Rancho El Pinole
Rancho El Pinole was a 17,761-acre (71.88 km2) Mexican land grant along Carquinez Strait in present day Contra Costa County, California.
It was given in 1842 by Governor Juan Alvarado to Ygnacio Martinez. Rancho El Pinole extended over land that today includes most of the Franklin Ridge, Crockett, Hercules, Martinez, Oleum, Pinole, Rodeo, Selby and Tormey.
Ygnacio Martínez (1774–1848) was commandant of the Presidio of San Francisco from 1822–1827, and again from 1828–1832, and was a member of the town council in 1824 and 1827. Martinez retired in 1831. Martinez represented to the Mexican authorities in 1834, that in consideration of his military service, Governor Luís Antonio Argüello in 1823 gave him title to a tract of land known as Pinole y Canada del Hambre. Martinez stated that he had lost his title papers. Record evidence was not found to support his claim, and he was required to petition anew, which he did in 1837. While proceedings were pending upon the Martinez petition, Felipe Briones in 1839, also petitioned for a grant of El Pinole. In 1842, Governor Alvarado, made a four square league grant of Rancho El Pinole to Ygnacio Martinez, and a three square league grant of Rancho Boca de la Canada del Pinole to Briones.
Martínez did not move his family to the rancho until 1836, living until that time at the Pueblo of San José. To fulfill the requirements upon which grants were made by the government, he proceeded to build a home and other homes of adobe in the valley of Pinole about two and half miles from San Pablo Bay. Martinez occupied and cultivated a large portion of the land, and set out a vineyard and fruit orchards. Ygnacio Martinez died in 1848, and his eleven children inherited his property.Ygnacio Martinez’s daughter, Maria A. Martinez, was married to William A. Richardson. Martinez’s daughter Susana, was married to Colonel William M. Smith.
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