Rancho San Justo

, Rancho San Justo was one of three ranches attached to Mission San Juan Bautista of San Benito County, California. After the mission lands were secularized in 1832, General José Castro was granted the ranch by the Mexican government.

The San Justo Homestead Association was organized October 10 1868, to subdivide the lands of Rancho San Justo with capital stock of US$370,000, consisting of 50 shares at US$7,400 each. The lands in San Benito County were equitably partitioned into 50 lots. A tract of convert|100|acre|km2 for a town site and outside hill lands, were reserved for sale, to accrue to the profit of the association. The sum of US$100,000 was paid to William Welles Hollister on the date of purchase with an arrangement that the balance of US$270,000, should be paid on or before the seven years expiration date, bearing 10% interest until paid. This transaction treated the core of the city of Hollister, California extending over convert|400|acre|km2 and the whole of the San Justo Association property.