Pio de Jesus Pico (1801-1894) was born in the San Gabriel Mission. Being son of a soldier, Jose Maria Pico, and a native of Sonora, Maria Estaquia Lopez. Pio de Jesus Pico had a mixed heritage; a combination of African, Native American, Hispanic, and European. Pio Pico served two terms as governor; the first being quite short about 20 days. Pio Pico was afraid of the encroachment of immigration and favored annexation by France or England instead of the United States.
Pico fled to Mexico to prevent the conquering Americans from capturing him an taking him prisoner. He later reclaimed his title to the land he had previously acquired and invested in more real estate, becoming wealthy and influential. Pico became a private citizen, successful businessman, and served on the Los Angeles City Council. Around 1850, Pio Pico bought the Rancho Paso de Bartolo Viejo from the heirs of Juan Crispin Perez. He built his mansion in 1852 and lived at "El Ranchito" from 1852 to 1892. According to some accounts, the house at one time included 33 rooms. El Ranchito was a gathering place for his neighbors as well as business acquaintances traveling the large distances between settlements. In 1883 a flood wiped out most of the mansion, leaving only the foundation and a few walls. Pico borrowed money and rebuilt the house, this time on a more modest scale. Bad weather, bad luck in business, and other businessmen conspired to deplete his assets. Pio Pico's land was subdivided and his fortune was wiped out. He died shortly after, on September 11, 1894 |
