Famous californians in the 1800s were mexican-americans

Californios, technically, the Spanish-speaking residents of Alta California during the Spanish and Mexican era (1769–1848). More commonly the term referred to the property-holding elite, the 500 families who were given land grants during this period, including the most politically prominent families: the Bandinis, Carrillos, Picos, de la Guerras, Vallejos, Coronels, Castros, Alvarados, and others.

Famous californians in the 1800s were mexican-americans

Together they enjoyed economic and political dominance during the Mexican era (1821–1848). Among their numbers were a few Americans who had married into Californio families, such as Abel Stearns and John Warner.

Prominent Californios served as members of the State Constitutional Convention that met at Monterey in 1849.

Others served as officials of town and county governments during the first few decades after the American takeover. After 1848, however, the economic and political fortunes of the Californios generally declined because of the immigration of more than 100,000 p