Land in California: The Story of Mission Lands, Ranchos, Squatters, Mining Claims, Railroad Grants, Land Scrip, Homesteads

by W.W. Robinson

The story of California can be told in terms of its land. Better still, it can be told in terms of men and women claiming the land. These men and women form a procession that begins in prehistory and comes down to the present moment. Heading the procession are Indians, stemming out of a mysterious past, speaking a babel of tongues, and laying claims to certain hunting, fishing, and acorn-gathering areas-possessory claims doomed to fade quickly before conquering white races. Following the Indians are Spanish speaking soldiers, settlers, and missionaries who, in 1769, began coming up through Lower California and taking over the fertile coast valleys and the harbors of California. Their laws were the Laws of the Indies controlling Spanish colonization and governing ownership of land. Missions, presidios, pueblos, and ranchos were born in the period of these people.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

306 pages, Paperback

First published July 21, 1979

About the author

William Wilcox Robinson

Reviews

[Wanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A workmanlike review of land ownership in California from the days of the missions, presidios and pueblos of the late 18th century to the middle of the 20th century.
For me the most interesting chapters were the early ones about Spanish and Mexican California and the transition to American law. U.S. law was much more precise, detailed and exacting than the old Spanish and Mexican ways.
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[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book about the history of land in California from Native American times to the 1960s. Clearly written discussion of what could be a complicated topic. Great book for lawyers and historians alike