Víctor Castro (landowner)
Víctor Ramón Castro was a landowner in an area of Alta California which later became part of Contra Costa County, California. Víctor Castro was the son of Francisco María Castro, a former soldier at the San Francisco Presidio, one-time alcalde of the Pueblo of San José, and grantee of Rancho San Pablo.Life
Víctor Castro and his brother Juan José Castro were the grantees of Rancho El Sobrante in 1841. Castro married Louisa Martinez in 1836, the daughter of Don Ygnacio Martinez, grantee of the neighboring Rancho El Pinole. Víctor Castro was elected as a juez de campo in 1840 which gave him authority over roundups and branding of cattle in the area. He was a renowned horseman and helped battle indigenous raiders who attacked other Mexican ranchos. He also warred with American immigrants who squatted on his land after the California Gold Rush. Castro was a local leader in times of both peace and conflict. He remained active as a community leader after the annexation of California and was elected a Contra Costa County supervisor in 1852.
Castro Street in Martinez is named after Victor Castro, and is one of five consecutive streets in the downtown Martinez area that are named for the five sons-in-law of Ygnacio Martinez. Point Isabel promontory and Point Isabel Regional Shoreline are named after his daughter Isabella. Castro Street, Castro Creek, the Castro Rocks, Castro Point, Castro Cove and Castro Ranch Road in Richmond are named after his family.
Castro was initially buried, along with four of his children, in what is now the El Cerrito Plaza shopping center. According to Findagrave, Victor's remains were re-interred in the 1950s to the Sunset View cemetery, along with several family members.
