Benjamin Davis Wilson (December 1, 1811–March 11, 1878), often called Don Benito, was an honorary Californio when he settled in California's San Gabriel Valley. He was the second elected Mayor of Los Angeles after the United States gained control of California in the Mexican-American War. He bought from Manuel Garfias Rancho San Pascual (present day Pasadena) in 1858, settled there, and began to explore the area. He is credited with organizing the Los Angeles Police Department and was elected to the California Senate from 1855-69. December 1 is the 335th (in leap years the 336th) day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1811 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... 11 March is the 70th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (71st in Leap year). ... 1878 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... D. (usually preceded in English by the) is the abbreviation for the Spanish and the Portuguese honorific Don, a mark of high esteem for a distinguished Christian hidalgo or nobleman. ... A Californio was a Spanish-speaking inhabitant of Alta California who lived there when it was a part of Mexico, before it was taken by the United States after the Mexican-American War. ... State nickname: The Golden State Other U.S. States Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Official languages English Area 410,000 km² (3rd)  - Land 404,298 km²  - Water 20,047 km² (4. ... The San Gabriel Valley is one of the principal valleys of southern California. ... This is a list of mayors of Los Angeles, California. ... Combatants United States Mexico Commanders Strength 60,000 40,000 Casualties KIA: 1,733 Total dead: 13,283 Wounded: 4,152 25,000 (Mexican government estimate) The Mexican-American War was fought between the United States and Mexico between 1846 and 1848. ... Pasadena is a city located in Los Angeles County, California, United States. ... 1858 is a common year starting on Friday. ... The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is the police department of the City of Los Angeles, California. ... The California State Senate is the upper house of the California State Legislature. ...

It was he who built the first trail to the top of Mount Wilson and was quite surprised to see abandoned cabins there (these mountains were notorious for harboring bandits). Wilson subdivided his lands into various farms and vineyards, but it wasn't until 1872 that wealthy utopians discovered his valley and created the Indiana Colony, officially founded as Pasadena in 1874. Mount Wilson lies in the San Gabriel Mountains in Southern California. ... The Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies (FARMS) is an informal collaboration of academics devoted to Mormon apologetics. ... A vineyard A vineyard is a place where grapes are grown for making wine, raisins, or table grapes. ... 1872 was a leap year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... 1874 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ...

Wilson was born in 1811 in Wilson County, Tennessee and was a fur trapper. General George S. Patton, Jr. was Wilson's grandson, through Wilson's daughter, Ruth. 1811 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... Wilson County is a county located in the state of Tennessee. ... State nickname: Volunteer State Official languages English Capital Nashville Largest city Memphis Governor Phil Bredesen (D) Senators Bill Frist (R) Lamar Alexander (R) Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 36th 109,247 km² 2. ... General is a high military rank, used by nearly every country in the world. ... George S. Patton, Jr. ...

Mount Wilson is the most famous monument to Don Benito, but Wilson Avenue in Pasadena and Don Benito School in the Pasadena suburb of Hastings Ranch were also named after him.

References

• Historic Adobes of Los Angeles County, "Rancho San Pascual". John R. Kielbasa. Pittsburg: Dorrance Publishing Company, 1998. ISBN 0-8059-4172-X.