Rancho La Ballona flourished under the most prominent of the founders, Agustín Machado. The well-known ranchero was very successful, and he earned a reputation for his white wines. His word was his bond, and he traded his wares at San Pedro.

Agustín Machado married Maria Petra Buelna in 1924, but she died giving birth to their first child, Juan Bautista. He then married Ramona Sepulveda, from the rancho to the north. Ramona gave him 14 more children. They were: María Josefa Delfina, Martina, Vicenta Ferrer (my great grandmother who married Francisco Lugo), José Domingo, José Dolores, María Ascencion, Susana, José Franciso, Bernardino, Candelaria Onofre, José Ramón Tomás, Jose Juan Rafael, Andres Manuel, and José de la Luz de los Reyes.

Many of my generation remember José de la Luz Machado and his wife, Marie, who lived on Overland Avenue. Legend has it that José de la Luz Machado, a single man, often enjoyed dining with friends in nearby Palms. Their cook, Marie Greber, who had come from Alsace-Lorraine, was extraordinary in his view. He tried to entice her to work for him, but she was loyal to her employers and refused his offer. But he asked her to marry him, she agreed, and they raised their two sons, José Carlo and José Oscar here. Mrs. Machado was widowed early and became a well-known figure at council meetings. She never hesitated to state her mind! Both boys remained in town, worked for the City of Culver City and raised their children in town.

In 1926, Ygnacio Machado married Estefana Palomares and eventually they moved to the south and built what we know today as the Centinela Adobe. Some of the Talamantes family stayed on rancho La Ballona, and some moved “next door” to Rancho Rincón de los Bueyes, (Cattle corner), which was Higuera property. (There was no Rancho Higuera…)

Our local Hispanic heritage is rich. Rancho history began under Spanish rule, continued under Mexican jurisdiction, and ended under the U.S. Rancho La Ballona was partitioned in the 1860s, title cleared in 1873. The original linen map is on display at nearby Loyola Marymount University.

Information is plentiful on the Machados, and in fact, the Machado Reunion was celebrated this month. The Culver City Historical Society Archives is open the first and third Saturdays of every month, and by appointment, so stop by to see more about the early settlers. (Entry behind the Veterans Memorial Building.)

If you have an interest specifically in Ygnacio Machado, the Centinela Adobe in Westchester, is open on Sunday afternoons.

On the other hand, my challenge to you, is to help us learn more about the Talamantes family, also founders of La Ballona, and the Higuera family of Rancho Rincón de los Bueyes.