Spanish colonization of this region, once the location of many Tiwa Indian pueblos, began in the 17th century. Corrales took its name from the extensive corrals built there by Juan González, founder of Alameda. In the 18th century this rich farming area was subject to Comanche attacks, and Navajos raided it as late as 1851. San Isidro, patron saint of farmers, has long been the traditional guardian of the valley, and the present church is the third to bear his name. Spanish and later United States garrisons used the valley as a defensive base to protect the river settlements of Albuquerque and Bernalillo, along with nearby pueblos and towns, from Navajo raids.