Mariano G. Vallejo

"The following is a student created blog regarding the history of the Petaluma Watershed. This blog is part of a series from students at Casa Grande participating in the Watershed Classroom with educators Paula Biancalana and Jolene Thinnes."

Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo was a rancher and military commander who was granted land by the Spanish. The part of land that he received was named “Vallejo,” after him and the nearby city was named “Benicia,” after his wife. All of this took place in 1843, when he first took a look at the land and spoke the words, “I have made a visit to paradise”. He had many children who unfortunately passed away shortly after. Some survived longer but still had effects or unknown death records. Mariano also had problems during The Flag Revolt in the late 1840’s. He was taken to jail for some time and eventually gave up in trying to stay committed to his people. Many saw him as a great leader in his rising power, but eventually lost all of their trust with undone promises and changes.

By Erandy Pacheco