Ingersoll's Century History Santa Monica Bay Cities (Being Book Number Two of Ingersoll's Century Series of California Local History Annals), 1908, 1908a, 1840, 1839, 1794
" . . . December 20th, 1839, a title was issued to the rancho called San Vicente and Santa Monica, in favor of Don Francisco Sepulveda, "with the condition of abiding whatever actions should be had thereon, in case such land may be comprised within the limits of the City of Los Angeles." This grant was made by Governor Alvarado; but it still did not settle the question of boundary which was disputed on all sides. In 1840 Sepulveda petitioned the governor to place him in "pacific possession of the property, as Francisco Marquez and Ysidero Reyes have given a bad example of disobedience and that under the strength of discordant documents they remain in possession of the place called Santa Monica."
[p. 137] La Ballona
La Ballona rancho, or as it was named in the original document La Ballena (the whale), was formally granted to a company composed of Augustin and Ygnacio [ 1794- ] Machado, Felipe and Tomas Talamantes, all citizens of Los Angeles, by Governor Alvarado in 1839. There is evidence to show that prior to this grant, a tract of land nearer to Los Angeles had been occupied by the same citizens as a stock range but had been taken back from them, either because it was too near the city, or was needed for the stock of San Gabriel.
At any rate they received a princely domain in fertile fields and rich pastures of La Ballona, and at once stocked it and built residences upon it. The haciendas of the Machados on this ranch were among the best examples of the California home. They are still standing-that of Augustin Machado, a large and most substantial adobe, the walls and roof of which is still intact, is unoccupied at present and is used as a store house. It seems a pity that this, one of the best specimens of the early California homes should not be preserved. The home of Ygnacio Machado, a little distance away, is now occupied by one of his sons, Antonio, and the part which remains is in good repair and is a fine sample of the simplicity and solidity of the genuine adobe house of the better class. This house once contained fourteen rooms build about a court, but a portion of these have now been removed.