Rancho El Sur was a Mexican land grant in present day Monterey County, California given in 1834 by Governor José Figueroa to Juan Alvarado. The grant extended between the Little Sur River and what is now called Cooper Point.

History

Juan Bautista Alvarado (1809–1882) was granted the two square leagues in 1834. In 1840, Alvarado traded his Rancho El Sur to John B.R. Cooper in exchange for Rancho Bolsa del Potrero y Moro Cojo. Captain John Bautista Rogers Cooper (1791–1872) had married General Vallejo ’s sister Encarnacion in 1827. Alvarado was the nephew of Encarnacion Vallejo.

A claim was filed with the Public Land Commission in 1852 and the grant was patented to John B. R. Cooper in 1866.

Cooper's daughter Amelia, married Eusebio Joseph Molera in 1875. Frances M. Molera (1879-1968), daughter of Eusebio and Amelia Molera, donated the land as Andrew Molera State Park, named in honor of her brother Andrew M. Molera (d. 1931).

Historic sites of the Rancho

• Cooper Cabin. Built in 1861 on the Cooper ranch.

References