Tiburcio Vasquez was one of early California's most notorious bandits. He and his gang robbed stagecoaches and stole horses and made themselves unpopular for 23 years until his capture and hanging in 1875.

Rugged canyons and high rocks surrounding the Valley were his favorite hideouts. He sometimes made his getaways riding through Big Tujunga Canyon and squatted around Castle Rock in the hills above the Chatsworth area. Shortly before his capture, he turned up in an unexpected place.

One night, State Sen. Charles Maclay was a guest at the home of Don Andres Pico in the convento at Mission San Fernando Rey. In the guest quarters Maclay noticed a stealthy figure bed down for the night. He reportedly mentioned to Pico the next day his suspicions that it was the infamous -- and very wanted -- bandit.

Pico is said to have acknowledged that the mystery man was indeed Vasquez, and that for practical reasons he was always welcome at the Pico Ranch. In exchange for free passage, Pico explained, "I have his promise never to touch or harm anyone’’ in the San Fernando area.

Legend has it that Vasquez stashed three bags of gold in the Santa Susana Mountains before his capture.