his place of business. Two day later after being
made aware of his mistake Belden sheepishly hauled down the flag.
1845
A "padron" or census taken in the fall gives the names
of 470 residents of Branciforte and the Santa Cruz area including
80 foreigners.
1846
Political turmoil in Alta California and war between Mexico and
the United States bring about instability in the Province.
1846
July 7, The American flag is raised in Monterey, marking the shift
of power in the region from Mexico to the United States.
About
the Author:
Phil
Reader is a historical and genealogical researcher. Five generations
of his family have lived in Santa Cruz County. He has written several
works on local history with a focus on Live Oak, Law and Order in
early Santa Cruz County, and biographies of African-American pioneers
of Santa Cruz County. Phil is also co-author of the Santa Cruz County
History Journal, Issue Number 3, Special Branciforte Edition, The
Museum of Art & History @ the McPherson Center, Santa Cruz,
1997. Phil Reader is a member of the advisory committee of the Villa
de Branciforte Preservation Society.
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