Page 3 - sw_yesterdaysoflosangeles1927

Where Mexico'ss Flag Last Flew

It T WAS AT La Hacienda del Rancho Paso de Bartolo Viejo,
now known as "the Pico Home," that the Mexican flag was
hauled down, thus terminating Mexican official administra-
tion in California. This historic event occurred August 10, 1846,
one month and three days after Commodore John D. Sloat became
the first American military governor of California.
As the Mexican rule faded so did the glories and breadths of
the home and ranch which the easy-going Pio affectionately called
"El Ranchito." Although El Ranchito stretched over 8,000 acres,
this was just one of the smallest of Pico's holdings in those days
of power.
The Pico home of thirty-three rooms built around a brick-
paved patio was filled with imported furniture and fineries and
was proudly pointed out a the first two-story adobe house in Cali-
fornia. The main hou e was built in 1826.
In the large gardens were rare trees and shrubs. The blue
a h till thriving in front of the main entrance and planted by the
old Don him elf is one of the few of this species in the state. The
greater portion of these gardens and some of the house itself was
swept away in the great San Gabriel flood of 1867.
Pico's administration was short-a little more than two years
-but in that time, historians charge, he despoiled the missions by
indi criminate sales and apportionment of them to political adher-
ents.
The Pico home today stand just off of Whittier boulevard,
two miles northwe t from Whittier, within a few feet of the
Whittier waterworks, and is publicly owned.

John Goodman, 3rd