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VAQUEROS
(Cowboys) $100 to $249
Vaqueros were the backbone of the cattle industry that existed
on the Rancho. Highly skilled at handling horses and cattle,
they were involved in the annual round-ups to count, brand
and slaughter cattle for the hide and tallow trade. Donors
at this level receive a Rancho Los Cerritos memento.
LOS MAYORDOMOS (The Foremen) $250 to $499
The foreman was an important and trusted figure on the Rancho
in the 19th century. It was his role to oversee daily operations
in the absence of the owner, to take care of the animals,
hire and pay workers, order supplies, and maintain the ranch.
Donors at this level receive all of the Vaqueros benefits
plus a book on California.
LOS
GANADEROS (The Cattle Ranchers) $500 to $999
Yankee trader John Temple settled in California in the 1820s,
becoming a Mexican citizen and converting to Catholicism.
In 1843 he purchased the 27,000-acre Rancho Los Cerritos for
$3,000, stocked the land with cattle, and built the existing
two-story, Monterey-style adobe home in 1844. Donors at this
level receive all of the Los Mayordomos benefits plus a matted
photograph of Rancho Los Cerritos (one of series).
LOS
CALIFORNIOS (The Californios) $1,000 to $2,499
The Californios were the first permanent settlers with a European
cultural background in California. The isolation of these
early residents, living so far from the Spanish capital in
Mexico City, produced an independent, self-reliant society.
Donors at this level receive all the Los Ganaderos benefits
plus an invitation for two to a champagne reception held annually
for major supporters.
LOS
FUNDADORES (The Founders) $2,500 to $4,999
The Bixbys entered the region in 1866 when they purchased
Rancho Los Cerritos for $20,000 with their partners, the Flints.
Jotham Bixby managed the sheep ranching operations until the
1880s when he began to subdivide the land and helped found
the City of Long Beach on the southwest corner of the Rancho.
Eventually the cities of Bellflower, Paramount, Signal Hill
and Lakewood were founded on Rancho lands. Donors at this
level receive all the Los Ganaderos benefits plus an invitation
for six to the annual champagne reception for major donors.
LOS
DONS Y LAS DONAS DE PLATA (The Silver Dons & Doņas) $5,000
and above
Spanish settlement of Alta California began in 1769 with the
establishment of the first presidios, missions and pueblos.
In 1784, Manuel Nieto received one of the first three land
grants in California. His 300,000-acre grant, later reduced
to 167,000 acres, included Rancho Los Cerritos. Donors at
this level receive all the Los Ganaderos benefits plus an
invitation for 10 to the annual champagne reception for major
donors. Only donors at this level will receive the unique
opportunity to use Rancho Los Cerritos Historic Site for a
private party hosting up to 100 guests. (food, beverage, rentals
and additional expenses not covered by RLCF).
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