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44-641: Andrew Molera State Park is a 4,800 acres (1,900 ha), relatively undeveloped state park on the Big Sur coast of California , United States, preserving land as requested by former owner Frances Molera. Situated at the mouth of the Big Sur River , the property was part of the Rancho El Sur land grant, and later owned by Californio pioneer John Bautista Rogers Cooper and his descendants. Cooper's grandchildren Andrew and Frances Molera inherited

88-526: A land lease from the U.S. government , while Mackinac National Park was handed down to become the first of the Michigan state parks . As with national parks, facilities at state parks are often leased to concessionaires to operate. Breaks Interstate Park is operated under an interstate compact by Virginia state parks , although it is also one of the Kentucky state parks , straddling both sides of

132-507: A claim for Rancho El Sur with the Public Land Commission in 1852 but he only received the legal land patent after years of litigation in 1866. While the majority (97%) of these cases were resolved by 1885, a few cases were litigated into the 1940s. Jose Castro filed a claim for Rancho San Jose y Sur Chiquito in 1853. He sold his land before his claim was decided. Before his case was decided, 32 others filed claims with

176-569: A home on the ranch in 1899, but died soon after. John B.H. Cooper's sister Francisca Guadalupe Amelia Cooper inherited the southern two sections comprising 4,677.5 acres (1,892.9 ha) of Rancho El Sur. When she died, her two children Andrew J. and Francisca (known as Frances) Molera inherited the land, although they lived their adult lives in San Francisco. The ranch became known as the Molera Ranch. Andrew J. Molera owned property in

220-707: A location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational potential. There are state parks under the administration of the government of each U.S. state , some of the Mexican states , and in Brazil . The term is also used in the Australian states of Victoria and New South Wales . The equivalent term used in Canada, Argentina, South Africa, and Belgium, is provincial park . Similar systems of local government maintained parks exist in other countries, but

264-699: A restaurant) for lodging at some parks. These typically use "Resort" in the name, such as "_____ Resort State Park" in West Virginia state parks and "_____ State Resort Park" in neighboring Kentucky state parks , which has 17 such resort parks, the most of any state. Other states use the Resort name inconsistently (like DeGray Lake Resort State Park , the only one out of three resorts in Arkansas state parks ), or have only one such park ( South Carolina state parks ' Hickory Knob State Resort Park ), or do not use

308-662: A year-round waterfall , 40-foot (12 m) Highbridge Falls . Other nearby waterfalls include Limekiln Falls , Salmon Creek Falls , McWay Falls in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park , and Pfeiffer Falls in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park . Andrew Molera State Park has over 20 miles (32 km) of hiking trails. Some run along the shore, others along the Big Sur River, while still others climb to high ridges with views of

352-487: Is closed for exhibit cleaning and updates. The Ventana Wildlife Society has established a Discovery Center within the park. The Discovery Center includes exhibits on local wildlife, including the California condor , and a bird banding laboratory. Scientists and other laboratory employees give regular tours of Andrew Molera State Park, explaining the flora and fauna that are unique to the area. The park also features

396-491: Is located approximately one-third of a mile from the parking area. It is considered the most reliable surfing area in Big Sur. The park is 20 miles (32 km) south of Carmel-by-the-Sea on State Route 1 . Andrew Molera State Park features the historic Cooper Cabin, built in 1861 or 1862. It is the oldest structure in Big Sur. Fur trader John Bautista Rogers Cooper was Andrew Molera's grandfather. The house used by

440-967: The land grants made during the Spanish and Mexican administrations in Alta California . This article established that "All grants of land, made by the Mexican Government... will be respected as valid, to the same extent as they were granted". However, the Congress of the United States eliminated this article on March 10, 1848. As part of the California Land Act of 1851, James Crawford required that official proceedings in California be printed only in English,

484-537: The Castroville area, and encouraged farmers to grow artichokes in 1922. They became a major crop in the Salinas Valley. Molera, who was very obese, died of a sudden heart attack in 1931. His sister Frances became the sole owner of the family's Big Sur property. She arranged in 1965, almost 100 years after her grandfather John B.R. Cooper had gained title, to sell 2,200-acre (890 ha) (section four of

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528-506: The Civilian Conservation Corps and Works Progress Administration . Public Land Commission While the commission eventually confirmed 604 of the 813 claims, almost all of the claims went to court and resulted in protracted litigation. The expense of the long court battles required many land holders to sell portions of the property or even trade it in payment for legal services. A few cases were litigated into

572-570: The Supreme Court . The confirmation process required lawyers, translators, and surveyors, and took an average of 17 years (including the Civil War , 1861–1865) to resolve. It proved expensive for landholders to defend their titles through the court system. In many cases, they had to sell a portion of their land to pay for defense fees or gave attorneys land in lieu of payment. Land under Spanish and Mexican land titles that were rejected by

616-637: The 1820s or 1830s and lay wholly in what is now Baja California as was the Rancho San Antonio Abad , whose origin and title is more obscure. Their titles were never subjected to dispute in U.S. courts. Juana Briones, whose early life started with her selling milk in Yerba Buena (today San Francisco), became the owner of Rancho La Purísima Concepción in Santa Clara County. The rancho had been part of Mission Santa Clara and

660-625: The 1940s. California Senator William M. Gwin presented a bill that was approved by the Senate and the House and became law on March 3, 1851. That for the purpose of ascertaining and settling private land claims in the State of California, a commission shall be, and is hereby, constituted, which shall consist of three commissioners, to be appointed by the President of the United States, by and with

704-470: The United States is Alaska State Parks , with over 100 sites encompassing 3.3 million acres. Many states include designations beyond "state park" in their state parks systems. Other designations might be state recreation areas , state beaches, and state nature reserves . Some state park systems include long-distance trails and historic sites . To encourage tourism in rural areas, several states have simple lodges, inns, hotels, or motels (usually with

748-506: The advice and consent of the Senate, which commission shall continue for three years from the date of this act, unless sooner discontinued by the President of the United States. The Act established a three-member Board of Land Commissioners, to be appointed by the President for a three-year term (the period was twice extended by Congress, resulting in a five-year total term of service). The Act required all holders of Spanish and Mexican land grants to present their titles for confirmation before

792-511: The board finally adjourned sine die . American officials acquired the provincial land records of the Spanish and Mexican governments in the capital at Monterey. The new state's leaders soon discovered that the Mexican government had given a number of grants to Californios just before the Americans gained control. The Mexican governors had rewarded faithful supporters and hoped to prevent

836-502: The commission. Unless grantees presented evidence supporting their title within two years, the property would automatically pass into the public domain . This requirement was contrary to Article Eight of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo , under which the United States agreed to respect the hundreds of land grants, many quite substantial, granted by the Spanish and Mexican governments to private landowners. Articles Nine and Ten guaranteed

880-469: The court that they owned a portion of his rancho. His successors litigated the claim for years. In 1882, Castro's original claim was finally validated by the court, and President Grover Cleveland signed the land patent on May 4, 1888, 35 years after Castro's initial filing. Article X of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, drafted by Bernardo Couto, Miguel Aristáin, and Luis Cuevas , was intended to protect

924-421: The courts entered the public domain. This resulted in conflicting claims by the grantees, squatters, and settlers seeking the same land. Congress was pressured to change the law. Under the earlier Preemption Act of 1841 , squatters were able to pre-empt others' claims to land and acquire clear title by paying $ 1.25 an acre for up to a maximum of 160 acres (0.65 km ). After the federal Homestead Act of 1862

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968-478: The designation at all (such as the lodges of Georgia state parks ). The term "lodge" may also refer to a hiking lodge , essentially a large cabin for hikers rather than a large facility with private rooms and a restaurant. Other lodging may include yurts and tipis . Not all parks owned by a state are necessarily part of its state-park system, such as Stone Mountain Park near Atlanta. Some Texas state parks are

1012-594: The entire Big Sur coast. The only camping available in the park is in a 24-site walk-in campground. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. The campground is particularly popular with European visitors. No dogs are allowed on the trails or campground. Point Sur State Marine Reserve and Marine Conservation Area are marine protected areas offshore from Andrew Molera State Park. Like underwater parks, these marine protected areas help conserve ocean wildlife and marine ecosystems. John Bautista Rogers Cooper traded Rancho Bolsa del Potrero y Moro Cojo in

1056-536: The first “English only” rule in the US that lasted until 1966. This is a state that had almost no English speakers until the 1848 Gold Rush. "Legal battles have continued into the 21st century over the ownership of the land grants" and many people claim their land was unfairly seized as a direct consequence of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which itself was the outcome of the Mexican-American war. One of

1100-513: The gold rush been of little value and boundary locations were often quite vague, referring to an oak tree, a cow skull on a pile of rocks, a creek, and in some cases a mountain range. Even in cases where the boundaries were more specific, many markers had been destroyed before accurate surveys could be made. While the Land Commission confirmed 604 of the 813 claims it reviewed, most decisions were appealed to US District Court and some to

1144-486: The largest state park in the United States . In addition to preserving natural landscapes and providing recreational opportunities, many state parks also serve as important educational resources . They often offer guided tours, interpretive programs, and exhibits that help visitors learn about the local flora , fauna , geology , and cultural history of the area. These programs are designed not only to enhance

1188-488: The more significant sets of claims was filed on February 19, 1853, on behalf of the Roman Catholic Church by Archbishop Joseph Sadoc Alemany , wherein he sought the return of all former mission lands in the State. Ownership of 1,051 acres (4.25 km ) (for all practical intents being the exact area of land occupied by the original mission buildings, cemeteries, and gardens) was subsequently conveyed to

1232-691: The northern Salinas Valley with Juan Bautista Alvarado for the Rancho El Sur where the state park is located today. When the Mexican government ceded California to the United States after the Mexican–American War , the Land Act of 1851 required grantees to provide proof of their title. Cooper filed a claim for Rancho El Sur with the Public Land Commission in 1852, and he received the legal land patent after years of litigation in 1866. Cooper's son John Bautista Henry Cooper built

1276-443: The original Rancho El Sur) of the southern portion of the original Cooper land grant west of Highway 1 to The Nature Conservancy with the intent that it should become a state park. The conservancy held the shoreline property in trust until the state of California could finance the purchase of the land. Frances Molera stipulated that the park should be named Andrew Molera State Park in honor of her brother. She also added provisions to

1320-479: The property from their mother in 1918. Andrew popularized the artichoke in California in 1922, and died in 1931. In 1965, Frances sold the property to The Nature Conservancy , stipulating that the park to be created should be named for her brother. Activities at the park include hiking , fishing and beachcombing , with miles of trails winding through redwood groves, meadows , beaches, and hilltops. A primitive walk-in trail camp, popular with hikers and bikers,

1364-519: The property rights of Mexican nationals. The land commission opened its sessions at San Francisco on January 2, 1852. It then consisted, by appointment of President Millard Fillmore , of Hiland Hall , Harry I. Thornton , and James Wilson as commissioners. In 1853 President Franklin Pierce changed the board by the appointment of Alpheus Felch , Thompson Campbell and R. Augustus Thompson as commissioners. Their commissions would, in accordance with

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1408-406: The ranch foreman has been preserved and is used as a museum. It includes displays of Big Sur's Native American and pioneer history, artists' exhibits, and historical artifacts. The museum is normally open mid-day on weekends during the summer, and in the winter when volunteers are available. The museum is located about .2 miles (0.32 km) south of the parking lot. As of March 2022, the museum

1452-463: The recent American arrivals from gaining control of the land. The commission required grantees to prove the validity of the grants they had received, including whether the grantee had fulfilled the requirements of the Mexican colonization laws. This included establishing a home in the land within one year. Grantees also had to establish their grant's exact boundaries. The early diseños or maps available were often little more than sketches. Land had until

1496-481: The sale requiring that the land remain relatively undeveloped. She died in 1968. When the California state park administration began to propose considerable development for the park, the Nature Conservancy threatened to revoke the sale arrangement, and the state backed down. The remaining 2,654.7 acres (1,074.3 ha) of Frances Molera's half of the original Rancho El Sur east of Highway 1 was purchased by

1540-524: The sliver of Alta California that Mexico retained under the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which became part of Baja California . Rancho Tía Juana lost the title to its land in San Diego County but the balance of the rancho in Mexico was confirmed by the Mexican government in the 1880s. Rancho El Rosario , Rancho Cueros de Venado and Rancho Tecate were each granted to citizens of San Diego in

1584-474: The state line. Other multi-state parks are legally two separate parks with the same name and more informal cooperation between them. The title of oldest state park in the United States is claimed by Niagara Falls State Park in New York , established in 1885. Several public parks previously or currently maintained at the state level pre-date it. Indian Springs State Park has been operated continuously by

1628-454: The state of Georgia as a public park since 1825, although it did not gain the title "State Park" until 1931. In 1864 Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove were ceded by the federal government to California until Yosemite National Park was proclaimed in 1890. In 1878 Wisconsin set aside a vast swath of its northern forests as "The State Park" but, needing money, sold most of it to lumber companies within 20 years. Mackinac National Park

1672-480: The state soon after her death. The northern 7,100 acres (2,873 ha) of John. B.R. Cooper's share of the Rancho El Sur comprising 13 parcels is the modern-day El Sur Ranch . State park State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the sub-national level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve

1716-475: The terminology varies. State parks are thus similar to national parks , but under state rather than federal administration. Similarly, local government entities below state level may maintain parks, e.g., regional parks or county parks . In general, state parks are smaller than national parks, with a few exceptions such as Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in California, and Wood-Tikchik State Park in Alaska,

1760-458: The terms of the act, have expired in March, 1854; but previous to that time the operation of its provisions as to their power to act was extended for one year longer and afterward for another year. In 1854 Peter Lott was appointed commissioner in place of Campbell; and in 1855 S. B. Farwell was appointed commissioner in place of Lott. On March 3, 1856, five years after the passage of the original act,

1804-575: The visitor experience but also to promote conservation awareness and encourage responsible enjoyment of natural resources. There are 6,792 state park units in the United States, according to the National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD). There are some 813 million annual visits to the country's state parks. The NASPD further counts over 43,000 miles (69,000 km) of trail, 217,367 campsites, and 8,277 cabins and lodges across U.S. state parks. The largest state park system in

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1848-473: Was established in 1875 as the second U.S. national park before being converted to a state park in 1895. The first state park with the designation of "state park" was Itasca State Park in Minnesota , established in 1891. Many state park systems date to the 1930s, when around 800 state parks (and several national ones) across the country were developed with assistance from federal job-creation programs like

1892-443: Was granted to Gorgonio, a well-respected Indian of that mission. Juana was a friend of Gorgonio and his family bought the 4,400-acre rancho from Gorgonio in 1844. The rancho took in what is today Sunnyvale and Los Altos. Later, she was one of the founding members of Mayfield (today's Palo Alto), where she lived until she died in 1889. The Commission eventually confirmed 604 of the 813 claims received. John Bautista Rogers Cooper filed

1936-401: Was passed, anyone could claim up to 160 acres (0.65 km ) of public land. This resulted in additional pressure on Congress, and beginning with Rancho Suscol in 1863, it passed special acts that allowed certain claimants to pre-empt their land without regard to acreage. By 1866 this privilege was extended to all owners of rejected claims. A number of ranchos remained in whole or part in

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