Mexican Governors of Alta California



When word reached California of the change in political control in Mexico, Governor Solá convened a caucus in April of 1822, including officers from the presidios and padres from the missions, and swore allegiance to the new government.

The change in the province's status was followed by the usual aftermath of revolution--a long period of unrest. California was far from the vortex of the struggle, and thus avoided the bloodshed that characterized Mexico for many years. Even so, California governors during the Mexican period were often harassed by conspiratorial outbreaks. The bonds that tied California to Mexico were even looser than those with Spain; the distance and difficulty of communication, feelings of resentment against Mexican rule, and strong local pride all fed the growth of sectionalism. Increasingly Californians identified themselves with California, not Mexico.

Pablo Vicente Solá; holdover from Spanish regime
1815-1822
Luis Argüello; acting governor
1822-1825
José María de Echeandía
1825-1831
Manuel Victoria
1831-1832
Pio Pico (twenty days)
1832-1832
José María Echeandía (in the south only)
1832-1833
Agustin Vicente Zamorano (in the north only)
1832-1833
José Figueroa
1833-1835
José Castro; acting governor
1835-1836
Nicolás Gutíerrez; acting governor, four months
1836-1836
Mariano Chico; three months
1836-1836
Nicolás Gutíerrez; acting governor, three months
1836-1836
Juan Bautista Alvarado; first revolutionary then constitutional governor
1836-1842
Manuel Micheltoreña
1842-1845
Pio Pico; last Mexican governor of California
1845-1846
José María Flores; leader of government in the last days before surrender
1846-1847

List of Spanish governors.



Source:

MCHS Home Page

History Home Page

Main Index

Name Index