From Land Grant to Landmark

Originally an indian rancheria, Rancho Santa Fe passed through several hands before becoming a residential community. In 1831, Lebrado Lilva obtained a portion of Rancho San Dieguito under a provisional grant issued by Mexican Governor Manual Victoria. After Victoria's overthrow, Juan Maria Osuna received permission from Governor Jose M. Echeandia to occupy the land and he too possession of it in 1836.

When the pueblo of san Diego (population of 150) held its first election under Mexican law, Juan Osuna was elected alcalde or mayor. One of his powers included the approval of petitions for land; naturally he approved his own application for the San Dieguito grant. In 1840 or 1841, Governor Juan B. Alvarado gave him a provisional land grant, and finally, in 1845, Governor Pio Pico awarded him full title to the two square leagues of land (8,8224.71 acres) that comprised Rancho San Dieguito.

While Osuna preferred to live in San Diego, he built an adobe home on the ranch for himself and his wife. He left the duties of managing the property to his son Leandro, to whom he gave an existing adobe building. Although a fine alcade, Osuna was also a gambling man, and he lost some of his land to pay off bad debts.

Upon his father's death in 1851, Leandro took possession of the land. A veteran of the Battle of San Pasqual in 1846, Leandro was a man of erratic temperament. His cruel treatment of the Indians led to his demise in 1859. Tiring of this harsh treatment, it was rumored the Indians poisoned Leandro and then told him of his impending agony. Rather than face a slow, painful death, he committed suicide, leaving the care of Rancho San Dieguito entirely in the hands of Juliana Juan Osuna's widow. By 1875, only a small portion of the land remained in the possession of the Osuna family. The last parcel under their ownership, 116 acres, was sold in 1910.

From 1906 to 1917, the Santa Fe Land Improvement Company, a subsidiary of the Santa Fe Railway, purchased all of the lands that made up the original San Dieguito Land Grant. The railway's intent was to use the land to produce wood for railroad ties. E. A. Riley, president of the Santa Fe Railway, planned to plant 4,000 acres with 3,000,000 eucalyptus tree seedlings. The venture proved unsuccessful when it was discovered that eucalyptus would not hold the railroad spikes.

Flooding in the San Dieguito Valley was a problem that had to be solved before real development could take place. With the cooperation of Colonel Ed Fletcher , a noted civic leader and developer, William G. Henshaw, who had acquired extensive riparian rights and reservoir sites, and W.E. Hodges, then vice president of the Santa Fe Railway, the groundwork was laid for the construction of Lake Hodges Dam. The Santa Fe Railway financed the project, Mr. Henshaw contributed the site, and the dam opened the area for orchards and residential development. Soon after it's completion in 1917, the Santa Fe Land Improvement Company began a carefully planned subdivision of its tract, using every source to preserve its beauty and historic traditions. The name was changed to Rancho Santa Fe and construction of the new community started in 1920. All plans for buildings had to be submitted for approval and many restrictions were enforced.

In 1927 the Rancho Santa Fe Association was formed and the Protective Covenant was recorded in 1928 to ensure the orderly development of the area. In spite of the Ranch's growth the careful planning of the Association promises to retain the charm and open space for which the community is noted.