Jose Amesti

Jose Amesti emigrated from Spain to California via Mexico in the early 1800s arriving at Monterey in 1822. He married acquired a major land holding in Santa Cruz County and made it financially successful. He became an influential figure in the Monterey government built what is today a historically significant home there and left his mark in both Monterey and Santa Cruz counties. All of this played out against a background of great political change and upheaval in Spain Mexico and California.A major element in Amesti's political and business success was his ability to navigate through governmental and political changes as well as the litigation surrounding his land grant that threatened his and his family's financial survival. He was ambitious energetic entrepreneurial and given all that he survived a bit lucky as well. When he died he left a memorable legacy.The story begins in Spain in 1788.