Historical Society Meets to Discuss Spanish-Californian Land Distribution

The Fair Oaks Historical Society will meet Tuesday evening to discuss, among other topics, the acquisition of land in California, which presumably, would include Fair Oaks itself.

Beginning at 6 p.m. inside the  at 7997 California Avenue speaker, Blaine Lamb, chief of the Archaeology, History and Museums Division at California State Parks, will discuss the granting process which included the preparation of disenos or freehand sketch maps, along with other supporting documentation. These disenos furnish unique views of early California, including grant boundaries, structures, cultivated lands, roads, mills bridges, and other features of the natural and built environments.

According to the society's website, during the early 19th century Spanish and Mexican governors of California distributed large tracts of land to private individuals as rewards for military service and political support and later as incentives for foreigners to settle in the remote province.

Blaine’s illustrated presentation will explore the creation and use of the disenos and the ways in which they add to our knowledge of the landscape of Spanish and Mexican California.

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