Rancho Madera

Overview
The modern community of Rancho Madera once lay at the heart of the vast holdings of Mexican rancher Juan Madera. The ceding of California to the United States in 1848 brought an end to his cattle empire, and Madera eventually returned to Mexico a broken man.

Now a suburban bedroom community, Rancho Madera consists chiefly of middle-class neighborhoods interspersed with schools, parks and churches.

A few clusters of apartment complexes, four-plexes and other rental housing shelter poorer residents, particularly Southeast Asian or Russian newcomers to the U.S. Crowding, crime, health code violations and safety deficiencies are problems at some complexes.

Supermarkets, video rental stores and fast food eateries occupying shopping centers along key boulevards comprise the bulk of the business scene.

Many longtime workers or mid-level managers at industries in nearby Southport reside in Rancho Madera, as do numerous Peregrine Aircraft employees.

Crime is on the rise in the suburban community, partly due to influxes from Brenton and South San Angelo neighborhoods. Sheriff’s investigators are also worried by reports of activity by Southeast Asian gangs and the Russian Mafia in Rancho Madera.

History
Text

Notable People
Juan Madera founded the original Rancho de Madera.

Appearances
San Angelo: City of Heroes (1998)