In 1854, Francisco Estevan Quintana (1809–1880) purchased Rancho Potrero de San Luis Obispo from Maria Concepcion "Chona" Boronda Munoz. After visiting Alta California in 1839 and 1841, Quintana bought a ranch near in the vicinity of Paso Robles. In 1843 he left with a party from New Mexico with his family and livestock, traveling over the Old Spanish Trail to the San Bernardino Valley, then on to San Luis Obispo in 1844. There he served as alcalde of San Luis Obispo in 1845 and 1849.
