Los Angeles Pobladores

The Los pobladores del pueblo de los Ángeles were the 44 original settlers and 4 soldiers who came from New Spain, which is now part of Mexico, to create a new town in 1781. This town was called the Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles, and it is where the city of Los Angeles, California stands today.

The Governor of Las Californias, Felipe de Neve, wanted to build new communities in California. He made plans for how these towns should look and be run. Finding people who would move there was not easy. Finally, he found families in areas now part of Mexico who agreed to go.

The group of people who moved included eleven families—eleven men, eleven women, and twenty-two children. They came from different backgrounds, showing the rich mix of cultures that helped build this important place.

Rediscovery of the Pobladores

William M. Mason was a historian who studied the early history of Los Angeles and California. He helped us learn more about the first families who lived there. Mason started the Los Angeles Historical Society and wrote books about the area's past.

Los Angeles was founded on September 4, 1781. That day, forty-four pobladores met at the San Gabriel Mission with priests and soldiers. They traveled to the place chosen by Father Juan Crespí to start a town named El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles. This means "The Town of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels" in Spanish.

The first settlers of California, including Los Angeles, came from places now part of Mexico, especially from Sinaloa and Sonora. These people had mixed backgrounds, including Indian, Spanish, and African. Later, more people from Mexico, Central and South America, Asia, Europe, and the United States also moved to the area.

Opportunity and social mobility in a frontier society

Racial origins changed over time

Of the 44 original settlers who founded Los Angeles in 1781, only two were white. Twenty-six had some African ancestry, and sixteen were Native American or of mixed Spanish and Native American heritage. At that time, Alta California was the northern edge of the Spanish empire in the New World. Many of these early settlers had African ancestors, which was common in the northern parts of New Spain. Their descendants grew to form their own culture and sense of identity, eventually becoming known as Californios. Some owned large estates granted by the Crown, while others held important government roles.

Historians sometimes distinguish between "Spaniard" and "Mexican" in terms of race. In the past, Mexico had more enslaved Africans than areas north of it in what is now the United States. Over time, people of mixed backgrounds — such as those with Spanish, Native American, African, or mixed ancestries — became common in California. Many tried to be seen as pure-blooded Spaniards, which could affect their social and economic status. At least seven of the adult settlers were counted this way in a census from 1790. Generally, the descendants of the original settlers identified as either of mixed heritage or, among the more well-known families, as Spaniards.

From settlers to civic leaders, alcaldes and governors

The families of these settlers and soldiers played important roles in shaping Los Angeles. When soldiers retired, they were often given large tracts of land called "ranchos" as a reward for their service. Other settlers also received ranches. These land grants were huge compared to the size of the town and helped create an economy based on cattle ranching. The people who owned these ranches became very influential in Southern California. Important figures included Andrés Pico, and alcaldes Francisco Reyes and Tiburcio Tapia. Pío Pico, the last governor of California under Mexican rule, was a major landowner and businessman. Some descendants, like Eugene Biscailuz, who later became sheriff of Los Angeles, and María Rita Valdes Villa, whose land grant is now Beverly Hills, also made their mark. Throughout the 1800s, these ranch families married among themselves and with merchants from New England, creating lasting alliances.

Contemporary commemoration

Historic Walk of Los Pobladores

Each year over Labor Day Weekend, the "Los Pobladores Historic Walk to Los Angeles" happens. It marks the anniversary of the city's founding on September 4. The walk is organized by the Los Pobladores 200, a group of descendants from the original settlers and soldiers. The cities of San Gabriel and Los Angeles work together to celebrate the walk, which covers the last nine miles to the city center. This tradition began in 1981, started by T. Willard Hunter and the descendants of the city's founders.

Olvera Street Monument

The original plaque at the El Pueblo de Los Ángeles Historical Monument remembering Los Pobladores was installed in the 1950s but was soon removed. A second plaque in the 1970s left out important details about the founders. In 1981, during preparations for Los Angeles' 200th anniversary, scholars helped create a new plaque that correctly showed the diverse backgrounds of the founders. The City Council did not pay for it, so librarian Miriam Matthews funded it herself.

Four plaques were stolen in 2023.

Grand Marian Procession and Mass

Since 2011, a special procession and mass in honor of Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles has been held to remember the founding of Los Angeles in 1781. This event is supported by the Queen of Angels Foundation and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, along with many community leaders. This brings back a tradition that started in 1782 and continued for almost a hundred years.

Founding Families of El Pueblo de la Reina de los Ángeles

From the original, November 19, 1781 Padrón of the Pueblo

Escoltas

The four soldiers (escoltas), together with their families, helped protect the settlers on their way to El Pueblo de Los Angeles.

1. Corporal José Vicente Feliz came from Álamos in New Navarre, New Spain. He married Maria Ygnacia and they had six children. They moved to Alta California with the Anza Expedition in 1775. Sadly, Maria Ygnacia passed away during the journey, but their son Jose Antonio joined them later.

2. Private Roque Jacinto de Cota was born in El Fuerte del Marqués de Montesclaros, New Navarre, New Spain. He married Juana Maria Verdugo, and they lived in San Fernando and later in Los Angeles. Roque helped the settlers travel safely.

3. Private Antonio de Cota was the brother of Roque. He married Maria Bernarda Chigila, and they had two daughters. The family first lived in the Presidio of San Diego before moving to Los Angeles.

4. Private Francisco Salvador de Lugo was born in San Felipe y Santiago de Sinaloa, New Navarre, New Spain. He married Juana Maria Rita Martinez, and they had a daughter. Francisco helped protect the settlers as they traveled.

The Los Angeles Census of 1790

Carried out as part of the Revillagigedo Census of 1793