Arguello was a Spanish soldier and California pioneer. Born in “New Spain†(present-day Mexico), he enlisted in the Mexico regiment of dragoons. In 1781 he was promoted to sub-lieutenant and chief officer for what was to become the Presidio of Santa Barbara. Arguello led the first 10 families for the founding of the Pueblo de Los Angeles (present-day Los Angeles) in 1781. He continued onto Santa Barbara when the presidio was founded in 1782. In 1787, Argüello was appointed lieutenant and commandant of the Presidio of San Francisco, serving until 1806, and commandant of the Presidio of Monterey from 1791 to 1796. He was given a land grant known as Rancho de las Pulgas (Ranch of the Fleas). This rancho was the largest grant on the San Francisco Peninsula consisting of 35,260 acres.
