BajaNomad - San Felipe 1960's

San Felipe 1960's

Oggie - 1-1-2010 at 06:47 PM

I was going thru some of my Dad's slides and scanning them to my computer and found these old San Felipe pictures.

Our family camped on the beach south of town over Easter week. We would go south just past the sulphur mines and the take a wash to the beach. It would take us longer to drive to our camp from San Felipe than it did from San Diego to San Felipe.

The wash to the beach

Our Camp on the bluff

My Dad and a Totuava

My Wife Diane and I on the left. We were so young! We met at this campfire in 1967

The harbor

Totuava on Dune buggy

Main Street North?

Main street South?

woody with a view - 1-1-2010 at 06:52 PM

REALLY cool! and you WERE young....

Riom - 1-1-2010 at 07:06 PM

Nice shots. San Felipe has changed a bit!

The last photo ("Main Street South") is actually pointing in the same direction as the previous one ("North") but is mirror-imaged (see Motel, GMC, and the mountains). It's further along the street, but in the same direction -- the same "motel" sign is just visible next to the electric pole above the hat on the North shot, two poles in front of the transformers.

wessongroup - 1-1-2010 at 08:28 PM

Thanks a bunch, down there about the same time, and like Woody said "was young too".. man, good to see your still kicken..

The old dune buggy is really cool as are the shots of the guys just laying out on the beach, with all the cars/trucks and the rest behind.. ahhh

Nice, memories... thanks a lot..

doradodan - 1-1-2010 at 11:53 PM

i live in san felipe, my wife is from here, couldyou send me all photos you have? i would pay you. u2u me please. :?:

LaTijereta - 1-2-2010 at 07:08 AM

Great times in SF..
My first trip there was 72'..

capt. mike - 1-2-2010 at 09:18 AM

very cool.
that one slide is reversed.
i can't imagine taking that long to get to the beach from SF.
must have been magical times for you.
post more please.
i love baja history - fascinating.

desertcpl - 1-2-2010 at 09:28 AM

this was taken in san felipe in the early 50,s this is me with the totuava me and my dad caught,, this is just north of town what is called rubens camp,, there was nothing at all at this location, other than a small palapa bar on the beach

san felipe 1953 001.jpg - 23kB

ELINVESTIG8R - 1-2-2010 at 09:28 AM

Nice Pictures. I was in San Felipe for a while during 1968 when I worked at a restaurant there. At the time San Felipe only had dirt streets as I recall.

wessongroup - 1-2-2010 at 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by desertcpl
this was taken in san felipe in the early 50,s this is me with the totuava me and my dad caught,, this is just north of town what is called rubens camp,, there was nothing at all at this location, other than a small palapa bar on the beach

That is great, good to have a picture like that one... thanks

capt. mike - 1-2-2010 at 11:16 AM

what's the deal with Totuava? (not a Seinfeld quip...)

are they extinct? are they protected now?
are/were they good eatin'?
are they a grouper or bass family?
what's the lore?

desertcpl - 1-2-2010 at 04:27 PM

no they are not extinct YET
and yes they are protected in Mexico and its illegal to posses them in the US.
they are one of the best tasting fish I have ever had
I cant remember what family they are from

roger(pampano) just did a post about them a few days ago

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Totoaba

desertcpl - 1-2-2010 at 04:29 PM

got it,,now I remember after reading about .. its a Croaker

Pacifico - 1-2-2010 at 04:39 PM

Cool pics!!!! Keep em' coming............

chernefitter - 1-2-2010 at 06:47 PM

i love San Felipe...great pics, what a treasure find that was. The good ol days, nothing but american cars and trucks as far as the eye can see. Did look like your favorite camp spot was a bit crowded thou. Post more if you have em Thanks!! :bounce:

chernefitter - 1-2-2010 at 06:49 PM

Oh bye the way, whatever became of the blond at the campfire???

Paulina - 1-3-2010 at 05:59 PM

Ken,

Thank you so much for posting your dad's photos. Seeing them sparked small memories of when I was a kid going to SF with my parents. Same old Chevy trucks, campers, dirt streets which brought back memories of firework stands, a leather shop where my dad had riding chaps and sleeves made. A ceramic stand where I bought a plaster bulldog, painted brown with pink sequins glued in for eyeballs. My mom tried so hard to talk me out of that being my one souvenier (sp) for the trip, but I won. It must have been a sign of dogs to come...

Bravo!
P<*)))>{

Bob H - 1-5-2010 at 08:05 AM

Wow, fantastic photos... love looking back at Baja history. In particular, I like seeing the old cars, campers, etc. Would love to see more.... Bob H

viabaja - 1-8-2010 at 09:54 PM

Oggie, thx for pics! I remember those days when my father would take us down.

David K - 1-9-2010 at 12:14 PM

Yah great stuff... That's the way town looked to me too... the main street was still dirt when I first went. It got paved after the hurricane of 1967 messed up the place real bad.

David K - 3-4-2011 at 04:51 PM

Bump...

mcfez - 3-4-2011 at 06:10 PM

OUTSTANDING!
I can never get enough of these older photos. Just greats. Txs!

bajamedic - 3-4-2011 at 11:39 PM

Although I have posted these on another thread, just thought there might be some interest here also.

As I recall, they used to fill the back of the truck up with bystanders to keep the wheels on the ground. The counterbalance people were paid in fish or cash, their choice.

This is me (yes, the good looking one), my father and uncle. Does anybody recognize any of the background landmarks or can you tie them to current areas or campos? JH
[Edited on 3-5-2011 by bajamedic]

[Edited on 3-5-2011 by bajamedic]

Wild guess....

mcfez - 3-5-2011 at 06:57 AM

You're about 5 miles or so past Campos Cristina's, yes?

David K - 3-5-2011 at 07:54 AM

San Felipe to Puertecitos from the 1970 Baja Guide by Cliff Cross...

bajamedic - 3-5-2011 at 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mcfez
You're about 5 miles or so past Campos Cristina's, yes?

McFez, these photos were taken on one of our trips to San Felipe and as a kid, I just enjoyed the time spent interacting with the local kids and I did not really pay attention to my surroundings like I should have. My father and uncle were helping a local pastor to build a small church in somewhere in San Felipe. My father was the manager of a lumber yard in San Jose, CA and the local builders would contribute from their supplies towards the project. When they had a truck full of windows, doors, lumber, roofing, etc. off we would go.

One very vivid memory that I do have of San Felipe, was when the local pastor invited us to his house for dinner. They lived in a real tarpaper shack with dirt floors and they were the happiest people that I had ever met. As a “rich gringo” watching their family operate as a single unit, their love of others and their profound desire to help others in need had a very profound effect on me. One time the family invited us for dinner at their very humble little home, they shared their fish head soup. They had very little, but was willing to share what they did have. We had everything that money could buy, but they were enjoying living life, these trips changed my life and thus began my love of Baja. JH

Barry A. - 3-5-2011 at 09:11 AM

Wow, what great memories-------many thanks for posting these.

My first campout on the beaches of San Felipe was in 1952, just south of what was then the main town, in the dunes (you could walk into town). Camped in the dunes many times after that, over about 10 years, and beyond.

Barry

DENNIS - 3-5-2011 at 09:17 AM

I haven't been over there since the mid-sixties. Only two bars in town then. I suppose there's been a few changes.

Skipjack Joe - 3-5-2011 at 09:18 AM

Great post, bajamedic.

Yes, 3rd world exposure at a young age is very beneficial. It makes them less judgmental and understand that there are many ways to achieve happiness.

tripledigitken - 3-5-2011 at 09:22 AM

Brings back a lot of memories to me as well. My first trip to Baja as a young man was Spring Break 1969 and that is exactly the way I remember it.

Totuava and Turtle were both on the menus then.

Thanks for posting!!!

Ken

Bob H - 3-5-2011 at 09:38 AM

Great "bump" David!!!!!!!!

baitcast - 3-5-2011 at 10:06 AM

Ah yes San Felipe in the 60,s,many times on the way home from points south I and my buds would stop by for hot showers and cold beer,Moma and the girls did not make these trips :lol:

More times than I can remember one or more of my friends would end up on their faces on a dusty street in the wee hours than we would retire down some dusty road till morn and make a run for the border.

Wesson reminded me of those days a while back.

We never got any of the larger Totuava farther down the beach but would get the smaller models mixed in with the Corvina on many occasions and WSB,miss those days!
Rob

David K - 3-5-2011 at 10:09 AM

Thanks Bob... Dirty Diesel Dave was looking for some old San Felipe pics and while this set didn't show the vehicle he remembered, it was very timely!

I remember when Hwy. 5 ended there was only dirt streets and the La Puerta Pemex station on the corner at the end of the pavement.

After the chubasco wiped-out the town in 1967, part of the reconstruction was to pave the main street at the end of the highway. It was a mess... the flash flood went right through the cemetery and there were caskets on the beach... That is when that shrimp boat got washed into the backbay near Bahia Santa Maria/Shell Island.

WOW!

mcfez - 3-5-2011 at 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Thanks Bob... Dirty Diesel Dave was looking for some old San Felipe pics and while this set didn't show the vehicle he remembered, it was very timely!

I remember when Hwy. 5 ended there was only dirt streets and the La Puerta Pemex station on the corner at the end of the pavement.

After the chubasco wiped-out the town in 1967, part of the reconstruction was to pave the main street at the end of the highway. It was a mess... the flash flood went right through the cemetery and there were caskets on the beach... That is when that shrimp boat got washed into the backbay near Bahia Santa Maria/Shell Island.

Got to say....havent new it was that bad in SF. Can you refer me to any websites on this account? Thanks David.

David K - 3-5-2011 at 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mcfez

Quote:

Got to say....havent new it was that bad in SF. Can you refer me to any websites on this account? Thanks David.

Baja Nomad, right here...

Oh, another one? Doesn't the Official San Felipe.com site have a history page? I will see if I can find some stuff... We were there soon after... It was a mess... and while I do not personally remember the caskets on the beach part (I was 9 or 10), I do remember my mom telling the story to her friends, etc.

Here is the shrimp boat that was blown into the lagoon behind Shell Island... 1967 (it was locked tight in hopes they could get it back into the sea at the next high tide... the sea never got high enough... even with global warming LOL). The boat slowly got dismantled. I last climbed on what was left of it in 1978... The Franklin diesel engine was the only thing left last time I walked over to it... maybe 20 years ago.

Shrimp boat 67.jpg - 25kB

AmoPescar - 3-5-2011 at 11:10 PM

RE: S.F. SHRIMP BOAT

The engine block of the Shrimp Boat was still out there on the flats behind Bahia Santa Maria several years ago, but I think it finally disappeared.

Then again, maybe it's still out there.

Miguelamo :?:

Bob H - 3-6-2011 at 05:17 AM

Good STUFF!!

David K - 3-6-2011 at 10:34 AM

Here is that Shrimp Boat from the 1972 updated edition of Cliff Cross' Baja Guide on the chapter of driving the beach to Puertecitos...

Jim/Liisa - 3-6-2011 at 10:49 AM

When was the light house built?

David K - 3-6-2011 at 11:05 AM

Here is a great story ... and I knew Arnold, too... He is the person who told us about the oasis of Matomi back in 1967...

(from the San Felipe web site)

LOOKING BACK TO 1947

Greetings from Fullerton, CA.

I'm a former resident of San Felipe and I was pleasantly surprised to see that there is a web page that I can look up information and the latest news! It's like being in touch with that wonderful community that I still feel part of. I want to thank and congratulate you for offering this opportunity to the rest of us to discover or re-discover as in my case, the wonders and achievements of this thriving little town. Allow me to present myself: My name is Alan Rene Camacho- Hellin, I'm presently a full time student at Fullerton College with an intended major in Environmental Analysis and Design.

This is my story:

My family settled in San Felipe in 1947: My grandmother Casey Hellin and my uncle Arnold Hellin (My mother's brother). They both raised my three sisters: Cynthia, Adrianne and Lidiette and myself after the passing of my mother Olga Hellin in 1964, when we went to live with them in San Felipe. Casey and Arnold were very hardworking and entrerprising people; They lived in North Hollywood were my grandfather worked for Universal Studios as a graphic artist before settling in San Felipe. After the onset of the Korean War, my grandmother decided to leave the US to keep my uncle from being drafted (A decision he always regretted, probably because he felt like a deserter) and after very humble beginnings with the opening of the first "Tortilleria" which sold corn tortillas to a population of immigrants of the state of Sonora and the south of Baja that were accustomed to the flour variety of tortillas.

Since they were trendsetters, they continued with the business until it picked up with new arrivals from the state of Sinaloa, where they consumed corn tortillas. In the meantime, Arnold was given a female piglet which he named "Ursula" and that pig grew so big with all the unsold tortillas, that on one morning, when (The low season called "Piojillo") was approaching, my grandmother announced thriumphally: "I got the solution for our economic problems, we're opening a restaurant!". When Arnold asked how she proposed to finance that venture since they didn't have the money, she told Arnold that she had seen in a dream the face of "Ursula" the pig, framed by a spoon and a fork.

Ursula had to be sold, to the dismay of Arnold because she followed him like a dog and recognized his whistle. But a good son as he was, raised within the strict catholic doctrine, he abided his mother's wishes. [I was told that he cried all the way to Mexicali (He was 19 years old)] where Ursula had to be sold. When they got to the place of sale, she refused to got off the truck and worker hit her on the snout with a shovel, breaking her front teeth and sending a gush of blood. Arnold seeing this had to be contained by the two friends that accompanied him from smothering the man!) This were the beginnings of a successful business enterprise: Arnold's Del Mar motel & cafe that for over 24 operated in which nowadays is the site of another successful business: The Rockodile!

Part 2

At the begining grandma Casey Hellin didn't know anything about the restaurant business, but being the entrepenur she was she went around this small pitfall as follows; everytime an american customer asked for a dish she didn't know how to prepare she would tell them " I'm sorry Sir/Madam, our cook is ill today and I don't know how to prepare your order, if you would be so kind as to step into the kitchen and show me how I'll be glad to do so!" the customer would look around at the three or four rickety tables in the place, knowing that she couldn't afford to pay a cook and with a knowing smile would follow grandma to the kitchen and so she would stand right next to the customer and learned the dishes the customer liked!(Pretty savy, don't you think? You can corroborate this story and many more if you vist George Limon at "GEORGE'S",he used to work for grandma's, also ask him for the whereabouts of Mike, another long time colaborator who owns a "campo" just north of town). As a matter of fact, George used "ARNOLD'S CAFE" logo on his menu wich is a Marlin being pulled out of the water and also printed on it a saying my mother Olga Hellin used :"A MEAL WITHOUT WINE IS LIKE A DAY WITHOUT SUNSHINE". Casey Hellin was a great asset for San Felipe, she was in very good standing in the political and business scene both in Mexicali (Where she also had another restaurant called "Los Pericos" on Zaragoza Ave. and "I" street during the 50's to offset the low season in San Felipe, but this story will come later!) She advocated and lobbied for the introduction of potable water in town, also for recognition and better services for the tourist industry by the municipal government, another person you may want to contact for more details about Casey's persona is Tavo Garcia's mother,"Dona Maria" at "Botica Sagrado Corazon" who knew her very well (You can ask Tavo to translate).

It is a shame that very few people recall her name nowadays, mostly because none of her family members have gone to the task to preserve her memory alive,until now. I would really like to see those memories brought to the fore, since they represent a valuable part of San Felipe's history.

David K - 3-7-2011 at 08:49 AM

Here is a San Felipe map showing the post 1967 paved main street at the end of Hwy. 5... From the 1970 Cliff Cross Baja Guide:

David K - 3-7-2011 at 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mcfez

Quote:

Got to say....havent new it was that bad in SF. Can you refer me to any websites on this account? Thanks David.

Here is the link Deno: http://www.sanfelipe.com.mx/history/epilogue.html

Here is the contents:

Hurricane Katerina

On September 1, 1967, San Felipe was stricken by the full fury of a tropical hurricane named Katerina. Generally, tropical hurricanes turn inland far south of San Felipe. However, hurricane Katerina struck the village as did similar storms in 1931 and 1953.

Like her predecessors, Katerina was spawned in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Central America. Nurtured by the warm Pacific water, she began to take a northwesterly path paralleling the western coast of Mexico, approximately one hundred miles off shore. The hurricane entered the Gulf of California and continued throughout the following day and as darkness settled the precipitation became more intense. By the early morning of September 1, strong winds began to develop, reaching their full force within a few hours. Wind and rain easily penetrated the walls and roofs of the villager's frail dwellings. Huge swells began developing with the bay, as fishing vessels pitched severely. Some pulled free from anchorages and were tossed upon the beach, only to be pounded by crashing waves (plate 35). On shore, the heavy rainfall could not be absorbed by the baked desert soil. As a result, water surged off nearby mountain faces into canyons to form torrents in arroyos. The water bolted down three dry channels deepening and widening what had been shallow, narrow depressions traversing the village.

The evidence of the disaster can be seen on the landscape. Three channels now deeply scar the arid landscape from the mountains to the sea (plate 36). Large sections of the highway to the village have been washed away (plate 37). Huge amounts of sand were deposited on the village (plate 38). Numerous houses and trees were undermined and swept away. Water from the largest arroyo was deflected from the commercial district by a small volcanic knob within the village. The diverted water raced into the tidal lagoon and drained out to sea. Rushing water from another channel destroyed a small landing strip and undermined part of a beach front hotel. Most of the village's houses and shops escaped damage, save for leaky roofs and muddy floors.

(Go to web link to see photos)

The fishing fleet was hard hit. Half of the twenty-five vessel fleet suffered structural damage or total destruction and every vessel was in need of some repair.

When news of the storm was received, relief groups from Mexico and the United States sent food, clothing, and building materials to San Felipe. Rebuilding and repairing of homes began almost immediately, but a great amount of time and labor will be required before the fleet will reach pre-storm levels. The shrimp and totuava catches will probably be low for seasons.

After striking San Felipe, Katerina moved overland and the force of the wind and rain dissipated. Except for the temporary evidence of damage, the village remains the same. The stores have reopened. The boats are under repair. The people have been rebuilding and the tourists are returning.

[Edited on 3-7-2011 by David K]

Wikipedia 1967 Hurricane season

David K - 3-7-2011 at 09:24 AM

The 1967 Pacific hurricane season started on June 1, 1967 and ended on November 30, 1967. The season was of little note except for Hurricanes Katrina and Olivia. Katrina made landfall on the Baja Peninsula, killing at least 60 and make 2500 homeless.

Hurricane Katrina Category 1 hurricane (SSHS)

Duration August 30 – September 3
Intensity 85 mph (140 km/h) (1-min)

The first storm to make landfall, Katrina formed on the 30th of August. It became the third hurricane of the season 30 hours after it was named. The night that Katrina became a hurricane, she made landfall on the Baja Peninsula with winds of 85 miles (137 km) per hour. She emerged soon after and paralleled the peninsula until making landfall at the head of the Bay of California. She rapidly weakened to a tropical depression and dissipated over Arizona.[14]
In Mexico, Katrina caused significant damage to parts of San Felipe. A total of 2500 people were left homeless and 60 ships were sunk. At least one person was killed.[15]

Martyman - 3-7-2011 at 10:39 AM

We camped on those dunes in 1971. The dunes were full of thieves waiting for you to go in swimming. We did and they did...rip us off that is. Somehow we found enough change to get home. Bummer trip.

CortezBlue - 3-7-2011 at 11:11 AM

After reading some of the headings of these photos, I think you should tell some stories about your young days in San Felipe back in the 60's.

I especially liked the fact that you met your future wife there, that is very cool.