Settlement frontier of Hispanic California to 1890

Includes bibliographical references (pages 124-133)This study describes growth and spread of settlement in the previously settled Hispanic area of California between 1848 and 1890. The objectives of this study are to assess the available data, to determine the aggregate population of the study area throughout the later half of the nineteenth century, to map the populations, and to describe and trace the spread of settlement. To satisfy the last objective, maps need be generated to enable analysis at sub-county areal units.\ud Data required for this study are of two types: published census data, and post office locations. Post office locations were generated from 1955 philatelic publications, and a large quantity of archival and topographic maps. Local histories were also used to supplement this endeavor.\ud A series of maps (nine, spaced at five year intervals) are generated which depict the general spread of settlement from 1848 to 1890. Prior to 1870 major settlement sites were concentrated in the San Francisco Bay area, and from that date to 1890 little change was noted in the settlement frontier north of Monterey. Southern California remained sparsely populated until the late 1870s, when a sudden and noticeable change began to take place. The frontier was expanding. Though slow to spread at first, by 1880 the settlement frontier encompassed the future metropolitan areas of Los Angeles and San Diego. Rapid expansion followed, such that by 1890 little land remained to be settled. The Census Bureau and Frederick J. Turner were essentially correct in relation to Hispanic California. By 1890 the frontier had nearly consumed the study area