The
Cantu-Galleano Winery Historic District is significant as one of the
only intact family-owned and operated wineries in the Cucamonga Valley.
The Valley is located in the southwest portion of San Bernardino County
and in the Mira Loma portion of Riverside County. Viticulture and
wine production are historically associated with this area, where
commercial wine production began in the 1850's. The Galleano family
purchased their land in the Wineville section of the Valley (now Mira
Loma) in 1927, and opened their winery in 1933, following the repeal
of Prohibition. The family continues to produce wine at this site.
The winery complex has already been recognized by its designation
as a Riverside County Landmark (Read
the article - named in the National Register of Historic Places).
Colonel Esteban
Cantu the first territorial governor of Baja California Norte, was
an extraordinary military officer, and a visionary with an unusual
capacity to understand and extend compassion to others.
Esteban Cantu
was born November 27, 1880 in Linares, Nuevo Leon, Mexico to a family
descendent from conquistador’s who arrived in 1570 from the
Spanish region of Navarre. He attended the Colegio Militar de Chapultepec,
the oldest military school in the western hemisphere, established
by Hernan Cortez. Upon graduation in 1899 Col. Cantu dedicated his
life to serving his country.
In 1911 the Federal
army sent Cantu to Mexicali, Baja California to colonize and protect
the territory. He quickly declared Baja California as neutral territory
and implemented educational and economic reforms. One of his most
outstanding accomplishments during his time as governor was to construct
a road through the mountains to join the desert with the coastal region.
In 1913 Col.
Cantu married Ana Carlit Dato Feliz, a member of a prominent Sonoran
and early Californian cattle ranching family. They were the parents
of five children.
In the 1920’s
the national power fell into the hands of a political trio: Obregon,
Calles and Rodriquez. Cantu’s power and independence proved
to be a great threat and Cantu exiled himself to the United States.
It was then that he purchased the ranch in Mira Loma.
It was used as a means
to maintain his former soldiers, who in the tradition of good cavalrymen,
were now vaqueros. His most trusted friend, Lt. Luis Parma and his
family, would be assigned caretaker of the ranch. The Parma’s
would remain in the Riverside area to become very prominent in business
and politics.
Many times the ranch served
as a safe haven for friends fleeing the Mexican revolution. There
was abundant game for hunting, vegetable and herb gardens, a small
dairy herd and the vineyards for wine production. The Cantu children
have vivid and fond memories of the ranch and it’s vaqueros.
The property was sold
to the Galleano family when the Cantus decided to return to Mexico,
their native land. There Col. Cantu followed mining interests until
he was elected first constitutional Senator in 1956 of the newly proclaimed
State of Baja California.
Col. Cantu died a legend
in Mexicali, Baja California on March 15, 1966.
