List of pre-statehood mayors of San Diego, California
Encyclopedia
This is a list of pre-statehood mayor
s of San Diego, California
.
See also the
List of mayors of San Diego, California after statehood.
From 1770 San Diego was ruled by a commandant
from the Presidio of San Diego
under the Spanish
and (from 1822) Mexican
governments.
When San Diego became a Pueblo in 1835, an alcalde
(mayor) of San Diego served under the Mexican and pre-statehood United States
governments.
in 1834, after a petition to Governor José Figueroa
endorsed by Commandant Santiago Arguello
. The first Alcade (mayor) Juan María Osuna was elected, defeating Pío Pico
by 13 votes. By 1838, the population shrank enough to lose its pueblo status and was ruled by a Juez de Paz as a partition of the Los Angeles District until San Diego was incorporated as a city under U.S. rule.
The following are the Juez de Paz and Alcades (Justices of the Peace and Mayors) of San Diego. In this table "suplente" means substitute.
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
s of San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
.
See also the
List of mayors of San Diego, California after statehood.
From 1770 San Diego was ruled by a commandant
Commandant
Commandant is a senior title often given to the officer in charge of a large training establishment or academy. This usage is common in anglophone nations...
from the Presidio of San Diego
Presidio of San Diego
El Presidio Reál de San Diego is an historical fort established on May 14, 1769, by Commandant Pedro Fages for Spain. It was the first permanent European settlement on the Pacific Coast of the United States. As the first of the presidios and Spanish missions in California, it was the base of...
under the Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
and (from 1822) Mexican
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
governments.
When San Diego became a Pueblo in 1835, an alcalde
Alcalde
Alcalde , or Alcalde ordinario, is the traditional Spanish municipal magistrate, who had both judicial and administrative functions. An alcalde was, in the absence of a corregidor, the presiding officer of the Castilian cabildo and judge of first instance of a town...
(mayor) of San Diego served under the Mexican and pre-statehood United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
governments.
Commandants of the Presidio of San Diego
| Commandant | Term | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lt. Pedro Fages Pedro Fages Pere Fages Beleta , nicknamed L'Ós , was a soldier, explorer, and the second Spanish military Governor of Las Californias Province of New Spain from 1770 to 1774, and the Governor of Las Californias from 1782 to 1791.-Life:... |
July 1770 – May 1774 | Military Commandant of California |
| Lt. José Francisco Ortega José Francisco Ortega José Francisco Ortega was soldier and early settler of California.-Early life:Ortega was born in 1734 at Zelaya, Guanajuanto, Mexico, where he worked as a warehouse clerk. In 1755, he enlisted and served at the Presidio at Misión Nuestra Señora de Loreto. In 1759 Ortega married María Antonia... |
1773 – 1781 | Acting Commandant from July 1771 |
| Lt. José de Zúñiga José de Züñiga José de Zúñiga was a soldier and early California and Arizona settler.Zúñiga was born 1755 in Cuautitlán, near Mexico City, to Spanish parents.He enlisted on October 18, 1772 as an officer trainee in the frontier army.... |
8 September 1781 – 19 October 1793 | |
| Lt. Antonio Grajera Antonio Grajera Antonio Grajera, soldier and early San Diego, California pioneer.Grajera became a Spanish frontier soldier around 1778.Later, he was promoted as Lt... |
19 October 1793 – 23 August 1799 | |
| Lt. José Front | 23 August 1799 – 1803 | Temporary Commandant ranking Rodriguez |
| Lt. Manuel Rodríguez | 23 August 1799 – late 1806 | Acting Commandant to 1803 |
| Lt. Francisco María Ruiz Francisco María Ruiz Francisco María Ruiz was an early settler of San Diego, CaliforniaRuiz was born 1754 in Loreto, Baja California. He enlisted in the army when he was 26 and sent to Upper California... |
late 1806 – 1807 | 1st time; Acting Commandant. |
| Lt. José de la Guerra y Noriega José de la Guerra y Noriega José Antonio de la Guerra y Noriega was a soldier and early settler of California.-Biography:José de la Guerra was born 1779 at Novales, Cantabria, Spain. As a boy he wished to be a friar... |
1806 – 1807 | "for a short time" |
| Capt. José Raimundo Carrillo José Raimundo Carrillo Captain José Raimundo Carrillo was an early Spanish settler of San Diego, California and founder of the Carrillo family in Spanish California.-Biography:Carrillo was born in 1749 in New Spain at Loreto, Baja California... |
late 1807 – 1809 | |
| Lt. Francisco María Ruiz Francisco María Ruiz Francisco María Ruiz was an early settler of San Diego, CaliforniaRuiz was born 1754 in Loreto, Baja California. He enlisted in the army when he was 26 and sent to Upper California... |
1809 – 1820 | 1st time; Acting Commandant. |
| Capt. Ignacio de Corral | 1810 – 1820 | Never came to California |
| Lt. José María Estudillo José María Estudillo José María Estudillo , was an early settler of San Diego, California and was a governing official during San Diego's Mexican period.-Life:... |
23 October 1820 – September 1821 | 1st time |
| Capt. Francisco María Ruiz Francisco María Ruiz Francisco María Ruiz was an early settler of San Diego, CaliforniaRuiz was born 1754 in Loreto, Baja California. He enlisted in the army when he was 26 and sent to Upper California... |
September 1821 – 1827 | 2nd time; Presidio relinquished by the Spanish 20 April 1822 |
| Lt. José María Estudillo José María Estudillo José María Estudillo , was an early settler of San Diego, California and was a governing official during San Diego's Mexican period.-Life:... |
1827 – 8 April 1830 | 2nd time |
| Lt. Santiago Argüello Santiago Argüello -Life:Santiago Argüello was born in Monterey, California, the son of José Darío Argüello, a soldier, and María Ignacia Moraga, a niece of the acting governor of Alta California. Argüello was tall and stout. His fair complexion and black hair, along with his reserved manner gave him a regal... |
8 April 1830 – 1835 | |
| Capt. Agustín V. Zamorano | 1835 – 1840 | Never assumed command; was in San Diego only during 1837–1838 |
| Capt. Pablo de la Portillà Pablo de la Portillà Pablo de la Portillà was a soldier and pioneer in nineteenth-century California.Capt. Portillà served in the frontier Spanish army.He arrived in 1819 with his troops on the Cossack from Mazatlán, Mexico.... |
1835 – 1838 | Nominally commandant by rank whenever present |
Alcades of the Pueblo of San Diego
San Diego became a puebloPueblo
Pueblo is a term used to describe modern communities of Native Americans in the Southwestern United States of America. The first Spanish explorers of the Southwest used this term to describe the communities housed in apartment-like structures built of stone, adobe mud, and other local material...
in 1834, after a petition to Governor José Figueroa
José Figueroa
General José Figueroa , was a General and the Mexican territorial Governor of Alta California from 1833 to 1835.Figueroa oversaw the initial secularization of the missions of upper California, which included the expulsion of the Spanish Franciscan mission officials.This also involved the issuing of...
endorsed by Commandant Santiago Arguello
Santiago Argüello
-Life:Santiago Argüello was born in Monterey, California, the son of José Darío Argüello, a soldier, and María Ignacia Moraga, a niece of the acting governor of Alta California. Argüello was tall and stout. His fair complexion and black hair, along with his reserved manner gave him a regal...
. The first Alcade (mayor) Juan María Osuna was elected, defeating Pío Pico
Pío Pico
Pío de Jesús Pico was the last Governor of Alta California under Mexican rule.-Origins:...
by 13 votes. By 1838, the population shrank enough to lose its pueblo status and was ruled by a Juez de Paz as a partition of the Los Angeles District until San Diego was incorporated as a city under U.S. rule.
The following are the Juez de Paz and Alcades (Justices of the Peace and Mayors) of San Diego. In this table "suplente" means substitute.
| Alcalde | Term | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Juan María Osuna Juan María Osuna Juan María Osuna was an early settler of San Diego, California-Life:Juan María Osuna was born 1785 in California to Juan Hismerio Osuna and Maria Alvarado. He was a soldier and corporal of the San Diego Company and settled in San Diego... |
1 January 1835 – 1836 | 1st time |
| Santiago Argüello Santiago Argüello -Life:Santiago Argüello was born in Monterey, California, the son of José Darío Argüello, a soldier, and María Ignacia Moraga, a niece of the acting governor of Alta California. Argüello was tall and stout. His fair complexion and black hair, along with his reserved manner gave him a regal... |
1836 – 1837 | Also last full-time Commandant |
| José Antonio Estudillo José Antonio Estudillo José Antonio Estudillo was a Californio and an early settler of San Diego, California when California was part of New Spain.-Life:... |
1837 – 1839 | 1st time; previously Commandant |
| Juan María Marrón Juan María Marrón Juan María Marrón was an early settler of San Diego, California.-Life:Marrón was a ship's captain before settling San Diego in the early 1820s. In 1834 Marrón, married Felipa Osuna , the daughter of Juan María Osuna... |
1839 – 1841 | 1st time |
| Rosario E. Aguilar Rosario E. Aguilar Rosario E. Aguilar was an early settler of San Diego, California.-Life:Aguilar was born around 1792 in Spain.He was corporal of the mission guard at San Diego, and had a house on site of the present town, in 1821. In 1827, Aguilar built the Jolly Boy saloon on the town square... |
1841 | Juez de Paz |
| Jesús Moreno | 1841 | Suplente |
| José Antonio Congora | 1842 | Juez de Paz; 1st time |
| José María Alvarado José María Alvarado José María Alvarado was the son of Juan Bautista Alvarado and María Raimunda Yorba.-Life:... |
1842 | Suplente |
| José Joaquin Ortega | 1843 – May 1843 | Juez de Paz; 1st time |
| José Antonio Congora | May 1843 – 1843 | Juez de Paz; 2nd time |
| José María Orozco | 1843 | Suplente |
| Juan María Marrón Juan María Marrón Juan María Marrón was an early settler of San Diego, California.-Life:Marrón was a ship's captain before settling San Diego in the early 1820s. In 1834 Marrón, married Felipa Osuna , the daughter of Juan María Osuna... |
1844 | Juez de Paz; 2nd time; b. February 8, 1808 |
| Thomas Wrightington Thomas Wrightington Thomas Wrightington was an early settler of San Diego, California.Thomas Wrightington was born c. 1797 in Massachusetts... |
1844 | Suplente; 1st time |
| Francisco María Alvarado Francisco María Alvarado Francisco María Alvarado was an early settler of San Diego, California.Alvarado was born around 1793 to a Spanish soldier. He married Tomasa Pico, the sister of Pío Pico, the last Mexican governor of Alta California.... |
1845 | Juez de Paz |
| José Antonio Estudillo José Antonio Estudillo José Antonio Estudillo was a Californio and an early settler of San Diego, California when California was part of New Spain.-Life:... |
1845 | Juez de Paz (temporary); 2nd time |
| José Ramon Argüello José Ramon Argüello José Ramon Argüello was the son of Santiago Argüello, a Commandant and later Alcalde of San Diego,and María del Pilar Ortega.Argüello married María Ysabella Alviso.... |
1845 – April 1845 | Suplente |
| José Antonio Estudillo José Antonio Estudillo José Antonio Estudillo was a Californio and an early settler of San Diego, California when California was part of New Spain.-Life:... |
April 1846 – 1846 | Sub-prefect; 3rd time; served until arrival of Americans |
| Juan María Osuna Juan María Osuna Juan María Osuna was an early settler of San Diego, California-Life:Juan María Osuna was born 1785 in California to Juan Hismerio Osuna and Maria Alvarado. He was a soldier and corporal of the San Diego Company and settled in San Diego... |
1846 | Juez de Paz; 2nd time(?); at first declined office, possibly did not act |
| Miguel Pedrorena Miguel Pedrorena Miguel Telesford Pedrorena or Miguel de Pedrorena was an early settler of San Diego, California-Life:Miguel Pedroena moved to San Diego in 1845. He married María Antonia Estudillo, daughter of José Antonio Estudillo and María Victoria... |
1846 | Juez de Paz; served in Estudillo's absence |
| José Joaquin Ortega | August 1846 – August 1846 | Juez de Paz; 2nd time; 1st under American rule |
| Henry D. Fitch Henry D. Fitch Henry Delano Fitch was an early settler of San Diego, California.-Life:Henry D. Fitch was born 1799 in New Bedford, Massachusetts. He was a sea captain and trader... |
August 1846 – June 1847 | Suplente; Juez de Paz in 1847 |
| Lt. Robert Clift, Jr. Robert Clift, Jr. Robert Clift, Jr. was an American soldier and early settler in California.Clift was born in Dymock, England to Robert Sr. and Elizabeth Clift, who would later convert to Mormonism and emigrate to the United States.... |
June 1847 – 1847 | Suplente; also Juez de Paz to March 1848 |
| Philip Crosthwaite Philip Crosthwaite Philip Crosthwaite was an early settler of San Diego, California and Rosarito, Baja California.-Early life:... |
1847 | Suplente; possibly appointed with Fitch |
| Thomas Wrightington Thomas Wrightington Thomas Wrightington was an early settler of San Diego, California.Thomas Wrightington was born c. 1797 in Massachusetts... |
1847 – March 1848 | Suplente; 2nd time; possibly served in Crosthwaite's place |
| Juan Bandini Juan Bandini Juan Bandini was an early settler of what would become San Diego, California.-Early history:Juan Bandini was born 1800 in Lima, Peru to José Bandini, a Spanish sea captain. His father came to California in 1819 and 1821 and participated in the Mexican War of Independence... |
29 March 1848 – 27 September 1848 | Juez de Paz |
| E. L. Brown | 15 April 1848 – 1848 | |
| Juan María Marrón Juan María Marrón Juan María Marrón was an early settler of San Diego, California.-Life:Marrón was a ship's captain before settling San Diego in the early 1820s. In 1834 Marrón, married Felipa Osuna , the daughter of Juan María Osuna... |
3 October 1848 – 1849 | Juez de Paz |
| Dennis Gahagan Dennis Gahagan Dennis Gahagan was an immigrant in the Mexican Pueblo de San Diego in territorial California, and early settler in the City of San Diego in the new U.S. state of California.-Mexican–American War:... |
1849 – 1850 | Alcalde |
| Thomas W. Sutherland Thomas W. Sutherland Thomas W. Sutherland was an early settler and attorney in San Diego, California.Thomas W. Sutherland was born c. 1817 in Pennsylvania and moved to San Diego sometime before 1850.Sutherland and his wife Joanna Thomas W. Sutherland (c. 1817–) was an early settler and attorney in San Diego,... |
March 1850 – 1850 | Acting Alcalde |
External links
- Mayors of U.S. Cities: San Diego
- "Justices of the Peace (Alcaldes)", History of San Diego by Richard F. Pourade
- "List of Spanish and Mexican Military Commandants at San Diego, 1769–1840", History of San Diego by Richard F. Pourade
- "List of Spanish and Mexican Military Commandants at San Diego, 1769–1840", History of San Diego by William E. Smythe