A Pueblo was a type of purely civic colony established in California by the Spanish. They were so called to distinguish them from the missiones and presidios. Pueblo lands were vested, either by proprietary right in the individual, or in companies of individuals, reserving to them certain rights as citizens and colonists. The first settlers were also allowed money and supplies to start on. The first pueblo settlement in AltaCalifornia was made in 1771. The inhabitants of pueblos were permitted by a decree of Philip II, of Spain, to elect their own magistrates, of whom the alcalde was the chief. Lands outside the pueblo grants were reserved for the king, but might be used as a common pasturage. Research Pueblo
An Alcalde or Alcaide is the magistrate in the Spanish and Portuguese towns, to whom the administration of justice and the regulation of the police is committed. His office nearly corresponds to that of the British justice of the peace. The name and the office are of Moorish origin.
An Alcalde was the principal officer in the local government of the earlier towns of California, USA. The office was borrowed from the Spanish settlements, and was first introduced in the mining camps, where the miners made laws and elected officers to enforce them. Research Alcalde
Abbreviations
Research Pueblo
