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Pio Pico: The Last Governor of Mexican California
Two-time governor of Alta, California and prominent businessman after the U.S. annexation, Pío de Jesus Pico was a politically savvy Californio who thrived in both the Mexican and the American periods. This is the first biography of Pico, whose life vibrantly illustrates the opportunities and risks faced by Mexican Americans in those transitional years.
Carlos Manuel Salomon breathes life into the story of Pico, who—despite his mestizo-black heritage—became one of the wealthiest men in California thanks to real estate holdings and who was the last major Californio political figure with economic clout. Salomon traces Pico’s complicated political rise during the Mexican era, leading a revolt against the governor in 1831 that swept him into that office. During his second governorship in 1845 Pico fought in vain to save California from the invading forces of the United States.
Pico faced complex legal and financial problems under the American regime. Salomon argues that it was Pico’s legal struggles with political rivals and land-hungry swindlers that ultimately resulted in the loss of Pico’s entire fortune. Yet as the most litigious Californio of his time, he consistently demonstrated his refusal to become a victim.
Pico is an important transitional figure whose name still resonates in many Southern California locales. His story offers a new view of California history that anticipates a new perspective on the multicultural fabric of the state.
Carlos Manuel Salomon breathes life into the story of Pico, who—despite his mestizo-black heritage—became one of the wealthiest men in California thanks to real estate holdings and who was the last major Californio political figure with economic clout. Salomon traces Pico’s complicated political rise during the Mexican era, leading a revolt against the governor in 1831 that swept him into that office. During his second governorship in 1845 Pico fought in vain to save California from the invading forces of the United States.
Pico faced complex legal and financial problems under the American regime. Salomon argues that it was Pico’s legal struggles with political rivals and land-hungry swindlers that ultimately resulted in the loss of Pico’s entire fortune. Yet as the most litigious Californio of his time, he consistently demonstrated his refusal to become a victim.
Pico is an important transitional figure whose name still resonates in many Southern California locales. His story offers a new view of California history that anticipates a new perspective on the multicultural fabric of the state.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published May 14, 2010
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October 29, 2026
Pio Pico: The Last Governor of Mexican California by Carlos Manuel Salomon is the story of a man who ruled California when it was part of Mexico and continued -- for the most part -= to thrive even when it became part of the United States. That Mexican California is now shrouded in myth, mostly concentrating on Junipero Serra's missions. What the myth leaves out are the Californios, the ranchers and vaqueros who lived outside the missions.
Unfortunately, Pico died in poverty, having been deceived by his trusting nature by Yankee sharpers who robbed him blind. Unfortunately, he never bothered to learn English to that the could tell the difference between a loan contract and a bill of sale. He lost his beloved ranchito in Whittier this way. Today he is buried not far from Whittier in a mausoleum built by several Anglo families who had befriended him.
Unfortunately, Pico died in poverty, having been deceived by his trusting nature by Yankee sharpers who robbed him blind. Unfortunately, he never bothered to learn English to that the could tell the difference between a loan contract and a bill of sale. He lost his beloved ranchito in Whittier this way. Today he is buried not far from Whittier in a mausoleum built by several Anglo families who had befriended him.
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review