Nuestra Señora del Refugio Land Patent
Rancho Nuestra de Refugio, a 74,000 acre Spanish land grant that stretches from Cojo Ranch just east of point conception, south through the Gaviota coast to Canada del Corral. This land grant includes the Santa Ynez Mountain range, Alisal Ranch, Santa Ynez including the Zonja Cota, where the current Santa Ynez Chumash Reservation is located.
Original Land Grant was awarded by the Spanish crown 1794 to Jose Francisco Ortega, as an award of war for his 40 plus years of military service to his majesty. Upon Jose Francisco’s death in 1798 the Rancho passed to his son’s Jose Maria Ortega and Jose Francisco The brothers petition the Mexican government and title was granted. Upon the brothers death the Rancho was past down to the heirs. Antonio Maria Ortega son of Jose Maria Ortega an heir to to the Rancho petition the US Government for a patent on the Rancho which was granted to Antonio Maria Ortega in 1866 as a Supreme Court judgment to his heirs and assigns forever.
