Don Víctor Ramón Castro (February 2, 1820 – May 5, 1900) was a Californio ranchero, politician, and businessman. He was one of the largest landowners in Contra Costa and served as a Contra Costa County Supervisor.Don Víctor Castro Fights the French
Brentwood Press, by William Mero, retrieved August 1, 2007 He operated one of the first ferries in the Bay Area.

Life

Castro was born at the Presidio of San Francisco in 1820, as the son of Francisco María Castro, who later served as Alcalde of San Jose. His father was later granted Rancho San Pablo. Castro married Luisa Martinez in 1836, the daughter of Don Ygnacio Martinez, grantee of the neighboring Rancho El Pinole. Víctor Castro and his brother Juan José Castro were the grantees of Rancho El Sobrante in 1841. Víctor Castro was elected as a ''juez de campo'' (field judge) in 1840 which gave him authority over roundups and branding of cattle in the area. He was a renowned horseman and helped battle indigenous raiders who attacked other Mexican ranchos. He also warred with American immigrants who

squatted Squatting is the action of occupying an abandoned or unoccupied area of land or a building, usually residential, that the squatter does not own, rent or otherwise have lawful permission to use. The United Nations estimated in 2003 that there ...

on his land after the California Gold Rush. Castro was a local leader in times of both peace and conflict. He remained active as a community leader after the annexation of California and was elected a Contra Costa County supervisor in 1852. Castro was initially buried, along with four of his children, in what is now the El Cerrito Plaza shopping center. According to Findagrave, Victor's remains were re-interred in the 1950s to the Sunset View cemetery, along with several family members.

Legacy

Castro Street in Martinez is named after Victor Castro, and is one of five consecutive streets in the downtown Martinez area that are named for the five sons-in-law of Ygnacio Martinez. Point Isabel promontory and

Point Isabel Regional Shoreline Point Isabel Regional Shoreline in Richmond, California, is operated by East Bay Regional Park District, and is a multi-use park for joggers, windsurfers, kayakers, photographers, picnickers, and people walking dogs. It has access for pedestrians ...

are named after his daughter Isabel.El Cerrito Historical Society
Point Isabel, retrieved July 31, 2007
April 21, 1956, Richmond Independent article Castro Street, Castro Creek, the Castro Rocks, Castro Point, Castro Cove and Castro Ranch Road in Richmond are named after his family.

References

People from Richmond, California Californios County supervisors in California People from San Pablo, California 1817 births 1897 deaths 19th-century American politicians {{California-politician-stub