Alisal: Behind the Name
My favorite author Ray Bradbury once wrote: “Everyone must leave something behind, something your hand touched some way. It doesn't matter what you do, so long as you change it from the way it was before into something that's like you after you take your hands away.”
When my father, Martin Leon, moved from Argentina to California in 1978, he dreamed of making exactly that kind of mark on his new home. He decided he wanted to leave his mark by building the most beautiful homes in Southern California. Seeking a name that captured this spirit, he found inspiration in his great-grandfather, Carlos Casado del Alisal—a fellow dreamer and pioneer who built a lasting legacy in a new land.
Carlos Casado del Alisal was born in Spain and set sail to Argentina during the land rush of the mid 1800s. He thrived in this land of opportunity and went on to found one of the first railways in South America. He established towns, ports, banks, and schools throughout the region and in his later years, he donated vast wealth and property back to these communities he helped create, communities that thrive to this day.
Carlos Casado not only changed the community he lived in but also left a legacy that would one day inspire his decedents. A few generations later, Martin was driven to leave a lasting imprint on his new home just as his great grandfather had done before him. He established Alisal Builders hoping to build exquisite homes that, through timeless style and artisanal craftsmanship, would stand the test of time.
Today my brother Jacko and I have the honor of carrying on this tradition, striving to leave a legacy in our community with the same energy and spirit that Carlos Casado del Alisal did generations ago.
—-Nick Aulet-Leon
A statue of Carlos Casado del Alisal by Eduardo Barnes in Rosario, Argentina.
