Buffalo Marty
Guest
I've seen pics from it posted on the forum and elsewhere and would love to get a new or used copy. Any insight?
Anyone know where to get a copy of 'A Brief History of Puerto Peñasco'?
- Thread starter Buffalo Marty
- Start date
mexicoruss
Lovin it in RP!
I have a couple and I am sure there are some out there. I believe it is or will be a collectors item
AZRob
Guest
A short history of Rocky Point
For years the community known as Puerto Peñasco to the Mexicans has been called Rocky Point by the Americans. Rocky Point in spanish would be Punta (not Puerto) Peñasco. Why the discrepancy?
Actually the name goes back much farther than we might suppose, considering the town was first settled only in the 1920's. It was 1826 that retired Lt. Robert William Hale Hardy of the British Royal Fleet was sailing along the coasts of Sonora and Baja California searching for pearls and precious metals in the sailing ship La Bruja (the witch). He baptized the point Rocky Point and it was identified as Rocky Point on marine maps until General Lázaro Cárdenas (who was to become president of Mexico in the 1930's) changed it to Puerto Punta Peñasco (Port Rocky Point). Americans dropped the Port, and Mexicans the Punta.
During the early 1920's Americans traveled from Tucson, Phoenix, Gila Bend and Ajo to fish for the enormous flying fish abundant in the nearby waters. For the wandering fisherman who traveled from Guaymas to the gulf of Santa Clara del Colorado, Rocky Point provided the ideal place for refuge from storms, thanks to the hill of volcanic origin, which the fishermen knew as "the hill of the whale", and the beautiful and tranquil estuary. However the sight did not offer the essential element they needed: water.
During Prohibition there sprang up along the border bars, clubs, hotels, and casinos, which offered thirsty Americans beer and liquor and, in some cases, women and gambling as well. Then John Stone, who owned the Hotel Cornelia in Ajo, decided to build a hotel-casino farther south, near the sea, to combine the money-making potential of fishing with that of alcohol. He dug a well for potable water 20 kilometers from the coast and recruited a number of fisherman who were willing to risk living in harsh conditions. So was born the town of Puerto Peñasco.
John Stone installed roulette, cards and dice tables. He also sold water which he imported from his well. More surprising, perhaps, he established an airline, Scenic Airlines, with direct flights to Phoenix and Tucson. The site was nearer what is now downtown Puerto Peñasco than the present airport. It is no longer in use and homes have been built on the land.
The fishermen who settled the town in the 1920's were left in dire straits when John Stone, a local hotel keeper, had a falling out with them and left town, burnong the Stone Hotel and blowing up the only well with drinking water for miles around. After that the townspeople had to depend on water carried by truck from Sonoyta, which was expensive and in short supply.
One day in 1936 , when the fishermen were sinking under the midday heat, when even the flies didn't have strength to move, there arrived in the village three automobiles. From one of the vehicles stepped out General Lázaro Cárdenas, president of the Republic.
The General saw a sad spectacle, men and women who appeared to be alive only through a miracle, living in caves, in tents, out in the open, unkempt and virtually without clothing. Tears came to his eyes. What they had said in the country was true.
The committee went out to a hill, and from there, the president began to plan an enormous wharf where cargo vessels would tie up, a railroad that would unify Baja California with the rest of the country, and a highway to the United States.
On March 20, 1937 the first spike was driven in the Sonora-Baja railroad by Don Ulises Irigoyen on behalf of President Lázaro Cárdenas
Simultaneously in Puerto Peñasco the wharf began operations, the well and the old Stone Hotel were rehabilitated and the urban development of the port was begun.
The importance of Puerto Peñasco owed much to the railroad, which created other sources of work, such as industrial shops and new hotels - among them the Hotel Mexico, the Hotel Miramar and luxurious Hotel Cortez. The last named was constructed of material from the US, supposedly as a result of a meeting between Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Lázaro Cárdenas of Mexico.
For years the community known as Puerto Peñasco to the Mexicans has been called Rocky Point by the Americans. Rocky Point in spanish would be Punta (not Puerto) Peñasco. Why the discrepancy?
Actually the name goes back much farther than we might suppose, considering the town was first settled only in the 1920's. It was 1826 that retired Lt. Robert William Hale Hardy of the British Royal Fleet was sailing along the coasts of Sonora and Baja California searching for pearls and precious metals in the sailing ship La Bruja (the witch). He baptized the point Rocky Point and it was identified as Rocky Point on marine maps until General Lázaro Cárdenas (who was to become president of Mexico in the 1930's) changed it to Puerto Punta Peñasco (Port Rocky Point). Americans dropped the Port, and Mexicans the Punta.
During the early 1920's Americans traveled from Tucson, Phoenix, Gila Bend and Ajo to fish for the enormous flying fish abundant in the nearby waters. For the wandering fisherman who traveled from Guaymas to the gulf of Santa Clara del Colorado, Rocky Point provided the ideal place for refuge from storms, thanks to the hill of volcanic origin, which the fishermen knew as "the hill of the whale", and the beautiful and tranquil estuary. However the sight did not offer the essential element they needed: water.
During Prohibition there sprang up along the border bars, clubs, hotels, and casinos, which offered thirsty Americans beer and liquor and, in some cases, women and gambling as well. Then John Stone, who owned the Hotel Cornelia in Ajo, decided to build a hotel-casino farther south, near the sea, to combine the money-making potential of fishing with that of alcohol. He dug a well for potable water 20 kilometers from the coast and recruited a number of fisherman who were willing to risk living in harsh conditions. So was born the town of Puerto Peñasco.
John Stone installed roulette, cards and dice tables. He also sold water which he imported from his well. More surprising, perhaps, he established an airline, Scenic Airlines, with direct flights to Phoenix and Tucson. The site was nearer what is now downtown Puerto Peñasco than the present airport. It is no longer in use and homes have been built on the land.
The fishermen who settled the town in the 1920's were left in dire straits when John Stone, a local hotel keeper, had a falling out with them and left town, burnong the Stone Hotel and blowing up the only well with drinking water for miles around. After that the townspeople had to depend on water carried by truck from Sonoyta, which was expensive and in short supply.
One day in 1936 , when the fishermen were sinking under the midday heat, when even the flies didn't have strength to move, there arrived in the village three automobiles. From one of the vehicles stepped out General Lázaro Cárdenas, president of the Republic.
The General saw a sad spectacle, men and women who appeared to be alive only through a miracle, living in caves, in tents, out in the open, unkempt and virtually without clothing. Tears came to his eyes. What they had said in the country was true.
The committee went out to a hill, and from there, the president began to plan an enormous wharf where cargo vessels would tie up, a railroad that would unify Baja California with the rest of the country, and a highway to the United States.
On March 20, 1937 the first spike was driven in the Sonora-Baja railroad by Don Ulises Irigoyen on behalf of President Lázaro Cárdenas
Simultaneously in Puerto Peñasco the wharf began operations, the well and the old Stone Hotel were rehabilitated and the urban development of the port was begun.
The importance of Puerto Peñasco owed much to the railroad, which created other sources of work, such as industrial shops and new hotels - among them the Hotel Mexico, the Hotel Miramar and luxurious Hotel Cortez. The last named was constructed of material from the US, supposedly as a result of a meeting between Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Lázaro Cárdenas of Mexico.
AZRob
Guest
60 miles from the US/Mexican border, Rocky Point, Mexico could have been an Arizona seaport, but history and great negotiating by the Mexican government in the mid-1800's made it a part of Mexico. In 1846, the US/Mexican war ended, and a joint commission was set up to establish where the new border between the two countries would be. Negotiations went on until 1853, when James Gadsden, a South Carolina railroad promoter, was authorized by the US Congress to make 5 different secret offers to the Mexican government, for which we would pay from $15 million to $50 million. Each option included enough territory for the US to have a southern railroad route to the Pacific ocean, and a seaport on the Sea of Cortez. The President of Mexico, General Santa Ana (of Alamo fame), didn't want to give up the territory connecting mainland Mexico with the Baja peninsula. Through his envoy to Washington, he lobbied Congress to come up with an offer for land that did not cut off his land bridge to the Baja. In 1854, Congress agreed to Gen. Santa Ana's demands and paid $10 million for the territory that now makes up the southern portions of New Mexico and Arizona. Known as the Gadsden Purchase, this land includes both Tucson and Yuma, but did not include access to the Sea of Cortez. Thus, Arizona lost the chance to have it's own beach front property.
In the 1920's, two wandering fishermen, Victor and Benjamin Bustamante, discovered huge schools of beautiful blue shrimp in the waters off a "rocky point" known as Cerro de Penasco, and when other fishermen moved in, the town now known as Puerto Penasco was established. Rocky Point had one major problem...there was no fresh water. Thus, it appeared destined to remain a small temporary camp for Mexican fishermen.
In 1929, a US Mafioso named John Stone (an associate of Al Capone) saw the potential of the area as a resort destination and built a hotel and drilled a well for fresh water. Guests were flown in for fishing, hunting, gambling and (remember, it was during Prohibition) drinking. The availability of fresh water attracted more Mexican fishermen to the area, and the town began to grow. By 1931, Stone had managed to alienate many of the local Mexican government officials, and lost his license to do business in the area. Before departing, Stone burned his hotel and dynamited the well, leaving Rocky Point once again without fresh water. The Hotel was rebuilt by the Bustamante brothers and re-opened as the Hotel Penasco. The building itself still remains.
In 1936, Mexican President Lazaro Cardenas visited Rocky Point, saw that the area had tremendous potential, and ordered a pier constructed for the local fishing fleet. He also began construction of a railroad to connect Rocky Point with Mexicali and the border.During World War II, the US Corp of Engineers, with the cooperation of the Mexican government, built a paved road from the Arizona border to Rocky Point. The US feared attacks on it's west coast ports by the Japanese, and wanted access to a port on the Sea of Cortez as a backup for shipping.
In 1955, the shrimp industry started to boom. Markets in Phoenix, Tucson, Albuquerque, Las Vegas and Los Angeles were developed, and Rocky Point was finally on it's way to becoming something more than just a fishing village. By the early 1980's, over 80% of the economy was based on the fishing and shrimping industry. Then the government made a mistake--they allowed Japanese and Korean trawlers into the Sea of Cortez. They began using long drag nets, and almost wiped out the fishery in the entire area. After five years, the Mexican government kicked the trawlers out, but another disaster occurred--the shrimp got a disease which decreased their fertility, and the shrimp industry almost died. In the early 1990's, the shrimp began a comeback. Eventually, the harbor at Rocky Point housed over 200 fishing vessels. Then, in 1994, Mexico declared the entire northern part of the Sea of Cortez and the Pinacate Volcano area to be an International Biosphere Reserve. Commercial fishing could no longer take place north of Rocky Point. This put lots of fishermen out of business, and over half the fleet was sold to fishing operations in Guaymas, to the south. In 1989, the fishing industry was estimated to bring in up to 80% of the income earned by Rocoportenses (what the people of Rocky Point call themselves.) Today, fishing accounts for less than 50% of the local income, and tourism makes up the most important economic sector of the economy. The shrimp season lasts from October to May.
Before Rocky Point was settled by Mexicans, the Seri Indians wandered the local deserts. A sub-tribe of Arizona's Tohono O'Odam Indians, the Seri were rumored to be cannibals, and early Spanish explorers were constantly on guard to protect themselves when traveling through the territory. In the 1940's, a Seri (later called by his friends "the rich one") began carving small statues of local animal and plant life out of ironwood, a small tree with extremely hard and dense wood that only grows in the Sonoran desert. Other members of the tribe saw that he was doing well selling the carvings, and began to carve their own statues. Today, ironwood carvings are perhaps the favorite souvenir purchased by tourists in northern Sonora. Other craft and art items available in the Rocky Point area are small carpets, blankets, jewelry, ceramics, hand woven baskets, hammocks, and the ever-present T-Shirt!
Another interesting and unusual feature of the Puerto Penasco area is the extreme tides produced in the area. In Cholla Bay, five miles from the heart of Rocky Point, the difference between low and high tides can be as much as 24 feet.
Also nearby is Mount Pinacate, home of 9 major volcanic craters and over 400 volcanic vents. In the early 70's, Apollo astronauts trained for their moon-walks on this mountain.
Today, people visit Rocky Point for the sun, sand, sea, fishing, and just general relaxation. It is not a Mazatlan or Puerto Vallarta, and most visitors are eternally grateful for that fact.
For information or reservations, call Synergy Reservations, Inc. for all your Rocky Point needs.
Local 480-994-4475 or National 1-800-569-1797
Your Rocky Point and Mexico Experts!
Select Resort/Hotel All Resorts Esmeralda Palace By The Sea Sonoran Sky Resort Sonoran Sun Resort Las Palomas (PALOMAS) Casa Blanca *Las Palmas [PALMAS]* Sonoran Spa Resort Sonoran Sea Resort Bella Sirena Princesa De Penasco Marina Pinacate Las Gaviotas All Hotels El Mirador Village Motel Senorial Baja Cantina Vina del Mar Plaza Penasco Laos Mar Hotel Peñasco del Sol Hotel Playa Bonita Hotel
Room Type Show All Room Types 1B 2B 3B 4B
# of adults 0
Children under 12 0
Check-In Date
Check-Out date
In the 1920's, two wandering fishermen, Victor and Benjamin Bustamante, discovered huge schools of beautiful blue shrimp in the waters off a "rocky point" known as Cerro de Penasco, and when other fishermen moved in, the town now known as Puerto Penasco was established. Rocky Point had one major problem...there was no fresh water. Thus, it appeared destined to remain a small temporary camp for Mexican fishermen.
In 1929, a US Mafioso named John Stone (an associate of Al Capone) saw the potential of the area as a resort destination and built a hotel and drilled a well for fresh water. Guests were flown in for fishing, hunting, gambling and (remember, it was during Prohibition) drinking. The availability of fresh water attracted more Mexican fishermen to the area, and the town began to grow. By 1931, Stone had managed to alienate many of the local Mexican government officials, and lost his license to do business in the area. Before departing, Stone burned his hotel and dynamited the well, leaving Rocky Point once again without fresh water. The Hotel was rebuilt by the Bustamante brothers and re-opened as the Hotel Penasco. The building itself still remains.
In 1936, Mexican President Lazaro Cardenas visited Rocky Point, saw that the area had tremendous potential, and ordered a pier constructed for the local fishing fleet. He also began construction of a railroad to connect Rocky Point with Mexicali and the border.During World War II, the US Corp of Engineers, with the cooperation of the Mexican government, built a paved road from the Arizona border to Rocky Point. The US feared attacks on it's west coast ports by the Japanese, and wanted access to a port on the Sea of Cortez as a backup for shipping.
In 1955, the shrimp industry started to boom. Markets in Phoenix, Tucson, Albuquerque, Las Vegas and Los Angeles were developed, and Rocky Point was finally on it's way to becoming something more than just a fishing village. By the early 1980's, over 80% of the economy was based on the fishing and shrimping industry. Then the government made a mistake--they allowed Japanese and Korean trawlers into the Sea of Cortez. They began using long drag nets, and almost wiped out the fishery in the entire area. After five years, the Mexican government kicked the trawlers out, but another disaster occurred--the shrimp got a disease which decreased their fertility, and the shrimp industry almost died. In the early 1990's, the shrimp began a comeback. Eventually, the harbor at Rocky Point housed over 200 fishing vessels. Then, in 1994, Mexico declared the entire northern part of the Sea of Cortez and the Pinacate Volcano area to be an International Biosphere Reserve. Commercial fishing could no longer take place north of Rocky Point. This put lots of fishermen out of business, and over half the fleet was sold to fishing operations in Guaymas, to the south. In 1989, the fishing industry was estimated to bring in up to 80% of the income earned by Rocoportenses (what the people of Rocky Point call themselves.) Today, fishing accounts for less than 50% of the local income, and tourism makes up the most important economic sector of the economy. The shrimp season lasts from October to May.
Before Rocky Point was settled by Mexicans, the Seri Indians wandered the local deserts. A sub-tribe of Arizona's Tohono O'Odam Indians, the Seri were rumored to be cannibals, and early Spanish explorers were constantly on guard to protect themselves when traveling through the territory. In the 1940's, a Seri (later called by his friends "the rich one") began carving small statues of local animal and plant life out of ironwood, a small tree with extremely hard and dense wood that only grows in the Sonoran desert. Other members of the tribe saw that he was doing well selling the carvings, and began to carve their own statues. Today, ironwood carvings are perhaps the favorite souvenir purchased by tourists in northern Sonora. Other craft and art items available in the Rocky Point area are small carpets, blankets, jewelry, ceramics, hand woven baskets, hammocks, and the ever-present T-Shirt!
Another interesting and unusual feature of the Puerto Penasco area is the extreme tides produced in the area. In Cholla Bay, five miles from the heart of Rocky Point, the difference between low and high tides can be as much as 24 feet.
Also nearby is Mount Pinacate, home of 9 major volcanic craters and over 400 volcanic vents. In the early 70's, Apollo astronauts trained for their moon-walks on this mountain.
Today, people visit Rocky Point for the sun, sand, sea, fishing, and just general relaxation. It is not a Mazatlan or Puerto Vallarta, and most visitors are eternally grateful for that fact.
For information or reservations, call Synergy Reservations, Inc. for all your Rocky Point needs.
Local 480-994-4475 or National 1-800-569-1797
Your Rocky Point and Mexico Experts!
Select Resort/Hotel All Resorts Esmeralda Palace By The Sea Sonoran Sky Resort Sonoran Sun Resort Las Palomas (PALOMAS) Casa Blanca *Las Palmas [PALMAS]* Sonoran Spa Resort Sonoran Sea Resort Bella Sirena Princesa De Penasco Marina Pinacate Las Gaviotas All Hotels El Mirador Village Motel Senorial Baja Cantina Vina del Mar Plaza Penasco Laos Mar Hotel Peñasco del Sol Hotel Playa Bonita Hotel
Room Type Show All Room Types 1B 2B 3B 4B
# of adults 0
Children under 12 0
Check-In Date
Check-Out date
AZRob
Guest
Well Buffalo
I scanned the web for you and didnt find a book. Here is the info you will need. "a brief history of puerto peñasco" by Lynn V. Foster. Your best chance to find this book is to look on Ebay every couple of days and wait for a copy to sell.
There are alot of books on there for sale by Lynn V. Foster but not that one yet.
Good Luck
mexicoruss
Lovin it in RP!
I would search for "Breve historia de Puerto Peñasco" by Guillermo Munro Palacio
mexicoruss
Lovin it in RP!
Excerpts from "A brief history of Puerto Peñasco" by Guillermo Munro 2006-2007
I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did.
I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did.
dirtsurfer
Guest
J: I look forward to reports from you!
Roberto
Guest
look like
The Munro book is the one. Don't know the Foster book. Is the the author of Gillespie's Gold? Some of the pages posted look like they are from that book , not Munros. Both are excellent reads on early Penasco with Munro's being more comprehensive.
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mexicoruss
Lovin it in RP!
The pages I posted are from Munros book not Gillespies
Southbeacher
Guest
UOTE="mondone, post: 100572, member: 1833"]The book store "Shakespeare Librerias" in Penasco at +52 638 690 1418 might be worth a try.[/QUOTE]
Southbeacher
Guest
After reading in Rocky Point Times that Shakespeare Librerias (next to the Thrifty Store) was selling them over Independence weekend, I high-tailed it over there last Friday. They were sold out, but expect more in a few weeks. (NOTE TO SELF: If next time I go there, and the new shipment is sold out as well, kick myself for posting this.)
mondone
Whitecaps
I figured that would be the place. Do you happen to know the price they are charging?
Southbeacher
Guest
Sorry . . . no