Benjamin Wilson

:This article is about the early California land-owner and politician Benjamin D. "Don Benito" Wilson. For other uses, please see Benjamin Wilson (disambiguation).

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Benjamin Davis Wilson (December 1, 1811–March 11, 1878), often called Don Benito, was an honorary Californio when he settled in California's San Gabriel Valley. He was the second elected Mayor of Los Angeles after the United States gained control of California in the Mexican-American War. He bought from Manuel Garfias Rancho San Pascual (present day Pasadena) in 1858, settled there, and began to explore the area. He is credited with organizing the Los Angeles Police Department and was elected to the California Senate from 1855-69.

Related Topics:
December 1 - 1811 - March 11 - 1878 - Don - Californio - California's - San Gabriel Valley - Mayor of Los Angeles - United States - Mexican-American War - Manuel Garfias - Pasadena - 1858 - Los Angeles Police Department - California Senate

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It was he who built the first trail to the top of Mount Wilson and was quite surprised to see abandoned cabins there (these mountains were notorious for harboring bandits). Wilson subdivided his lands into various farms and vineyards, but it wasn't until 1872 that wealthy utopians discovered his valley and created the Indiana Colony, officially founded as Pasadena in 1874.

Related Topics:
Mount Wilson - Farms - Vineyards - 1872 - Indiana Colony - 1874

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Wilson was born in 1811 in Wilson County, Tennessee and was a fur trapper. General George S. Patton, Jr. was Wilson's grandson, through Wilson's daughter, Ruth.

Related Topics:
1811 - Wilson County - Tennessee - General - George S. Patton, Jr.

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Mount Wilson is the most famous monument to Don Benito, but Wilson Avenue in Pasadena and Don Benito School in the Pasadena suburb of Hastings Ranch were also named after him.

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